Expectations for first trip

[idahohikker]

If you want to go cheap, it's possible to get a 4 man tent and split it up between a few guys and sleep in a sleeping bag with no pad. Been there, done that. We backpacked in 4 miles. Obviously it's nice to build your equipment up which will decrease weight and add quality but with good boots and simple clothes to keep you warm, you don't need a lot to get out there hunting.

I like backpacking without a stove personally. It's pretty popular these days for good reason.

As a newbie, covering lots of ground in different directions will probably increase your odds. You can carry camp on your back if it makes sense to kind of loop around to the truck.

 

[TexAg09]

As far as learning the mountains, as a fellow flat land Texan I"d say to not drop down into canyons or basins unless you absolutely have to too. I hunt some thick steep stuff in Utah, and it sucks. Stay up along the ridges as much as you can without skylining yourself. Even if that means going around instead of a direct route. I learned that the hard way my first scouting trip.

 

[1shotgear]

I’m pouring a lot of time and sweat into getting ready for a 2019 trip. Yesterday, something hit me like a rock. I realized that I’m running a great chance of seeing nothing, much less killing something, my first trip out. But, I don’t want that to be a reason I don’t go on the trip. So, I got a list of expectations together that I’d like some input on by the seasoned guys here.

1) learn how to truly camp. This trip will help me start figuring out necessary gear
2) learn the mountains. Coming from a flat part of Texas, I need to learn how to navigate and just get up and down these things.
3) learn real-world elk behavior.
4) have fun. No point in being there if I’m so worried about killing that I don’t enjoy the sunrises and potentially hearing elk bugle.


Anything you guys would add or subtract from this list?

I agree with the comments, research the area as much as possible. Have the gear set up ready to go before you walk out the front door. Having the wrong gear could potentially end the hunt. Just have fun with it, and enjoy being in the mountains. They are a pretty cool thing to be around. They can also be sketchy if you're not prepared for a back country hunt.

 

[CX5Ranch]

If you think killing an elk is the only reason to head west then you've already missed the boat my friend.

 

[trophyhill]

Well first off, I would expect to kill something every morning when I roll out of my tent. And not get down on yourself when you blow an opportunity. Your next opportunity could be 50' from where you just blew it. The other stuff as far as gear, camping etc will be fluid and change continuously from year to year. You have plenty of time to learn about elk from now til then, and to learn where elk will likely be found. Set your goals high, and "never give up.....ever"!

 

[fap1800]

If you think killing an elk is the only reason to head west then you've already missed the boat my friend.

Apparently you didn’t read the entire OP or didn’t fully comprehend what he was saying...


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[CX5Ranch]

Uh ya he mentioned twice he was worried about not getting an elk.

 

[Beendare]

Anything you guys would add or subtract from this list?

Good attitude...I must have missed it rifle or Bow?

If its bow....feel free to PM me with any questions or if you need help.

 

[fap1800]

Uh ya he mentioned twice he was worried about not getting an elk.

See 4). Pretty clear to me.


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[WV Mountaineer]

Do your physical work getting ready. Do your homework where you intend to hunt and have multiple plans or areas to fall back on. And, go with the intent to kill something. It is very likely to happen with these three things covered.

 

[Gerard Marcaurele]

Good attitude...I must have missed it rifle or Bow?

If its bow....feel free to PM me with any questions or if you need help.

Early season bow. Thinking first-second week of September.

 

[CX5Ranch]

Good attitude is probably the best advice on here. Even though it seems this forum can have a multitude of hen pecking there is great advice to be had. If you are in top shape and can get to the elk with a sane mind...the rest is easy.

 

[FlyGuy]

This raises another goal/question: I would like to be able to hike in and spike out somewhere closer to the elk instead of jumping it into the country each day. Is this something a newbie possibly hunting with newbies could do without spending 1000s on a tent and bag/pad?

Absolutely. My 1st spike out was with a $70 tarp, a crappy cabelas pad and a 15 year old Northface Cat's Meow bag.

Depending on elevation and general area, if you are going early September then nighttime temps are probably going to be in the low 40° to upper 30° (generally speaking). You can certainly get away with a lot more in those conditions verses a late season rifle. If the weather turns and pushes the limits of your system then you just hunt from a truck/base camp and have to walk a little more. No biggie. Don't let your gear budget prevent you from going. For the most part, less expensive gear is either heavier or it's intended for milder conditions. So maybe you have to hunt from basecamp a few nights due to bad weather, or maybe your sleep system weighs 5# more. So what. You are hunting. And neither of those things will prevent you from killing an elk.

You've got plenty of time to be patient and research gear that fits your budget and your needs, and everyone on here likes to talk gear so their is no shortage of guidance. Once you have a few good options in mind then just hawk the classifieds and eBay for the right deal on used gear and gradually put together your system. Make sure to add in some water purification equipment and a small MSR/Jetboil type of stove. Can get used for under $100.

Congratulations on the upcoming new addition to the family. That makes sense now why you have your sights set on 2019. Use this time as best you can. Try to work in some overnight camping close to home to get more familiar with setting up and breaking down. It takes a while to figure out a system that works best, and for me it changes a bit everytime I add/upgrade something in my kit. Anyway, dont fret over what you dont have. Everyone has to start somewhere, just enjoy the process.

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[BKhunter]

I did my first trip last year and it was an awesome experience. The things I did to get ready were a few overnight and multi night back packing trips here in the Adirondacks and Catskill mountains in NY. It helped my learn my gear and see what worked and what didn't. I know peoples opinions vary wildly here, but being in the best shape possible can only help you. You don't want to get out there and be disheartened by day 2 or 3 which impacts your hunt. I wasn't able to go out and scout before so I was hunting on the fly by hiking 7-9 miles a day. I set up camp about 1/2 mile from the truck and walked a clover pattern each day. While I did not see elk, I saw mule deer and moose. I did however see elk sign. I went right after labor day so I don't know if it was to warm or what I did wrong, but I do know I can't wait to go again. Did I put an elk on the ground or see them, No. Was my trip a success, Yes!!!! I set out to go backcountry elk hunting and live out of my tent for a week and I did it Solo. I wish I could find hunting partners to do this with, but in the meantime I now know I can do to this and will go as many times as I can until I can find viable hunting partners. Good luck out there!

 

[5MilesBack]

Well, you have to have fun. Otherwise why the heck would you be out there? But there's no reason that you can't have fun and kill an elk.......as killing elk is fun. Finding elk isn't difficult, they inhabit just about every terrain we have in Colorado and in some cases.....year round. Make sure your calling is decent, play the wind, be patient, and hunt the whole day. You'll learn more than you can imagine, even in one trip.

 

[LostArra]

Keep a positive mental attitude. Easy to type but not so easy when you have been hiking for 2-3 days and not seen or heard an elk. You will question yourself. Do I move to Plan B? You find yourself just walking rather than hunting. Then you ramble over the next hill and all hell breaks loose as you scatter elk in every direction because you let your mind wander and quit "hunting".

In spite of folks telling you elk are "easy to find" or "easy to kill", there is a reason the success rate is around 15%. And still plenty of us plan and train all year to go back ever season.

 

[cnelk]

Approach your trip by NOT looking thru a straw hole.
Too many people focus on just a few things and miss the bigger picture.

 

[fngTony]

No matter your fitness level don’t be surprised to find yourself moving slower than expected. You’re mind will be a sponge taking it all in. That’s not a bad thing either as you make mental notes of water sources, camp spots.

Don’t be discouraged if your cyber scouted camp spot turns out to be unsuitable.

 

[fap1800]

And not get down on yourself when you blow an opportunity. Your next opportunity could be 50' from where you just blew it.

This is the truth. Last year we chased a dumb raghorn and were busted probably a handful of times by the swirling wind. But each time we'd cow call, he'd answer and come back in. After chasing him around for a while we blew yet another chance. We decided to sit down on a deadfall to take a break, eat a snack and get a drink. We're sitting there having a conversation about 10 minutes after we thought the dumb bull finally had enough of us and bailed and out of no where, he barks literally less than 50 yards from us. It was back on. We did eventually educate him enough to where he finally realized we weren't a couple of cows, but it was fun nonetheless.

 

[trophyhill]

This is the truth. Last year we chased a dumb raghorn and were busted probably a handful of times by the swirling wind. But each time we'd cow call, he'd answer and come back in. After chasing him around for a while we blew yet another chance. We decided to sit down on a deadfall to take a break, eat a snack and get a drink. We're sitting there having a conversation about 10 minutes after we thought the dumb bull finally had enough of us and bailed and out of no where, he barks literally less than 50 yards from us. It was back on. We did eventually educate him enough to where he finally realized we weren't a couple of cows, but it was fun nonetheless.

Yeah Fap. I learned early on about that. It's worse when you have a hunting partner that can't keep his mouth shut too. Thus the term "solo hunt" was coined