Changes for next year...

[Zsyacsure]

New boots for sure and more cold weather gear.

 

[Obsessed1]

I'd like a larger tipi

 

[EVD]

New string on the bow.

Finding new partners that hunt in a similar manner, focusing on 2 person setups and swapping up calling. I am the one typically calling, and while I do really enjoy getting others shot opportunities, I'd love to hunt with someone that could do the same for me...

 

[4rcgoat]

Screw work!!

 

[Indian Summer]

Changes....let’s see, I haven’t hunted yet this year. Too much work to make the trip to Wyoming from Pa. for bow season. I’ve been at this for so long though that I won’t be changing much. I’ll hunt the same area using the same camps and hunting gear.

My spike camp setup is new this year. One change for 2020 will be that I don’t have to pack a wood stove and metal frame poles up the mountain. They are staying up there forever. Also a friend living there just bought a nice house with plenty of storage so my entire wall tent base camp is staying in Wyoming as well. That means if I ever had to I could fly out with clothes and some gear and hunt. Or if I drive I won’t have to pack and travel with so much crap!


I leave this Friday. Two weeks in the mountains. Can’t wait!!!

 

[GrumpyHiker]

My spike camp setup is new this year. One change for 2020 will be that I don’t have to pack a wood stove and metal frame poles up the mountain. They are staying up there forever. Also a friend living there just bought a nice house with plenty of storage so my entire wall tent base camp is staying in Wyoming as well. That means if I ever had to I could fly out with clothes and some gear and hunt. Or if I drive I won’t have to pack and travel with so much crap!

I'm not sure if I am interpreting what you are saying correctly, but please don't be one of those a*holes that leaves gear on the mountain for the rest of us to find. I can't count how many rusted out stoves I've randomly come across; its not your land its everyone's...unless its private, then I don't care what you do to trash your own land.

 

[Fullfan]

Like mentioned above, Buy my Idaho archery tag on 12/01

 

[Catahoula]

Likely just new string on the bow and I will try hunting a different area.

 

[CMF]

How’d you like that river country tent. I bought one because the price and weight looked good. Haven’t use it yet. Ended up with a seek outside cimarron I’m gonna take.

I'm trying to like it! If you search there is a thread started on it with some mods i did to help with condensation. On our hunt though we got soaked in the middle of the night, I guess the seam at the peak, but not sure. I'll have to set up and do some test with the hose to figure it out.

 

[IowaHawkeye]

New bino harness. I didn't like the Alaska guide creations range finder system. And it is noisy when stalking. Trying the ADAK.

 

[fiskeri1]

Not having a partner on the day I've got a bull on the ground two miles from the trailhead.

 

[Smallie]

New boots or add gaiters and hunt where there are actually elk. Pretty demoralizing hiking around all day in wet socks and boots only to never even lay eyes on an elk all week.

 

[Dos Perros]

This year, due to a hunting buddy's foot injury, we did our pack hikes on asphalt trails instead of in the woods. I'm not sure if it's related or not, could just be aging, but my IT band blew up after a long day of side-hilling with full packs. So next year I'm going to train on the local reservoir damn. Take a loaded pack up, across, down, across, and repeat in reverse.

 

[Dos Perros]

Also, in my gear packing for the trip, I'm going to have a clear delineation between 1) what leaves the truck on the first pack-in, 2) what gets replenished when we come out (food, fuel, wet wipes), and 3) what is held in reserve as back-ups or alternatives. Would have made trailhead organization easier.

 

[mossyhorn]

I was happy with my gear this year, felt pretty dialed. Except my calling. Didn’t call a single elk in. Hunted the same area 2 years prior, called in 2 bulls and killed one on day 3. Couldn’t figure it out. So I’d say just keep working on understanding elk.

 

[Scooter90254]

I’m going to find a way to not eat so many dehydrated meals. After 7 days all mountain houses taste the same and start to become miserable. I need a new plan.

 

[aachey]

Going from 60 to 70 pounds to shoot heavier arrow. Learned a lot on elk calling, just need/want to be able to replicate it myself.

 

[AaronFells]

I'm grateful for the days I worked out prior to the hunt and plan to be in better shape for 2020.
I will work on calling and staying dialed in on the bow. I was very happy with my gear and the Crispi Summit boots were money! Feet stayed in good shape for the 6-7 miles we hiked 6 days in a row. I went with the hammock sleep system and will make a few tweaks for next year. I had a few cold spots here and there so i'm thinking I need a liner or better insulator. Don't forget the trekking poles as they helped me off the mountain more than once...

 

[5BtoSB]

develop better calling skills and do more pre-season scouting. My gear was pretty dialed in but I feel like I didn't help my buddy out much with my limited calling abilities.

 

[AaronMColeman]

Gear-wise: better pants with some moisture resistance, better re-usable game bags, warmer boots for snow days. Tent/shelter for solo overnight trips.

Sklll-wise: always working on calling, learning better close-in calling techniques, and as always continuing to work on my fitness.