Ross and Adam: First CO Elk Hunt Planning Thread

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

That's a good idea

 

[American Grouch]

You guys are kickin' it. Well done on the weight loss man, that has to be a huge plus!

 

[Redmech]

That's a good idea

Thanks, Gravel adds weight quickly,

You guys are kickin' it. Well done on the weight loss man, that has to be a huge plus!

Much Appreciated, thanks,

 

[Darrin]

Enjoying this thread. Awesome weight loss and good luck. Like the gravel idea.

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[fort fireman]

Love this thread!! Now it means even more to read through it. Yesterday was my birthday and I found out my wife started a saving account specifically for a Montana elk hunt in 2017. It already has like 400 bucks in there and a direct deposit ever week. Also my cousin is in on it so he's going with me. My wife's originally from Great falls but her family is all in Helena, Boulder area. We will be hunting with her cousin who kills elk every year. It's a good thing I've already started working out and reading this thread for tidbits.
We are going out to Helena next week for my in-laws 50th anniversary. I'll have a chance to have a pow-wow with my wife's cousin and get some info from him.
Good luck to you guys in Colorado and can't wait to hear how it went. Maybe after next fall well have noob stories to tell each other.

 

[AdamW]

Love this thread!! Now it means even more to read through it. Yesterday was my birthday and I found out my wife started a saving account specifically for a Montana elk hunt in 2017. It already has like 400 bucks in there and a direct deposit ever week. Also my cousin is in on it so he's going with me. My wife's originally from Great falls but her family is all in Helena, Boulder area. We will be hunting with her cousin who kills elk every year. It's a good thing I've already started working out and reading this thread for tidbits.
We are going out to Helena next week for my in-laws 50th anniversary. I'll have a chance to have a pow-wow with my wife's cousin and get some info from him.
Good luck to you guys in Colorado and can't wait to hear how it went. Maybe after next fall well have noob stories to tell each other.

That's awesome man! A year has flown by, I can't believe how close we are getting.

And also...

 

[fort fireman]

Ya, I'm working on the cardio a bit. The family joined the YMCA. I'll swim one day, treadmill and lift twice a week and do stairs at the firehouse when I'm at work. It started just because I wasn't happy with my fitness at work but now I have even more incentive to get in shape.

 

[Htachie Dawg]

Good luck guys. I'll be pulling for you.
HD

 

[vanish]

Uhoh, been over a month ... what happened?!

 

[AdamW]

Didn't want to keep bumping our own thread and just let it ride for a while. Things have been super busy, but I was planning to bump this last weekend but then all chaos ensued. Ross and I have not killed one another yet, we'll wait until the ride to CO to do that probably. Right now my basement has a whole lot of this going on.

One month from yesterday we're hitting the road. Still have no idea what we are doing. Haha.

 

[COlineman78]

It's looking to be a good year for rifle. Rut still isn't going on and the elk are hardly making a peep. Make sure and check the wildfires before you come as to not have any rude surprises.

I'm sure the anticipation is killing you right about now and hopefully you keep busy over the next month to help pass the time.

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[Redmech]

I've been going for a 5AM ruck 4-7 days a week with my pack loaded down with gravel. I've logged 93 miles with my loaded pack on in the last two months. My legs are feeling strong, I've been shooting some and trying to get my last bit of food figured out. Adam and I are even still even talking, so that's surprising.

 

[AdamW]

It's looking to be a good year for rifle. Rut still isn't going on and the elk are hardly making a peep. Make sure and check the wildfires before you come as to not have any rude surprises.

I'm sure the anticipation is killing you right about now and hopefully you keep busy over the next month to help pass the time.

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I've seen quite a few people say that things seem to be running a little late, guys spotting and stalking in quiet, etc. I'll take anything we can get to help our odds or even just make for a good sights and sounds show. I'm juggling 100 different things trying to get things lined out to be gone for my longest work vacation ever (to include my honeymoon ) and getting all my gear, meals, packing list, etc. all finalized. Ideally I'd like to have my pack sitting there ready to go a week or more in advance. I hate last minute rushes!

I can't wait and all these pictures, not just of bulls, but of the country, the mountains, etc. just has me more excited.

Thanks again for all the help you guys have extended us since day 1 of this thread.

 

[Jarrod Renaud]

Yeah... spent 10 days in the hills so far and I've only heard 3 mews and funny enough, some glunking one night. Usually I've got multiple bulls coming in first week of every year in this same area. They're all bunkered down and quiet. Wallows are finally being used where Im at. First rifle should be a good time, wouldn't be surprised if you can get them to bugle.

 

[njdoxie]

remind me, you going 1st or 2nd rifle? Be sure to write up your experiences, I love stories from first timers!

 

[COlineman78]

Yeah... spent 10 days in the hills so far and I've only heard 3 mews and funny enough, some glunking one night. Usually I've got multiple bulls coming in first week of every year in this same area. They're all bunkered down and quiet. Wallows are finally being used where Im at. First rifle should be a good time, wouldn't be surprised if you can get them to bugle.

I guess all I had to do was complain about it. Last night we had a storm roll through and got them bugling and moving around. Had a lone 5x6 bull (no cows) come in to feed and got to about 130 and winded me just enough to make him turn around but not run off. Also had some decent action this morning as well. Not a ton of bugling but they were moving.

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[AdamW]

remind me, you going 1st or 2nd rifle? Be sure to write up your experiences, I love stories from first timers!

First rifle! I'm hoping to have a nice tall tale to put in my hunting journal that I should have started 20 years ago. Will be sure to share.

 

[AdamW]

I can't remember for sure when we first had the discussion about possibly going elk hunting, but it has been over a year. Please explain to me how in this year of planning, researching, online scouting, gear acquiring, etc. that I feel like I have 80% of the work to do in the next 2 weeks and 3 days before we leave. I think I've lost perspective of how much I've done in the last few months.

This weekend was a lot of food prep stuff and the micro gear prep (FAK contents, toiletries, the boring but important stuff). My wife cleared off the kitchen table was having fun helping me organize all my food and get everything in to daily gallon size freezer bags. Picked up a few Hawk Vittles meals and I'm going to do a couple more dehydrated DIY meals at home over the course of the next week and I'll have that stuff all wrapped up. Trying some new things then if they rehydrate well, making a meal for the trip. A few hits so far:

• Home made sloppy joes w/ raw honey for sweetness and calorie add on tortillas
• Taco meat and brown rice w/ peppers and onions on tortillas
• Seasoned ground venison w/ diced sweet potatoes and onions
• Chili w/ lots of veggies

Tic-toc.

 

[Redmech]

Just like cramming before a test. I haven't posted for a bit, but my exercise and diet have brought me to 80 pounds lost and I feel in better shape than I have for a long time.

Elk by redmech, on Flickr

Also I have made a couple knives for Adam and I to use, still need to get the sheaths finished up.

Elk by redmech, on Flickr

Elk by redmech, on Flickr

Also have about 7 days worth of food put together.

Elk by redmech, on Flickr

11 pounds and 12 ounces of food, and myself 80 pounds lighter, Can't wait for trip to begin.

Elk by redmech, on Flickr

 

[daddie63]

Congrats on the weight loss. 80 lbs is huge. Looking forward to your guys hunt report. Have fun and best of luck.