First Time Elk Hunting / Solo?

[ssssnake529]

My first elk hunt was solo. All of my deer and elk hunts since have been solo as well.

Do it. Have fun. Bring a satellite messaging device like an inReach.

 

[BradNSW]

Started elk hunting two years ago at 55. First two were solo 7 day spike camps, 1 day back with wife in a trailer, followed by another 7 days on the mountain. What a blast! A bit intimidating in Idaho, seeing bear claw marks on trees and hearing wolves howl, not to mention mountain lions I never heard or saw...

Been doing the solo thing for deer for the last 10 years so I'm very comfortable for up to 10 days at a time solo if I've got a water source.

Pack out of an elk has me intimidated. Pulling out a deer 3-4 miles kicks my butt, so I have a horse packer on call, if I manage to get one down.

Been very close to some nice bull but no archery shots materialized...3rd time will be a charm (2018 tags in hand)!

 

[Bulldawg]

And taking guys is good, it's just so different on public land. On private land you don't have to worry about that person coming back haha. On public you have to worry about him coming back and then his brother, then his two buddies, and their cousins, and so forth haha.

I can see that…Just kind of took me back a little bit on how protective people are. I took quite a few people hunting back when my grandad had land hell even dragged friends there who didn't hunt, lol.

 

[Bulldawg]

But I always recommend guys don't do backpack hunt on their first elk hunt. It's overwhelming if you've never hunted elk especially on public land, you don't know what kind of country to look in and trying to do all that while lining up the logistics of a camp on your back at the same time is tough. There are many years to go hunt, and I just tell guys to set up a nice base camp the first time and be a little more mobile and have fun.

 

[cnelk]

The North Park units are pretty popular since its so close to the Front Range.
There are plenty of elk around, but they know where the private land is at.
As you know you can hunt in any direction and go up in altitude.

Solo hunting elk takes a unique sort of mental toughness. The nights are long and if you dont talk to yourself now, you will when you do a solo hunt.

I cant say if solo hunting is for you, only you can.
But you better have your poop in a group if you get an elk down.

Good luck

 

[Maverick940]

On public you have to worry about him coming back and then his brother, then his two buddies, and their cousins, and so forth haha.

Pay close attention to this phenomena. People being as they are, in terms of self preservation and the "me, mine, I" mentality so pervasive in American culture nowadays, they'll quickly throw you under the bus and take a hotspot if given the chance.

 

[TheLostTexan]

The North Park units are pretty popular since its so close to the Front Range.
There are plenty of elk around, but they know where the private land is at.
As you know you can hunt in any direction and go up in altitude.

Solo hunting elk takes a unique sort of mental toughness. The nights are long and if you dont talk to yourself now, you will when you do a solo hunt.

I have seen this statement a lot about front range hunters. So how far west do you have to go before this crowd tappers off?

And yeah I'm going to have to mentaly tough real fast on that..but seems the best way to do that is "Trial by Fire" and just keep throwing my self back in. Lol

 

[Thunder head]

The search button is your friend. All the info you need to get started into DIY public land hunting is available on websites just like this one.

Bowsites elk forum has a lot of Co. members who regularly participate. There are some serious elk killers too.

Even though I don't kill one I considered my first DIY hunt a success. I saw elk 9 out of 12 days. I got close 3 times.

Make plans A, B, C & D. That way if there are a lot of hunters in one area just head to the next.

Have you put 60 pounds in a pack and hiked with it on? This will limit where you can kill an elk and still recover it.

 

[OFFHNTN]

Without knowing much about your experience or comfort level, I also would suggest a truck camp for your first one. You should be able to bring all the comforts of home with you this way. There is a lot to learn about hunting, what to pack, food, elk, etc. And as cnelk mentioned, if you've never hunted solo before, there is a mental aspect of being all alone day after day and night after night that you need to be comfortable with. You can always bring gear along for an overnight bivy hunt or two if you feel like going that route. Good luck!

 

[loggerchas]

I have seen this statement a lot about front range hunters. So how far west do you have to go before this crowd tapers off?

Central Nevada...….

(Couldn't resist, sorry... )

Hunt hard, enjoy the time, learn from everything, and be flexible in your strategy. Remember as Thunderhead says above - hiking in is only small part of the battle, if successful you have several very heavy trips ahead to make in short order to get the meat out - so be aware of your limits and be realistic of where you are in relation to camp/trailhead, regardless of if you are base camping or backpacking.

 

[5MilesBack]

Central Nevada...….

(Couldn't resist, sorry... )

I was thinking the same thing.....but in a more serious manner.

 

[SoCalHunter]

My backpack hunting partner is my 20 year old son. The only person I would share honey-hole information with.

Plus he loves to haul heavy weight.

 

[JackquesM]

Hi I too am trying to plan an otc elk hunt probably 3rd rifle season I’ve never hunted in my life I was thinking unit 551

 

[Transition Wild]

Good stuff on this thread guys. I really like the SOLO DIY backcountry elk hunting. I'm looking to record a podcast with someone who has a lot of public land diy solo elk hunting experience. If any of you guys would be interested in that, send me a PM. I would love to hear your stories and experiences as a way to pass along some cool info through a podcast.

Thanks in advance.

- Adam Parr, Transition Wild

 

[Rocky_Start]

Would love to hear how this turned out TheLostTexan

Texas based myself and currently planning my first solo elk hunt.

 

[Bradolf pittler]

I can see that…Just kind of took me back a little bit on how protective people are. I took quite a few people hunting back when my grandad had land hell even dragged friends there who didn't hunt, lol.

The west is different in many aspects from eastern hunting but it is vastly different in this regard. There is a wealth of public land here that no one living for 3 generations east of Montana has ever seen or understood. They are accustomed to living in tightly packed corridors and going out in hunting parties to tree stands or deer drives or baiting cornfields. Because of this there is more of a group mentality and a willingness to share info and spots because there is nothing left, no honey holes no treasured secret spots. The land has been parceled up and divvied out for hundreds of years so you might as well make it a fun social experience. Out here people understand subconsciously or otherwise that these resources are finite and if that information becomes mainstream there's nothing to stop anyone with an above average level of fitness from hunting and depleting those same locations. I'm not saying this to disparage you or anyone from that part of the country but it's just a cultural difference. So come here but adopt that mentality if you are successful and understand why its important to be a little cryptic. Now as far as hunting mentors and wanting to join a party my advice is this, you dont want to hunt with other people. If you're planning to do a backpack elk hunt by yourself you are already on the right track. Hunting with others is a pain in the ass, you have to dance around the topic of who will shoot first, what do they behave like when they are exhausted and deprived of food and sleep, are they fit enough to be able to keep up with you. It's all a big annoying charade that gets in the way of enjoying the solitude of the outdoors and knowing that you accomplished or failed at something on your own. I exclusively hunt on my own and I love it, I suspect you will as well. Let me know if you have any other questions or want help with something about backpack hunting and I'd be happy to help

 

[johnw]

There's only one way to get experience, just go.

This...I think going alone helps too. I learn faster when having to figure things out by myself. Plus, in those units you will probably bump into enough people that can offer pointers if you need them.

 

[JeffRaines]

The west is different in many aspects from eastern hunting but it is vastly different in this regard. There is a wealth of public land here that no one living for 3 generations east of Montana has ever seen or understood. They are accustomed to living in tightly packed corridors and going out in hunting parties to tree stands or deer drives or baiting cornfields. Because of this there is more of a group mentality and a willingness to share info and spots because there is nothing left, no honey holes no treasured secret spots. The land has been parceled up and divvied out for hundreds of years so you might as well make it a fun social experience. Out here people understand subconsciously or otherwise that these resources are finite and if that information becomes mainstream there's nothing to stop anyone with an above average level of fitness from hunting and depleting those same locations. I'm not saying this to disparage you or anyone from that part of the country but it's just a cultural difference. So come here but adopt that mentality if you are successful and understand why its important to be a little cryptic. Now as far as hunting mentors and wanting to join a party my advice is this, you dont want to hunt with other people. If you're planning to do a backpack elk hunt by yourself you are already on the right track. Hunting with others is a pain in the ass, you have to dance around the topic of who will shoot first, what do they behave like when they are exhausted and deprived of food and sleep, are they fit enough to be able to keep up with you. It's all a big annoying charade that gets in the way of enjoying the solitude of the outdoors and knowing that you accomplished or failed at something on your own. I exclusively hunt on my own and I love it, I suspect you will as well. Let me know if you have any other questions or want help with something about backpack hunting and I'd be happy to help

Isn’t this the truth?

I don’t have any hunting partners, either. I have people I talk about hunting with but that’s it.

There was one guy I was trying to get into the sport from work, good guy but no mental fortitude, whiny when he’s hungry and exhausted, fidgety while on stand... this is turkey hunting by the way, so it ain’t like we were climbing 5k a day in sheep country.

While someone to talk to would be nice, it isn’t worth the trouble. I like moving when I want to move, staying when I want to stay, and having only myself responsible for making or breaking my hunt.

I have found my Inreach helps stave off some of the loneliness.

 

[mattferg84]

I grew up hunting whitetails in Missouri and it consumed my life. I had the opportunity to go elk hunt in the same area around you in Walden 8 years ago. My boss didnt want to give me any time off so I quit my job and then moved out here a few months after that. I knew I wanted to be in the mountains even though I was so ate up about hunting whitetails. I tried to learn everything about hunting elk by reading forums and watching videos. That helped a little but getting out there and experiencing failure over and over is what really helps you learn.

After 2 years of hunting with my Dad and his buddy I started hunting on my own. I was 28 years old and my tactic at that time was to get up get up earlier and hunt harder than anyone else on that mountain. On the 3rd year I killed my first bull and couldnt have been more excited. At this point I have shot 3 bulls in the past 5 years.

I do a little truck camping but love to load up my pack and get out to hunt for a few days solo. The best piece of advice I can give you is get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

 

[Sapcut]

The west is different in many aspects from eastern hunting but it is vastly different in this regard. There is a wealth of public land here that no one living for 3 generations east of Montana has ever seen or understood. They are accustomed to living in tightly packed corridors and going out in hunting parties to tree stands or deer drives or baiting cornfields. Because of this there is more of a group mentality and a willingness to share info and spots because there is nothing left, no honey holes no treasured secret spots. The land has been parceled up and divvied out for hundreds of years so you might as well make it a fun social experience. Out here people understand subconsciously or otherwise that these resources are finite and if that information becomes mainstream there's nothing to stop anyone with an above average level of fitness from hunting and depleting those same locations. I'm not saying this to disparage you or anyone from that part of the country but it's just a cultural difference. So come here but adopt that mentality if you are successful and understand why its important to be a little cryptic. Now as far as hunting mentors and wanting to join a party my advice is this, you dont want to hunt with other people. If you're planning to do a backpack elk hunt by yourself you are already on the right track. Hunting with others is a pain in the ass, you have to dance around the topic of who will shoot first, what do they behave like when they are exhausted and deprived of food and sleep, are they fit enough to be able to keep up with you. It's all a big annoying charade that gets in the way of enjoying the solitude of the outdoors and knowing that you accomplished or failed at something on your own. I exclusively hunt on my own and I love it, I suspect you will as well. Let me know if you have any other questions or want help with something about backpack hunting and I'd be happy to help

Wanna team up on an elkin trip this year?