Shrek's Trek 2014

Pm me if you kill something or need help, I am able to get away from work anytime this week and my stone glacier has yet to see blood. And I know the belts like the back of my hand, you probably won't be giving away any secrets. Good luck and stick it out! The elk gods will shine!
 
Go to the REI in Bozeman and upgrade your gloves. Get some handwarmer packs and put them in your boots. Get lots of high calorie food. Go find an elk. You can always build a fire if you are cold. I killed my biggest bull hunkered down under a cliff with a small fire going.
 
I'm out and have plans to day hunt a couple of places. I'm from Florida and highs in the low teens is more than I want to bite off without someplace warm to retreat to. I'm not heading for home or anything. I hadn't carried the stove in so I had no good source of heat if I needed it. If I tolerate the cold I'll go back in deeper when the weather breaks. As it is I have a very good place to go and hunt that is a day hunt. I had passed it by because I wanted to hike back and camp but it may be a high chance at an elk anyway. I'm not out to prove I can camp and hike but to kill an elk . If that happens to be a short hike day hunt that's great ! Backpack hunting is a means to an ends not the reason I'm here.
 
Shrek said:
I'm out and have plans to day hunt a couple of places. I'm from Florida and highs in the low teens is more than I want to bite off without someplace warm to retreat to. I'm not heading for home or anything. I hadn't carried the stove in so I had no good source of heat if I needed it. If I tolerate the cold I'll go back in deeper when the weather breaks. As it is I have a very good place to go and hunt that is a day hunt. I had passed it by because I wanted to hike back and camp but it may be a high chance at an elk anyway. I'm not out to prove I can camp and hike but to kill an elk . If that happens to be a short hike day hunt that's great ! Backpack hunting is a means to an ends not the reason I'm here.
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Well said.
You don't need to justify yourself to any of us here.
 
Poser said:
Bet you wish you had some Kuiu gloves right about now :)
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Some First Lite North Branch gloves and jacket for sure. Some insulated boots and warmer head gear. For real though , I don't have any experience with this low of temperature and I've struggled with below 20 so I don't want to get into trouble way back. I'll day hike and learn what works so next time I can make a decision based on what I know.
 
If you do go into town Shrek, there are some little layering items that you can get to increase your winter comfort without completely changing your wardrobe. I don't know if you have some of this stuff, but it doesn't have to all be fancy to work.

A pair of waterproor gortex type mittens worn over some lighter weight gloves can really warm your hands up and can be slid off quickly when needed for the manual dexterity. Another layer of hat that can be put on when you stop (like adding a fleece or down hoody over the top of a merino hat layer and whatever hat you might be wearing already like the Kuiu guide hat). A piece of foam pad to sit on when you stop, puffy pants or ski pants to put on when you stop, and over booties to put on when you stop like Arctic shield booties. Just some thoughts to keep you at it and in comfort.

I think hunting closer to a road or trail is wise, not so much due to the cold, but in case you get an elk down...because they are really big.
 
Shrek. I've bailed on the pheasant hunt so will be around if you need help packing Mon or Tuesday.
 
Shrek said:
Some First Lite North Branch gloves and jacket for sure. Some insulated boots and warmer head gear. For real though , I don't have any experience with this low of temperature and I've struggled with below 20 so I don't want to get into trouble way back. I'll day hike and learn what works so next time I can make a decision based on what I know.
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Smart to know your limits. Day hunts can be successful as well. Good luck and happy hunting it's your adventure.
 
I agree that the weather change will eventually work to your favor and get the elk moving and easier to spot from a distance. You will get one. Just a matter of time.
 
Nothing wrong with day hunting. It's all I do now, because I live in the unit I hunt. The good part is you're not locked into hunting one area.
 
Soooo freaking happy I hiked out ! When I got the motel it was raining and howling , left for dinner it was just freezing and howling , came out of the restaurant and it's snowing and howling and the temp is already 27ºf and the high tomorrow is 25ºf . I would be hating life in my sleeping bag right now. I'm sure my kodiak would have kept me warm but I'd be zippered up tight and the Sawtooth beating like a drum. I'm trying to imagine the motivation it would take to unzip in the morning and get into my cold boots and head out. Can't imagine that motivation right now :) !
 
I think you made the right choice. I don't think you need to give up on hunting but adjust your plan to fit the conditions. The weather got nasty this evening. The wind has been rough in town and would have been brutal on the mountain. Add in the rain turning to ice then snow and your Florida butt would have been in bad shape in the morning.
 
Have enjoyed meeting you and the time we have spent together glassing Shrek. As my wife and I told you last night you have a room here if you need it. I am headed out to do some glassing this morning. If I see any sign in the areas we discussed I will let you know. A few days of day hunting till the weather settles down won't hurt a thing.

Jeff
 
Day hunt it out! I'm looking to skip work Wednesday and go somewhere. It's gonna be THE day I think... Just gotta figure out where I'm gonna go.
 
I'm totally vegging this morning ! Lol ! Getting a big hot breakfast and a triple shot americano . Then out to check out the little spot I'm going to hunt in the morning and then maybe on to hunt the whitetail spot. Much better weather than I had anticipated this morning and kind of regret not getting going early but when I went to bed it was awful outside and nothing I wanted anything to do with.
 
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