Is it ever too late to start DIY Elk Hunting?

[D_shear]

Never too late. I never hunted elk growing up but about 5 years ago started I will never miss another elk season!

 

[hobbes]

There is definitely a too late to start DIY elk hunting, but you aren't there at 41 unless you have developed some physical disability.

Its nice to say it's never too late, but a person can wait until it's too late. My father is 74, has arthritis in both ankles and his feet hurt him terribly if he walks much more than a couple hundred yards. He's not going to regain his youth. He could hunt elk if the perfect conditions presented themselves, but it would require help. A person's health can be fickle. Age catches everyone eventually. Some earlier than others.

My advice would be to not wait until you reach that point. Go now.

As a side note, I took my dad elk hunting in CO a couple times about 10 years ago. I finally got him in on a private ranch management rifle cow hunt. He was like a kid on Christmas morning.

 

[HondoArcher]

Older guys play it smarter. Let the young bucks run up the mountain 10 to 15 miles. There are plenty of elk between camp and those high altitude hunters. I'm 62 and I can keep up with most guys in their 40's. Look for the overlooked spots semi close to camp. Elk go where they can survive. Low pressure locations with food and water are the key. Train hard each year. You have plenty of hunts left.

 

[Madpiper]

I’m 45, and here goes!

 

[Conrad101st]

There are so many fire trails in Colorado that it’s easy for even flat-landers to hunt. Do some research. But a tag and go. Try to get up on ridges before light so you can let the slower folks push them up to you. Truck camping can be fun. Enjoy a good meal and a laugh. Be in bed by 9pm and hit it hard every day. It’s really sad that so many people just don’t know the joy of watching a sunrise while sipping Gatorade on top of a ridgeline after hoofing for 2 hours. Eat a granola bar. Sip a little whiskey. Realize you are still alive and in nature.

 

[Mike 338]

41... You kidd'in? Life begins at 50.

A DYI elk hunt isn't any more daunting than a DYI mall trip in a strange city. You pull the rig over, step out and start walking a ways and see if you can find something you have a tag for. Just like the mall trip, you don't want to spend all your time being lost, get pulled into the escalator, fall off the second story balcony and impale yourself on a kiosk selling pointy objects but all in all, it's just a walk in the woods. Pretty sedate really, till you get something and there's some huffing and puffing involved but you'll live. Have a good time. You'll never be 40 again.

 

[hipshotgunslinger]

I was 33 when I started, now I am 46. I don't think that kid at 33 could hang with me now at 46. I may not be as fast and as nimble, but I get 'er done at a lot higher odds of success than I did back then. I reckon I'll be going until I can't walk no more or our guns/hunting land are taken away. I live 356 days a year waiting on the 9 days of season.

 

[Roughwater]

Some at 21 are to old to elk hunt, while some at 70 years are not too old. At 41 with your ambitious nature you should have many years left to elk hunt if you care to. Someone that let themselves get real rolley pully and don't take time to do some serious working out prior to the hunt will have a tough time. I'm 69 and doing a DIY elk hut for the 3rd year in a row. Like someone else said if you did a 12 day packpack hunt, you are probably mentally and physically ready for the most part. Save your guide money and read up, do the Elk 101 thing online. It's a great course. You won't regret doing DIY hunts. Very exciting, very everything. Go for it!!

 

[RoseAllen]

Just watch some of the youtube thru-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Appalachian Trail! Most have never really trained for the 2,000 plus mile hike. Most don't have a clue about the outdoors. A lot of thru hikers are in their 50s to 70s some in their 80s, at least one blind hiker soloded all the way to Maine. If you really need some inspiration check out Second Chance Hiker on youtube. When he started at the Mexican border this year he weight around 400 pounds. Over two months he is still hiking the pct every day on his way to Canada with thousands more people with similar stories. Hikers say "hike your own hike" same goes for hunters "hunt your own hunt".

 

[Extrapale]

The crap you read that a person needs to be some super athlete, with a few thousand dollars worth of gear, to kill elk is a farce.

I recommend people just go and have a good time. Hunt smart, do what you physically can, stay out all day...good things happen...seen it.

This, this, this. I could not agree more. Just go and figure it out. If you did a backpack sheep hunt, you know how to get in shape.

Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

 

[timekiller13]

My dad started at 56.

 

[freshta]

36 first time solo. Been doing it as often as possible ever since. 48 now. Once you do it, it gets into your soul. I dream about it every day.

 

[rgroves79]

37 when I did my first one 2 years ago. Headed back again this year since work/ moving the family got in the way last year. If I knew it was as accessible as it is when I was fresh out of college I would have been doing it then. It definitely gets in your blood and I won’t miss another year until I can’t walk anymore.

 

[Car7x]

DIY? Solo, archery, a couple years ago in my early 60's. 2 elk trips at 20 year intervals before (firearms, though I'm a longtime archer). Finally have some young family with the tIme and resources to join me (just in time (;/). Got a shack in SW MT I'm 65 and will go until they have to carry me out and back.

 

[Hhardrockminer]

Hey Doc,
I'm a VN vet and I sold all my hunting equipment after I came back because of a incident hunting in Mn.(1968)
My second wife bought me a rifle in the early 80's so I could hunt with our (hers) a have benefitted from that a ton. we didn't come back at a great time and I've dealt with some things that pop up now and then but hey life goes on.
First time taking the boys out the second son asked me how I was doing and my reply was " I feel like someone's watching".
Doc, do what you want to but get out and enjoy the freedom of the land and feeling of doing your dream.

 

[MedicoreHntr]

Never grew up hunting, but about 3 years ago a friend of mine introduced me into it. Im 29 now. I've been hooked ever since that experience and it will be apart of my life and kids to come.

 

[Hhardrockminer]

Hey Doc,
Just another note, I've just turned 72 and my first time elk hunting was 6 years age so I'd be all over starting elk hunting at 41 GO FOR IT big guy, you'll never regret it, I PROMISE!!!!
hhardrock

 

[Sapcut]

Been DIYing for a few years now. Im 51, athletic, playing in a 18 and over woodbat baseball league (not softball) pretty decent shape, weapon is 68@31 Black Widow recurve. Never owned a compound. Trying to make plans for a solo hunt this year due to previous elkin partner not going. May try unit 7 again or get OTC tag for unit 81 close to Antonito.

 

[splojo]

Im 31 and am planning my first hunt for this fall in Montana. Learning a lot and meeting some great people. Definitely thinking that this trip has made me an overall better hunter for when I return to the midwest for whitetails.

 

[Claroue]

I started when I was 37. Wish I would of started years ago!!