Colorado Unit 64/65 1st rifle season questions

[awcopeland]

I was pretty fortunate to draw a 1st rifle season tag for both deer and elk in units 64 and 65 this year. I’ve done a bit of e scouting and recently took a trip with the family to see the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

I have a few generic questions and some that I would like to take to PM if anyone is willing.

As far as equipment, I have everything I need to survive and most is relatively light weight. If I make any purchases for this year, it’ll likely be a lighter tripod and head ( thinking Aziak backcountry with one of the Wiser heads). I’m looking to use a lightweight bivy with a DCF Seek Outside Eolus, a Thermarest Neoair Xtherm with a Katabatic 22 degree quilt.

For clothing I plan to pack a puffy jacket and pants but will be using some SG Dehaviland lite for pants (or maybe the new Outdoor Vitals pants) with a pair of long johns for cold temps. For upper body, I plan to use a lightweight merino base layer and take my Sitka Ambient Hoodie. I’ll bring along a lightweight rain jacket, a beanie, and 2 sets of gloves.

Generic questions:

• Do you see any flaws with my gear
• Mosquito expectations? I assume they’ll mostly be dormant for the fall/winter.
• Do most roads get impassible with light snow, or do they hold up well unless people get dumb/large amounts of moisture? What is considered a large amount of moisture?
• I’ve been told that unit 65 specifically is pretty thick, so I don’t plan to pack in my spotter (I’ll leave it at the truck). I plan to take my 10x42 leupold BX-5 on my chest and my 16x42 Sig Zulu6 Gen 1 in my pack. Should I pack in a tripod, or save the weight? My current tripod and head are ~3.5 lbs.
• I haven’t hunted or camped much above 9k’ in October, so I’m weary about butane canister stove. In your experience, should I prioritize a white gas set up?

I’ve packed out an elk solo before in the Gila Wilderness and I may have to do that again this year. I also realize that October could bring a wide range of weather and that some of my questions could be considered rather vague because of this.

Any input would be welcome and appreciated. Feel free to PM me if that is your preference as information passed openly is out there forever.

 

[CoMulies]

I’ve run isopro with a pocket rocket stove at 11.5k and in the teens during second rifle without issue. You’ll be fine.

 

[il_cop]

First rifle can be hot. If it snows, most years it doesn't hang around more than a day or two. As always during the fall, check the weather. Anymore, your more likely to have bluebird days with highs in the 50s than storm days with multiple days below freezing.

Ive never experienced mosquitos. I don't even experience them now, in the middle of summer. I'm about 90 min northeast of 64.

I'm not familiar with image stabilizing nockers. Can't comment on the tripod.

I almost always carry a spotter and a tripod. Mostly because if the area is new, I'm glassing far to figure it out.

Roads don't become impassable by and large until thanksgiving at the earliest (if they stay open that late). Forest service roads will be fine. Most two tracks will be fine. If it snows heavy for a few days straight then warms up, two tracks will get soupy. Bring chains if you don't want to worry.

Most likely can ditch the rain jacket.

One pair of gloves.

I don't know the weight of the sitks ambient, but if it's more than 12 oz you can likely ditch that too.

I don't know how cold you run. But when you're on the move youll be fine with a lightweight merino, if its <freezing add a lightweight fleece. When you hunker down to glass, throw on the down parka and pants. Rip them off when you're on the move again.

As said, isopro canisters will run fine.

I wouldn't worry about the weather packing out. It's just you, there's nothing else to do, hot or cold, dry or snowing. I'd spend your time figuring out a way to pack out downhill.

Hope that helps

 

[awcopeland]

I’ve run isopro with a pocket rocket stove at 11.5k and in the teens during second rifle without issue. You’ll be fine.

Thanks for the response.

 

[awcopeland]

First rifle can be hot. If it snows, most years it doesn't hang around more than a day or two. As always during the fall, check the weather. Anymore, your more likely to have bluebird days with highs in the 50s than storm days with multiple days below freezing.

Ive never experienced mosquitos. I don't even experience them now, in the middle of summer. I'm about 90 min northeast of 64.

I'm not familiar with image stabilizing nockers. Can't comment on the tripod.

I almost always carry a spotter and a tripod. Mostly because of the area is new, I'm glassing far to figure it out.

Roads don't become inpassable by and large until thanksgiving at the earliest (if they stay open that late). Forest service roads will be fine. Most two tracks will be fine. If it snows heavy for a few days straight then warms up, two tracks will get soupy. Bring chains if you don't want to worry.

Most likely can ditch the rain jacket.

One pair of gloves.

I don't know the weight of the sitks ambient, but if it's more than 12 oz you can likely ditch that too.

I don't know how cold you run. But when you're on the move youll be fine with a lightweight merino, if its <freezing add a lightweight fleece. When you hunker down to glass, throw on the down parka and pants. Rip them off when you're on the move again.

As said, isopro canisters will run fine.

I wouldn't worry about the weather packing out. It's just you, there's nothing else to do, hot or cold, dry or snowing. I'd spend your time figuring out a way to pack out downhill.

Hope that helps

That helps a lot.

I tend to run cold in the woods, so I'm somewhat willing to pack my fears in that sense. I'll make sure to monitor the weather and make a "game time" decision on that and have things available.

The gen 1 image stabilized aren't good enough to glass miles away like some spotters IMO. I just hate packing the weight of my spotter during a hunt as it's ~4.5 lbs. I did it last year on an archery hunt close to home and really regretted it. I'm also not really trying to kill a monster of either species. I am prioritizing reps in the red zone and bringing home some meat.

Thanks again for your input.