First Time DIYer

[Firehole Hunter]

Thanks guys. I have been planning for this year's hunt already. You gotta have goals and a 6X6 is on the list. Now don't get me wrong, if I see another 4x4 or other legal bull short of a 6X6, I will be pulling the trigger and bringing home some meat. I have a new upright freezer that needs some more organic, grass fed red meat put in it.

 

[larsonbarkurn]

I just got back from my first ever DIY elk hunt in Colorado 1st Rifle. Me and a buddy went elk hunting for the first time last year with four others on a "guided hunt" into the Flat Tops and were severely disappointed. I reasoned that I could do just as good in that I have been outfitting a deer camp in WV for numerous years. I went and bought 2 wall tents and all of the other gear necessary to be successful. Needless to say I found out after a total of 12-16 inches of snow over a week I need a few more things. Could not believe the amount of snow that I experienced during the 1st rifle season. On one morning it snowed almost 6-8 inches. Well opening day arrived and we took our positions and had a 5x4 and a cow down by 9:00 a.m. I had seen over 20 elk that morning all on public land. It was awesome day to say the least. Tried to arrange for an outfitter to haul out the meat and after promising he would and giving me a quote, he backed out 24 hours later. I am 56 years old and my partner was 61. We huffed and puffed two elk out back to camp and swore that I will never hunt again without a horse, mule, goats, lamas, etc. in camp. I have taken a break from butchering to write this and realizing that I cannot wait until next year with all of the improvements to my camp.

Congrats so far I have packed out 3 elk on my back and it is terrible while doing it.. But what an awesome time!! DIY gives yourself a different since of accomplishment.. Congrats again!

 

[larsonbarkurn]

I will be hunting with my son in the same unit this year (4th rifle Colorado) that he hard killed a nice 6x6 last year. Like many areas, it has a low success rate, but I believe the better we get to know the area, the more opportunities we will have. Last year was the first time either of us had hunted that unit. Congratulations on your hunt.

From what I can tell, getting to know an area is far more important that running around chasing success rates..

 

[larsonbarkurn]

Thanks. Not the biggest or best but he sure does taste great. I made sure I went to an area where the chance for success was high but the average age of bulls taken was going to be young. I went with an outfitter last year that was not very good and hardly saw anything. A few cows at over 2500 yards. This year I took a different approach and was very satisfied. The question I got is now do I go back to the same area or start exploring different areas to find a bigger bull? Although, I saw 3 bulls they were all very young and I got one of them. Next year I plan on bringing more hunters with me and a horse or mule to pack things out. I am kinda the outfitter for the group and they all will follow my lead.

What pack do you use for packing meat out?

 

[Firehole Hunter]

What pack do you use for packing meat out?

Kuiu 3200

 

[MtnOyster]

Congrats! Out of curiosity, what are the few more things you need for your camp??

 

[Firehole Hunter]

Tarps for the floors & roofs, plywood for floors, 2 canopies w/ side walls, another set of trekking poles (bent last pair hauling out meat and fell), some wooden bricks to hopefully burn through the night (aspen when dried is kindling or balsa wood), a new hose for the new 3 burner gas grill I recently got from Cabelas at Christmas time, a kitchenette set, some wooden shelving, more cheap indoor/outdoor carpet, boxes for cutlery and better hatchet. Looks like I am going to have 5 - 6 people in camp. II have a 14x16 tent that can sleep 5 tightly. That's why I need the canopies outside the tents. One for the sleeping tent and the other for the cook shack.

 

[ridgerunner22]

Solid work!