First Time Elk Hunting / Solo?

[cardiac5]

Thanks for the info going on my first from driving from NJ to Colorado. Leaving on the 28th for the area around Steamboat Springs between Sarvis creek wilderness and the Mount Zirkel wilderness. Have 7 spots picked out on my onX. Can’t wait but understand that the odds are stacked against us!


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They are stacked. I read most threads on the forum that pertain to elk and most are about Colorado but that's because the tag is so easily obtained. Just make sure you have half a dozen plans and several ideas for access. If the road says 4wd I would not take my truck down it so keep that in mind when you look at onx. That added a few extra miles of walking from when I scouted online and where I thought I was gonna park didn't happen. When I got out there It was a 4wd trail and the first few rocks were bigger then my 33in tires.

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[HuntingAddict]

Little add ons to your shopping list
Para cord is gold
Electrical tape
A few wire ties
huggies wipes unscented (priceless)
A few wet Zeiss wipes
There was a lot of service with Verison up there so cell should be good
One of those hanging tiny flash lights for the tent or if you have to section an elk at night.
Tiny trout rod is always nice to have. great fishing there.
extra sun glasses .
I've hunted that area so if you have any questions feel free to PM me .

 

[FYT]

Little add ons to your shopping list
Para cord is gold
Electrical tape
A few wire ties
huggies wipes unscented (priceless)
A few wet Zeiss wipes
There was a lot of service with Verison up there so cell should be good
One of those hanging tiny flash lights for the tent or if you have to section an elk at night.
Tiny trout rod is always nice to have. great fishing there.
extra sun glasses .
I've hunted that area so if you have any questions feel free to PM me .

Holy crap- is this my brother?!? As I’ve been getting ready for my own backcountry hunt those first 5 items are like the exact list of under-the-radar items he has been encouraging me to bring.

 

[HuntingAddict]

lmao !!!!! One thing to add Gold Bond friction Defense. Has no scent and when you climb it work excellent . runners use it. Love hunting Colorado.

 

[bikerdavet]

Above all else - read the manscaping thread! Just sayn

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[Wassid82]

Hi Y’all, So I’m at a bit of a dilemma here…I have never hunted public lands before (didn’t know the difference between a national forest and a national park till like a month or so ago) or done a western style hunt. All my experience is in small ranch hunting in Texas. I was planning to go hunting with another guy who has never hunted at all before but he backed out last week, I’ve gathered he’s just not interested in it. I do live in Northern Colorado now, so I went out scouting anyway last weekend…More like I drove all over the Walden area trying to figure out the road system (still confused on what is a road and what is an OHV Trail, I have a stock truck so I’m not looking to get stuck). So here are my questions,
1. How many of y’all started this type of hunting solo? I yearn to learn tell me your story?!

2. Where did you meet your hunting mentor or partner/ Is there a mentorship for adults, Lol? I have tons of questions.

3. If I don’t want to miss out on another season of big game hunting, where would you begin? (I’ve narrowed it down to so one of the 4 units surrounding Walden)

4. Is there anyone or a group that wouldn’t mind having another hunter added, I’m in good shape and I know how to walk in the woods? (I do 14ers and CrossFit)

Are you hunting rifle or archery? Solo with a rifle is doable but learning will be a journey

 

[P Y Buck]

PM sent

 

[RockyMountainThunder]

I started out archery hunting doing a lot of solo hunts. You will learn a ton by just being out there. I would talk to experienced people as much as you can. You don't have to ask them to take you but just ask about stories and whet they have done that works and also what they have done that didn't work. I have found that I learned a lot more from my failed experiences than my successful ones. I would also read books on elk habitat and behavior, as well as listen to quality podcasts. Don't get discouraged starting off, keep your nose to the grindstone and keep going. Eventually you will become the experienced hunter and newer people will be coming to you with questions. Elk will continue to humble you no matter how long you have been hunting them.

 

[Sportsman247]

I am new to the site and somewhat new to the western hunting experience. I will let you know that we only hunt DIY public land hunts and I love it. Take advice from the more seasoned vets on here, I read their posts for a couple of years before ever joining. Tons of great information right here on this site. Can't speak to the solo hunt as I always hunt with a buddy. So here's what I've learned:

Watch and read as much as you can- Randy Newbery is a great watch
I bought and packed in way too much gear in the beginning. Be extremely selective in what you decide to pack.
Get yourself ONX or alternative and study it-nothing looks the same once you get there
Read about layering your clothing-crucial IMO
Being from South Carolina-those mountains will kick your butt, LOL-definitely get into shape
You will screw up a stalk or hunt so just chalk it up as a learning experience
Enjoy the views, being from the Southeast; it is the most beautiful landscape I've ever seen
Just have fun, capitalizing on a kill is a bonus

Good luck! I'll be back this fall and every fall afterwards until I just can't physically make it...