Well... been thinking about throwing up a quick report on my first ever solo back pack hunt so here goes. First thing I need to do is publicly thank idahohikker (on this forum). He is a stand up guy that helped me get pointed in the right direction. A little background info. In my early 40's, decent shape, and grew up in northeast WI. Have been deer hunting for nearly 35 years. Last spring decided I needed more adventure. Did some research and bought a general season Idaho mule deer tag. On to my experience. Decided on unit 
, parked the truck, and took a well known trail back into the mountains about 6 miles (more on that mistake later) at day break the morning before the season opened. The trek in was glorious. Although it was physically tough the adrenaline and excitement made it enjoyable. Once I found my spot for camp I got set up and found a decent spot to glass before dark. The following 4 days were what I'm guessing were pretty standard. Got up early, climbed up, glassed, and then made my way back to camp just after dark. Saw some bucks but nothing better than a small 4 point. On day 5 I decided to make a longer push up a mountain I'd been eyeballing the entire time. Took the bare necessities for the day to keep my pack light and set out early. Made it to where I wanted to be and got set up. At that point I was dead tired, about 1.75 miles from my camp and another 6 miles from my truck. After a couple hours of glassing I had finally found a buck worthy of getting in the scope. Was all set up, heart thumping, and getting ready to click off the safety. Then, it dawned on me and here comes the mistake I referenced earlier. I was 100% unprepared to make 3 (maybe 4 including camp?) 13ish mile round trip treks back and forth to the truck with with this animal on my back. I had pushed myself so hard getting father into the "backcountry" than anyone else in that particular area that I didn't have the juice left in my tank to be able to do exactly what it was that I was there for. Side bar, I only had one day left before my family became my #1 priority and I needed to bolt. At that point I made a decision to put the rifle down and enjoy the moment. The next morning I packed up and hunted my way out. All that said, here's what I learned. In my opinion nothing can prepare someone for doing this, besides doing it. Just decide to go, research, do it, and make a few mistakes (hopefully non life threatening). I think about this experience almost every day and am planning on giving it another go in the fall of 2022, would be doing it this fall if not for a planned elk trip. Sorry for my terrible rambling w
, parked the truck, and took a well known trail back into the mountains about 6 miles (more on that mistake later) at day break the morning before the season opened. The trek in was glorious. Although it was physically tough the adrenaline and excitement made it enjoyable. Once I found my spot for camp I got set up and found a decent spot to glass before dark. The following 4 days were what I'm guessing were pretty standard. Got up early, climbed up, glassed, and then made my way back to camp just after dark. Saw some bucks but nothing better than a small 4 point. On day 5 I decided to make a longer push up a mountain I'd been eyeballing the entire time. Took the bare necessities for the day to keep my pack light and set out early. Made it to where I wanted to be and got set up. At that point I was dead tired, about 1.75 miles from my camp and another 6 miles from my truck. After a couple hours of glassing I had finally found a buck worthy of getting in the scope. Was all set up, heart thumping, and getting ready to click off the safety. Then, it dawned on me and here comes the mistake I referenced earlier. I was 100% unprepared to make 3 (maybe 4 including camp?) 13ish mile round trip treks back and forth to the truck with with this animal on my back. I had pushed myself so hard getting father into the "backcountry" than anyone else in that particular area that I didn't have the juice left in my tank to be able to do exactly what it was that I was there for. Side bar, I only had one day left before my family became my #1 priority and I needed to bolt. At that point I made a decision to put the rifle down and enjoy the moment. The next morning I packed up and hunted my way out. All that said, here's what I learned. In my opinion nothing can prepare someone for doing this, besides doing it. Just decide to go, research, do it, and make a few mistakes (hopefully non life threatening). I think about this experience almost every day and am planning on giving it another go in the fall of 2022, would be doing it this fall if not for a planned elk trip. Sorry for my terrible rambling w
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