Just got back from my Idaho OTC DIY archery elk hunt and it was amazing. Several close encounters but for one reason or the next, just couldn't connect. Learned a lot and next year I will be posting pics of my bull!!
So I thought I would share a few things of what I learned out there for your reading pleasure.
1. Rokslide is your friend - I cannot begin to tell you how much I benefited from the hours upon hours of research I preformed on Rokslide. Its invaluable and I felt I was very well prepared. Thanks all!!
2. The wind is its own living specie - The wind was really hard to get a handle on out there. By the time I was leaving, I was just starting to figure it out. If you don't like the wind now, wait 30 seconds...it'll change!! Tough!!
3. Elk are hard to kill - They have every advantage in the world out there! The terrain, the wind, the herd, that one little freakin limb etc. Brings an admiration for you guys that do it every year. You truly have to drop everything you've learned about hunting whitetails and just go after them. You may kill yourself getting there but just getting close will rejuvenate you. Which brings me to my next point.....
4. Mentally its grueling as well - Its a roller coaster ride of emotions!! You work your tail in the dirt to get so close yet fail. Wake up and do it again and again and again. Frustrating as hell!
5. 20 degree bag does NOT mean 20 degrees - At least in the case of my Kelty Cosmic. That first night I about froze my butt off. I figured out real fast that a 20 degree bag means sleeping in your base layer and a stocking hat. I was comfortable then. I will be looking into a quilt for next years hunt.
6. I missed my family - No cell reception where we were at so we rented a Sat phone. At least we could check in every couple days so it was worth it in my book. May look into buying one as this will probably be at least an annual thing from this point forward.
7. I liked my sidearm - I read countless posts on this very subject. Its about a 50/50 split id say. I left the bear spray in the truck and carried my gun on the mountain and liked having it. Did I need it.....nope. Will it be on my side next year.....yep.
8. Take care of your feet - Read hours on this subject as well. I ended up with Salomons and they did their job. One blister on my heal which I caught early and took care of it the rest of the trip. Wasn't an issue. Feet stayed dry as well. I also packed up a pair of sandals for around camp. It allowed me to let my feet air out and breath while at camp. They will be with me again next year.
9. I had the best gear I could afford - All my gear performed great. From the Kuiu attack pants to my FL wool socks. The more money you spend, the lighter you get. I was under 50 lbs. which I thought was pretty dang good. Lightest of the bunch. I will be looking at options to get lighter though starting with my pack. Tenzing 6000 was ok but there are much better packs out there. The pack in sucked!!
10. I felt I done well going up and down the mountain - Its hard guys! If your a first timer thinking about going west and your wondering if your in good enough shape.....your not!! I was the pace man for our group but I still could of been better. We averaged 10 miles a day with 15 miles being the high. Lots of walking lots of climbing.....if you want to get into the elk anyways. I suppose a guy could stand on a mountain and wait for them to come to you, good luck with that!
So, that's all I can think of right now. I was ready to come home and definitely bummed that I didn't kill. After some time to reflect I realize that we were fortunate to get within bow range several times and that time on the mountains with family and friend is something to cherish. I cant wait to get back. That bull is in trouble....guarantee it!!
Thanks everyone for your solid advice!!
So I thought I would share a few things of what I learned out there for your reading pleasure.
1. Rokslide is your friend - I cannot begin to tell you how much I benefited from the hours upon hours of research I preformed on Rokslide. Its invaluable and I felt I was very well prepared. Thanks all!!
2. The wind is its own living specie - The wind was really hard to get a handle on out there. By the time I was leaving, I was just starting to figure it out. If you don't like the wind now, wait 30 seconds...it'll change!! Tough!!
3. Elk are hard to kill - They have every advantage in the world out there! The terrain, the wind, the herd, that one little freakin limb etc. Brings an admiration for you guys that do it every year. You truly have to drop everything you've learned about hunting whitetails and just go after them. You may kill yourself getting there but just getting close will rejuvenate you. Which brings me to my next point.....
4. Mentally its grueling as well - Its a roller coaster ride of emotions!! You work your tail in the dirt to get so close yet fail. Wake up and do it again and again and again. Frustrating as hell!
5. 20 degree bag does NOT mean 20 degrees - At least in the case of my Kelty Cosmic. That first night I about froze my butt off. I figured out real fast that a 20 degree bag means sleeping in your base layer and a stocking hat. I was comfortable then. I will be looking into a quilt for next years hunt.
6. I missed my family - No cell reception where we were at so we rented a Sat phone. At least we could check in every couple days so it was worth it in my book. May look into buying one as this will probably be at least an annual thing from this point forward.
7. I liked my sidearm - I read countless posts on this very subject. Its about a 50/50 split id say. I left the bear spray in the truck and carried my gun on the mountain and liked having it. Did I need it.....nope. Will it be on my side next year.....yep.
8. Take care of your feet - Read hours on this subject as well. I ended up with Salomons and they did their job. One blister on my heal which I caught early and took care of it the rest of the trip. Wasn't an issue. Feet stayed dry as well. I also packed up a pair of sandals for around camp. It allowed me to let my feet air out and breath while at camp. They will be with me again next year.
9. I had the best gear I could afford - All my gear performed great. From the Kuiu attack pants to my FL wool socks. The more money you spend, the lighter you get. I was under 50 lbs. which I thought was pretty dang good. Lightest of the bunch. I will be looking at options to get lighter though starting with my pack. Tenzing 6000 was ok but there are much better packs out there. The pack in sucked!!
10. I felt I done well going up and down the mountain - Its hard guys! If your a first timer thinking about going west and your wondering if your in good enough shape.....your not!! I was the pace man for our group but I still could of been better. We averaged 10 miles a day with 15 miles being the high. Lots of walking lots of climbing.....if you want to get into the elk anyways. I suppose a guy could stand on a mountain and wait for them to come to you, good luck with that!
So, that's all I can think of right now. I was ready to come home and definitely bummed that I didn't kill. After some time to reflect I realize that we were fortunate to get within bow range several times and that time on the mountains with family and friend is something to cherish. I cant wait to get back. That bull is in trouble....guarantee it!!
Thanks everyone for your solid advice!!
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