Advice on solo elk hunt or not and more

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Jan 1, 2019
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Thanks guys.this site got me out west for the first time last year with my son and he harvested a cow elk. We are hooked and headed back. I am working out everyday lost 25 lbs and have 2 trips planned. First is a southern colorado muzzleloader bull draw with cow as second choice, date starts September 14th.my sons in school and will be able to go on 3rd rifle hunt later in year.
Guys I wanted to hunt muzzleloader with are long time friends . I’m 54 and they are a bit older. From reading posts on here recently my questions are

They aren’t committed to being In Top shape. I may not get into the shape I want but I dam well gave it my best effort ...Should I go Alone?
Camp and or sleep in back of my suburban. Possible a room here or there to stay mobile. Not locked into one place if I don’t find em.

I see BLM Land and forest land. Should I bring my side by side Polaris . I don’t know the regs other than to register it for a sticker. Will I regret not having it ?

What mystery ranch pack, pintler or similar or is it to large for day trips. I like the frame. They are big and after processing the cow our selves. And boy we love elk meat. I realize the pack can really matter to haul it out. . I am thinking day trips this year possible overnight later on. But not a few days.

Thanks for any advice. And thanks to all of you who respond to all the newbie posts. I know we a get a bit annoying.

Robert
 
Joined
Sep 23, 2017
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Do not bring those guys. You may want to hang out with them- longtime buddies what have you- but I promise they are not who you want to elk hunt with and in guarantee you will resent them in the future and consider them to have stolen a year of your life. And quite frankly at your age with one elk hunt under your belt- you don’t have elk years to throw away. You need to go solo or with someone as committed as you

Without knowing (and not asking or wanting you to say) where you’re going and assuming you can crank out 5-7 mile days under a light load for 5 days I vote pintler or popup 28 and sleep in the suburban with capability to bivy out if needed.

You don’t need to be hardcore, you do need to be fit, mentally tough and very committed, and well able to cover ground with both glass and boots acccording to the hand your dealt
 
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5MilesBack

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They aren’t committed to being In Top shape. I may not get into the shape I want but I dam well gave it my best effort ...Should I go Alone?

That depends. I've seen a lot of ML camps with a bunch of old guys in them just hanging out for the most part, hardly ever even leaving camp. And that's fine, but even if that's the case you could still venture out on your own every day.

As for the side-by-side, that depends on what vehicle you have. I haven't found a place where a side-by-side was any better or desirable than my 4x4.
 

TravisIN

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I went alone for my first trip ever out west last year. Finding someone who wants to hunt like I do that’s will to backpack in is tough. I enjoyed being solo bc I like being able to do my own thing and make my own decisions. Ideally I’d find someone to go with and camp with but split up for the actual hunt or even go our own from the truck. Company sure would have been nice for the drive out though. It took some convincing to make the wife comfortable with it. I have started planning an Alaska trip for a few years from now but the wife is pretty dead set on me finding someone to go with. So it may take me a few years to convince her on that!


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jmez

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No reason not to take them as long as the ground rules are laid out very clearly to everyone before you go. Communication will solve any issues with this. Be specific with them that you are not going to allow them to negatively affect your hunt. Then you need to also be the type of person that isn't going to feel guilty once you get there and actually let them affect you.
 

GregB

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If your buddies are fine with you going off on your own to hunt because they can't or won't go as far as you and they understand that up front it wouldn't hurt to bring them. It's nice to have someone to talk to back at camp. Maybe it will motivate them to get in better shape next year. Just don't let them hold you back from doing what you want to do. I try to stay mobile when elk hunting if I don't see elk or very fresh sign I move on. So sleeping in the back of your rig or having a quick camp set up is a good idea. I usually set up a tarp throw a pad and bag on the ground for camp. I don't own an ATV or Mystery Ranch packs so can't help there.
 
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Having a SXS or ATV can be a good thing depending on the area. Less likely to get stuck in bad weather. Some access to trailheads or areas could be very tough on a truck. You can usually get around faster on bad roads too. If you have a group then the 2 vehicles could be used for guys to go different directions.
 
OP
W
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No they can’t cook but one is a veterinarian, so he can and has stitched us and our dogs up in the past.
The reply’s are what I needed. Big help. I think if I’m honest with them and they are honest with me We will figure out if it’s going to strain our friendship. We go to South Dakota several times a year and put 8 to 10 a day in heavy cattails . My son and I hunt hard sun up to sun down. Not as bad as out west but people we take can’t do it they head back to motel. No that that’s bad but we love the hunt and I can sleep in January. I think it’s what is drawing me to the elk, a new challenge at my stage of life, i’ve Been working for my kids, wife and everyone and everything else . Some alone time may not be bad if that’s the way it goes. I may ask for more advice from those who are new and have done it.
My suburban is 4x4 and I think a tent to stay a night over and a bag will work. I’m gonna talk to my buddies soon.
 
OP
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O points
Hope to draw bull, if not cow is good. I process myself and it’s one of the best things when you give a friend some packages of meat or susuage .
 
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My 2 cents then, given there's not a bunch of points being spent involved. My 80 year old grandfather comes with on all our hunts. He doesn't go far from camp, sometimes not even 300 yards from it. But, he's a great conversationalist and encourages everyone else to hunt hard. He doesn't complain or attempt to hold anyone back in any regard. I dread the day he doesn't want to come with. If you feel your buddies will do similar AND you set proper expectations I fully encourage you to bring them with.

On the other hand, if you're the guy going in deep and getting into elk and they aren't working for it, and you think they're the type to complain or seek to drag you down in anyway, that's different. The mind is more important than the body, and negative vibes eat away at anyone's resolve. Don't let them do that, and if they're true long time friends AND you set proper expectations they won't.

The woods can get lonely for most people, and stuff happens, so I'd never steer someone to go alone. But, make sure your guys know what they're getting themselves into if they go, and if they just want to get away from the wife on a nice camping trip that's cool too. You'll get to be the storyteller around the fire.
 

GPool1842

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I am excited for you.. and reading your post, I can tell that you are excited. Don’t shy away from going alone. It will be an amazing experience for you.

I was dead set on elk hunting last year. Brother was not able to go so I went alone. First elk hunt, 9 days, solo, backpacked in with my longbow, to a place I have never been. I didn’t speak to another person the entire time. Only time I saw people was hiking in and out.

I’m a very family oriented guy and have two jealous brothers and a cousin wanting to go this year. In all honesty, it’s hard for me to not want to go alone again. It was a life changing experience.

I did send a group text this weekend letting them know my expectations regarding their gear, preparation, etc. If they don’t show commitment, plans will change. Nothing will stop me though. Does the uncertainty around them and the next 8 months affect application strategy? Yes. But in reality, I can’t expect them to have the level of passion for elk that I do now if they have never gone. You gotta go to know. I think about elk every day now.

Western hunting isn’t for everyone. Car camping and day trips will make bringing others easier though. Be transparent with them on your day to day plans. You are getting in shape and ready to get in there. Leave them in the dust and let them do their own thing. Just let them know that nicely now.

As for the bag, the MR pintler is a great bag for day trips and hauling meat. I used one all season and hauled a couple whitetail with it.

I’m rooting for you!
 

davsco

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yep, super clear communication and even go thru some scenarios (someone tags out early, some is sick, tired, injured, wants to hit another spot, etc). having two vehicles will give y'all more options out there (one can hotel and one can camp, two different hunting spots, one group can stay in town and rest for a day, etc).
 
OP
W
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I think about elk everyday also, don’t tell anyone that. But I like the idea of 2 trucks and being totally up front on all aspects. Like stoping to haul meat, try different spots. I’m going with the pintler. Is gohunt a sponsor here?
 

LaGriz

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Wentworth6,

You have all the good advice you need. If you are good friends with these guys I would roll with it.

Have your own transportation available, and a clear understanding with the group. Your buds need to be ready work together once an animal is down. Let them know what kind of an effort will be needed if successful. September weather will not be too forgiving, and meat care is an important part of the hunt.

Having people know your whereabouts is a good plan too. Consider a Garmin Explorer com device. I like the idea of having a vet in camp. It could be a symbiotic relationship. In the event you should tag out early, you may be a big help to the group. Your ability to cover more ground and report back to the group after day hikes could be really helpful to them. You might locate a park, meadow, wallows or other hot location your friends are unaware of. It gets pretty lonesome after a few days of solo effort. A night in camp with the guys might be good for your piece of mind and get you recharged for another day of solo work. I think it will be a "Win Win"for all involved!

LaGriz
 
OP
W
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Thank you all for the support and advice. We are going to have a call this weekend and really figure out all our goals, not just mine. Make sure we all understand and want to move forward and they are in all the way or out. I’m feeling better about either decision after your posts. At 54 I need to get out there every year and enjoy it. My son who’s 16 is eat up with hunting and I want to get where we go on a hunt at least each year. His cow elk this year was the first elk we had ever touched. You find out how many friends you have when everyone hears you have elk meat. My wife’s hairdresser hit her up, crazy.


Thanks to all of you again.
 

5MilesBack

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We are going to have a call this weekend and really figure out all our goals, not just mine. Make sure we all understand and want to move forward and they are in all the way or out.

I would just make sure that you have your own vehicle, your own shelter, and your own gear so worst case scenario you can do whatever you have to do. That way they can do whatever they want to do, and you can do the same if need be.
 
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