First elk hunt planning thread

[camping1601]

Yeah, I was planning on leaving after work, drive for 5 hours, then pull a couple 12 or 13 hour days to make it the rest of the way. If I have to drive myself that is.

That is the schedule I use from PA. I usually get there in the afternoon and just chill out for the night. The next morning I sleep-in. I've found it best in the long run to go slow the first couple days and get acclimated. I've hiked in 16 States including NY NH MD and I assure you you have all the terrain you need to train up there but there's nothing you can do about the elevation. Cardio and go slow at first. The single biggest thing for me is fatigue from the trip and starting too hard.

 

[nirvanafan]

For meat care...I have never had to travel long distances with quarters before so this may be a silly question. Are you planning on processing it yourself when you get back to NY? Or do you have a processor that you like to use back home? There are a couple of great game processors in Montrose that can turn an elk around pretty quick. The guy I go to likes to give the locals a 7 day turn around so he can get the out-of-towners out the door quick (24 - 48 hours, I think). I have no idea if it is better/easier to travel with a blob of deboned meat or small, neat, frozen paper wrapped packages that can be kept cool with dry ice. Maybe someone else on here has experience with that.

I process all my own game. It takes me about 4 hours to cut up a whitetail, so I figure it will take 8 for an elk. I'll enlist the help of my father (who is faster than me) in exchange for some meat. So, we should be able to do it in a day, taking beer breaks as necessary.

That said, if you could PM me your guys name and phone number, it would be great. I'm always willing to collect more info and it never hurts to think about things.

 

[nirvanafan]

That is the schedule I use from PA. I usually get there in the afternoon and just chill out for the night. The next morning I sleep-in. I've found it best in the long run to go slow the first couple days and get acclimated. I've hiked in 16 States including NY NH MD and I assure you you have all the terrain you need to train up there but there's nothing you can do about the elevation. Cardio and go slow at first. The single biggest thing for me is fatigue from the trip and starting too hard.

Thanks, the driving confirmation is good info. I've got some good trails around me that should simulate the steepness of the terrain. I just have to start hiking them and increasing the pack weight a pound or two a week. Nothing I can do about the elevation.

Do you take any supplements (drink mixes, vitamins, etc) or medications while at elevation? I've looked into diamox, but my doctor knew nothing about it and seemed hesitant when I brought it up during my physical last fall.

 

[camping1601]

Thanks, the driving confirmation is good info. I've got some good trails around me that should simulate the steepness of the terrain. I just have to start hiking them and increasing the pack weight a pound or two a week. Nothing I can do about the elevation.

Do you take any supplements (drink mixes, vitamins, etc) or medications while at elevation? I've looked into diamox, but my doctor knew nothing about it and seemed hesitant when I brought it up during my physical last fall.

I personally don't take any kind of supplement but I do bring powdered drink mix. The mix helps keep me drinking fluids. I have no experience with the meds, but my wife seen a doctor that was a well traveled hiker and he wasn't a fan of it. Maybe some more experienced guys can chime in on these two things.

How far from North Central PA are you? This is the second best time of year for hiking here.

 

[nirvanafan]

I live in one of the suburbs around Rochester NY. It takes me about 2 hours to get to Mansfield PA. I wish I was closer to the Adirondacks. I love the hiking up there, but it is a long drive for a day hike. I usually just hike where I hunt and do some scouting while I'm huffing for air.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[ckleeves]

It's a fun drive lol! I live in Montrose but I'm actually working in Buffalo right now and have made the trek a few times. Took 3 days but I was pulling a trailer each time.

 

[archer wapiti]

I'd skip the diamox. I took it once at for a trip to 4,000 m in Peru, and don't like the tingly feeling it gives my fingers. Stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and if possible spend a night or two at middle elevation to acclimatize.
I had pulmonary edema once from going from sea level to 4,000 m in a day. The second night I woke up with water in my lungs. I came down that morning and felt fine immediately. Work your way back up, sleeping lower and hunt higher during the day. There's a lot more authoritative resources out there than what I just said, so do your research so you know how to deal with it if it happens.

 

[PA 5-0]

Do you take any supplements (drink mixes, vitamins, etc) or medications while at elevation? I've looked into diamox, but my doctor knew nothing about it and seemed hesitant when I brought it up during my physical last fall.

IMO, Diamox is a little extreme for an elk hunt. Eating Rolaids can help with acclimation. Don't know the chemistry but one of my Ortho Docs is a serious mountaineer type and suggested it years ago. I found it to work well. As someone else suggested, take it slow the first couple days. Denver is a mile high, maybe stay in town wherever you're hunting the first night, probably higher than Denver. Go in the next day and set up a camp, maybe 8000-8500, depending on where you're hunting. I'm a PA flatlander with major sinus issues and I usually don't get bothered til around 9500+. So for the first few days, I try to stay below or close to that altitude until my body adjusts. Every body is different, so when the nasty headache sets in, just drop down.

As far as drink mixes, I swear by them. Your body will appreciate the help. You would be surprised how good powered Gatorade is in the morning mixed in hot water. I always have something in my water to help keep me in the game, whether it be a powder or the liquid type additives. Propel makes a great liquid additive. MNTN OPS has some great products too.

Keeping my fingers crossed for the CO draw !!! Best of luck brother, Dan

 

[GotDraw?]

Slightly off topic, be very careful of deer if driving at night around Ouray-Montrose area. The road is narrow and they graze right on the shoulder.

 

[archer wapiti]

IMO, Diamox is a little extreme for an elk hunt. Eating Rolaids can help with acclimation. Don't know the chemistry but one of my Ortho Docs is a serious mountaineer type and suggested it years ago. I found it to work well. As someone else suggested, take it slow the first couple days. Denver is a mile high, maybe stay in town wherever you're hunting the first night, probably higher than Denver. Go in the next day and set up a camp, maybe 8000-8500, depending on where you're hunting. I'm a PA flatlander with major sinus issues and I usually don't get bothered til around 9500+. So for the first few days, I try to stay below or close to that altitude until my body adjusts. Every body is different, so when the nasty headache sets in, just drop down.

As far as drink mixes, I swear by them. Your body will appreciate the help. You would be surprised how good powered Gatorade is in the morning mixed in hot water. I always have something in my water to help keep me in the game, whether it be a powder or the liquid type additives. Propel makes a great liquid additive. MNTN OPS has some great products too.

Keeping my fingers crossed for the CO draw !!! Best of luck brother, Dan

Never heard of the Rolaids trick. It could be as simple as the placebo effect.
Remember that dehydration also causes headaches. Stay hydrated!

 

[nirvanafan]

IMO, Diamox is a little extreme for an elk hunt. Eating Rolaids can help with acclimation. Don't know the chemistry but one of my Ortho Docs is a serious mountaineer type and suggested it years ago. I found it to work well. As someone else suggested, take it slow the first couple days. Denver is a mile high, maybe stay in town wherever you're hunting the first night, probably higher than Denver. Go in the next day and set up a camp, maybe 8000-8500, depending on where you're hunting. I'm a PA flatlander with major sinus issues and I usually don't get bothered til around 9500+. So for the first few days, I try to stay below or close to that altitude until my body adjusts. Every body is different, so when the nasty headache sets in, just drop down.

As far as drink mixes, I swear by them. Your body will appreciate the help. You would be surprised how good powered Gatorade is in the morning mixed in hot water. I always have something in my water to help keep me in the game, whether it be a powder or the liquid type additives. Propel makes a great liquid additive. MNTN OPS has some great products too.

Keeping my fingers crossed for the CO draw !!! Best of luck brother, Dan

Thanks for the info. I'll keep some Rolaids in the med kit. Warm Gatorade makes me think of Tang, which I always drank as a kid when I had a cold. Thanks for all the other info. I'll keep it in mind.

 

[nirvanafan]

Slightly off topic, be very careful of deer if driving at night around Ouray-Montrose area. The road is narrow and they graze right on the shoulder.

Thanks for the heads up. Are there deer warning signs on the side of the road? There are tons of deer where I grew up. I hit 4 in my first 8 years of driving. Nothing you can do when they just bolt out of the trees and come out of nowhere. I'll make sure to stay alert around that area for sure.

Never heard of the Rolaids trick. It could be as simple as the placebo effect.
Remember that dehydration also causes headaches. Stay hydrated!

I drink between 2 and 3 liters of water a day now. I have gout (just got over first attack) and that can be exacerbated by not drinking enough. I'm sure I'll have to drink more when at altitude and under heavy physical exertion. Hopefully the altitude sickness is mild.

 

[Bar]

Try this.

http://wildernessathlete.com/collections/nutrition/products/altitude-advantage

 

[Fisher624]

Last year was my first time hunting out west, I'm from PA. I would recommend you check out the Catskills. They are closer to you than the ADK and there's plenty of steep climbs to be had.
As has been stated, the altitude is the difference. And no eastern mountains can give you that.
Whenever I hit 10000 last year I started really feeling it.

 

[trekker9]

We used to hunt deer in Northern Maine every year. It was a 22 to 24 hour trip from NW Ohio to the Allagash wilderness.

This will be our first year in Colorado. Drive time will be almost exact. 2 Provigils and drive straight thru. Hunting time is too valuble to make it a 3 day drive.

 

[elkguide]

I agree with the drive right through. I also agree with the need to adapt to the altitude. Allagash Wilderness area has little bumps compared to the western mountains and the west has "low octane air" which will really give your lungs the worst case of spark knock you have ever experienced.

 

[Buglebrush]

We always take our boned out meat like this. a layer of ice on the bottom followed by a layer of meat. then salt. then ice. then meat. then salt.... ETC open the drains on the bottom and just keep adding ice on top. Makes the most delicious burger you've ever had!

 

[ScottinPA]

Good info here.

I'm planning a solo DIY elk archery hunt this year. Drive plan is similar to above with longer stretches and I'm going solo. I like the idea of starting slow though it'll be tough dialing it back once I get there.
I brought an elk home from MT in 2014. Boned out it would've fit in a couple of 100qt coolers easily. A buddy and I built a big cooler and used it. It was frozen solid when we left and 2 days later, was still solid. Key is keeping it closed and sealed. I've used duct tape at lid seam.

 

[Ghillie_55]

I can't wait to hear your story as the year progresses! Buddy and I are planning our first hunt for 2017.

Did you have any points accumulated before you applied for 65?

 

[Tejasbow]

man there are a lot of guys that spend a lot of time acclimating to the Altitude.

My message is to the guys that do not have 2 weeks to put into a hunt. I spend a week camping in colorado 8-10k with hikes above timberline in the summer and have been Elk hunting at 11, 12k feet.
I do both of these without the days of preparation as discussed here. I believe everyone is different and bodies do not all react the same. But I stay hydrated and have never had any issues. Not to say that it would not be nice to spend a few days getting used to the elevation. But for many people a week is all you get. Do not be scared to drive up spend the after noon glassing and hit the trail first thing in the morning.

Hydration hydration hydration. Get your body ready for the weight and work. There is no way to prepare your lungs for the change in altitude. But prepare your body where the only thing your fighting is altitude not normal body fatigue.