Advice for DIY CO elk hunt for newbie…..

[timekiller13]

No way I would pack in that far without knowing if there are elk there. 4-6 miles is several hours worth of hiking. If the hunting sucks, you basically blow two days, one hiking in the other hiking out.

Stay mobile. Don’t commit to an area until you know there are elk there.

 

[mad_angler]

I'll add to the chorus...

Camp at your truck. Each morning, pick a few different areas (since you have multiple guys). You can drive a few miles down the road if needed. Hike into those areas while it is still dark. Take a nap at midday. Hunt the areas until dark. Walk out in the dark. Share reports when everyone gets back to camp. You will cover 10x compared to the original plan.

You don't to put all your chips betting on a single area without knowing that there are elk there.

 

[Scott7030]

Last year was my 1st time elk hunting in Colorado. Myself and 2 buddies went. I did most of the e scouting and data analysis to decide on what units to hunt. Our plan was very similar to what you are suggesting. we where planning on doing 3-4 day trips with camp on our backs. Due to weather, extreme storms in a few units. we had to change plans and did shorter trips but still went in a few miles one way. Toward the end of the trip we had an area in mind and started to hike to our camp area 2 miles in. We where always bugling while hiking looking for a response. on the way in about 1 mile from the road I bugled in a bull and my buddy shot him with his bow. While butchering the elk, another bull was bugling around us so, we decided to make 1 trip out with all the meat. We wanted to be able to hunt there in the morning. 2 of us had 1 hind and 1 front quarter and the last guy carried the head, cape and loose meat bag. It was a hard mile out but we made it happen. Not bad for three 40-plus year old's from Michigan!

 

[CMF]

- we are thinking/hoping we can pack in 3-6 miles and hunt from there for the 6 days we will be in the mountains. Is it doable/realistic to pack in all our gear and food for 5 or 6 days?

Certainly doable. Could be passing up elk. with 4 people I'd split up. I wouldn't stay more than 2 days if you're not seeing, smelling or hearing elk.

- recommendations on a good pack that might give us the ability to do so? Thinking one pack to do everything vs two different style packs to save weight.

I have Exo K3 4800, Kuiu Pro LT 4000. Both sufficient. You might bump the Kuiu to 5500 depending on how compact your gear is.

- plan is to each have our own small/light 1 man tent. Advice on whether this is way to go? This is what they did a couple years ago but they were never out there for more than a couple nights.

Your plan will work, you'll probably end up heavier with 1 each vs 2 -2p. When our family of 5 camps together, we do a 3p and a 2p tent. Reduces pack weight and setup times.

 

[kp1992]

My suggestion is hunt in a way that gives you opportunities, but more importantly a great experience that will want to make you come back each year. Getting into elk can certainly provide this, but so can having a great camp with people you like being with. I have had years early on that were a lot more vertical than anticipated and my feet went to crap. Thought about quitting altogether. Also brought a friend of my dad's (early 60's) with one year who thought he was in good enough shape while living in MN. He wasn't and won't ever come back for a hunt. I don't think you can ever be in good enough shape that the hunt won't hurt at least a little.

 

[Rigo]

Following

 

[midwestcowboy]

However far you think you can hike out, shave off at least 25% of that.

Between elevation gain/loss, hiking through deadfall, very heavy packs, etc. it likely won't be as far as you think you can go. Speaking from personal experience of getting humbled multiple times.