Solo elk hunt this year!!!

[SDC]

And leave a bunch of water and Gatorade or whatever in your truck too. Simple thing, but you're immensely more likely to be dehydrated than have to use a Spot or Inreach.

FWIW - If you're going to pay some weight penalty in your pack, I'd be inclined to pay it in your sleep system. Namely in your pad. You're not one of the 5'7" 140lb mountain leprechauns like one of my buddies. I doubt you'd get a good night's sleep on a pad like his. I think it's smaller than what my ten year old uses.

Make sure your sleep system allows you to recharge. Test it out before you go.

Fantastic suggestions. Sleep is a premium, and it is NEEDED. Pay the premium to get the sleep.

 

[5MilesBack]

I need a big tent because if I didn't mention before I'm 6'8" tall 225lbs.

I'm 6'6" 210. The biggest challenge for guys like us is finding clothes that fit us, and gear that fits that doesn't weigh 3 times what it should. After that challenge the hunt is a breeze. Which NBA bow did you go with and what draw length? I'm shooting the Freak this year at 32 1/2".

Solo is better anyway, no one there but yourself to screw things up.

I just thought of it........do you play basketball? Last year Rokslide had a 3 on 3 team for some tourney, heck with you (6'8") and I (6'6") and Longbow42 (6'9") we'd have a heck of a team.

 

[Bigmike68]

Good luck to you Mike. I'm a first time elk hunter and will be hunting solo archery near that area. I'm planning two 5-7 day hunts. Physical preparation will include a lot of day hikes and scouting trips, plus weight training and cardio. I moved to CO from the Midwest in January and hope to be well acclimated by September. Problem is there is still a lot of snow in the high country. May was a big snow month in CO and the melt is just starting. I look forward to hearing about your hunt!

Yeh last year was my first year this trip will be solo tho so can't wait for the test. Good luck on ur hunt as well!! Yeh wish I could do some scouting but way to far away ,hey someday I'll have a place of my own in the Rockies for sure.

And leave a bunch of water and Gatorade or whatever in your truck too. Simple thing, but you're immensely more likely to be dehydrated than have to use a Spot or Inreach.

FWIW - If you're going to pay some weight penalty in your pack, I'd be inclined to pay it in your sleep system. Namely in your pad. You're not one of the 5'7" 140lb mountain leprechauns like one of my buddies. I doubt you'd get a good night's sleep on a pad like his. I think it's smaller than what my ten year old uses.

Make sure your sleep system allows you to recharge. Test it out before you go.

Good point gatorades for the walk back in as well after the hike out with the meat. Last year I kept water an a car meal so when we came out with a load would have food there an not have to stop at camp. My sleeping pad is a rei long pad got it on sale for 79$ originally $120 I think so grabbed it up last year. it worked great too just enough off the ground an not too heavy with good r value. Thanks

I'm 6'6" 210. The biggest challenge for guys like us is finding clothes that fit us, and gear that fits that doesn't weigh 3 times what it should. After that challenge the hunt is a breeze. Which NBA bow did you go with and what draw length? I'm shooting the Freak this year at 32 1/2".

Solo is better anyway, no one there but yourself to screw things up.

I just thought of it........do you play basketball? Last year Rokslide had a 3 on 3 team for some tourney, heck with you (6'8") and I (6'6") and Longbow42 (6'9") we'd have a heck of a team.

. Yeh I got the kanab pants with the suspenders I where them low on the waist an not to tight gives me freedom when walking. Then I usually have my gators on parts of the day so not to bad with the length. Also have a lot of merino wool stuff short in the arms but just deal with it keeps me warm enough. I just had a custom new breed built. Got the draw length at 34 1/8" with 38" axle to axle. Big bow. But I was shooting a mattews 32" draw broken arm style so feels way better to have a bow that fits after all these years. Yeh I can't wait to test out my solo capabilities so be fun. Haha don't really like basketball too easy was a baseball player(pitcher,first basemen)


Thanks a lot guys for all these tips I know a lot of you have hunted out west for elk your entire lives an have figure out what is on the top of the list of wants an need to haves out there while hunting.

 

[5MilesBack]

Haha don't really like basketball too easy was a baseball player(pitcher,first basemen)

Don't tell me you're left-handed. I played first and pitched as well as a lefty. Basketball too easy?? Basketball is like quantum physics compared to baseball.

 

[sneaky]

You know what's like quantum physics? Women. Lol. I'm 6'4 so I know how it feels finding gear that works and doesn't weigh a ton.

 

[bourbon]

I'm 6'6" 210. The biggest challenge for guys like us is finding clothes that fit us, and gear that fits that doesn't weigh 3 times what it should. After that challenge the hunt is a breeze. Which NBA bow did you go with and what draw length? I'm shooting the Freak this year at 32 1/2".

Solo is better anyway, no one there but yourself to screw things up.

I just thought of it........do you play basketball? Last year Rokslide had a 3 on 3 team for some tourney, heck with you (6'8") and I (6'6") and Longbow42 (6'9") we'd have a heck of a team.

Im 6'6" / 260 ... yes finding hunting clothes sucks. Heck finding any clothes sucks. When i got married i had to buy my tux so it could be properly tailored. I was told at one rental place that the rentals dont come in linebacker size. =(

 

[5MilesBack]

Im 6'6" / 260 ...(

If I had that size there is no doubt I would have played Pro football. I always said God gave me a 6'6" 290lb attitude on a 6'6" 200lb frame.

 

[Bigmike68]

Yeh my gear doesn't fit too bad I'm use to stuff not fitting that good anyway haha
Was thinking back on topic also now that I'm gonna be solo gonna prob have to upgrade my med kit? What are the basics you think should be in a med kit. I have gauze, a ace bandage wrap, space blanket ,anti-infected wipes , bandages ,duct tape an super glue Thanks

 

[sneaky]

Butterfly band aids in case you really screw up

 

[Bonedalien]

going solo, one of the smaller cow elk decoys might help a ton. since you dont have a partner calling, you set your decoy 30-40 yards behind you . if you have one coming in to your calls he will see an elk and hopefully walk past you and not too you. just an other tool in your bag that could make the difference.
best of luck!

 

[Bigmike68]

going solo, one of the smaller cow elk decoys might help a ton. since you dont have a partner calling, you set your decoy 30-40 yards behind you . if you have one coming in to your calls he will see an elk and hopefully walk past you and not too you. just an other tool in your bag that could make the difference.
best of luck!

True I was thinking about that when moving in on them. Wasn't sure to call or not ussauly I do a location call then cow call when closer. Has anyone else used them decoys on here with success? Thanks.

 

[cnelk]

8 game bags?
Elk aren't that big
5 should do it, bring 6 if if you want.

 

[poisonarrow]

I have a decoy that works great for a solo hunter. Poisonarrowgear.com. You can use it on your bow or take it off and put it behind you if that is what you want. Check em' out.

 

[KH_bowfly]

I'd keep Tylenol in the med kit. Or whatever works for your headaches. That is one thing that can really knock me down on a trip.

 

[Bigmike68]

I have a decoy that works great for a solo hunter. Poisonarrowgear.com. You can use it on your bow or take it off and put it behind you if that is what you want. Check em' out.

I guess the left or right doesn't matter if it's gonna be behind me I'll just set up,on the opposite side it's looking. Have u had bulls come in closer because of the decoys thanks they do look nice.

I'd keep Tylenol in the med kit. Or whatever works for your headaches. That is one thing that can really knock me down on a trip.

Standard always have a anti headache cure with me with all them altitude changes. last year wasn't bad tho didn't really need it except one night after a long day.

 

[poisonarrow]

I guess the left or right doesn't matter if it's gonna be behind me I'll just set up,on the opposite side it's looking. Have u had bulls come in closer because of the decoys thanks they do look nice.

You sound like me. You figure it out and then go do it. In elk hunting it doesn't work that way.

They will be where you wouldn't think. You will see them when you least expect. The bull will come from the direction that he isn't supposed to.

Go prepared, that means, go and hunt for a week and expect to see something at any moment. If you haven't seen anything for six days, still be prepared. The one shot opportunity you may have will, most likely, not be like all the videos you have watched.

 

[Eric Bailey]

Good luck on your hunt, Mike. One thing that might give you some confidence is having an outfitter on call if you need them for the pack out. You can find a list of the licensed outfitters for your area here:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5281134

Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see permitted outfitters by ranger district. I'm pretty sure you want the eagle/holy cross list.

 

[Bonedalien]

They will be where you wouldn't think. You will see them when you least expect. The bull will come from the direction that he isn't supposed to. .

Amen! I think this is what hooks so many of us. Experience with elk is invaluable and key in killing one, yet every single elk is different. Its something that drives some to obsess year around.

 

[Cross]

custom new breed built. Got the draw length at 34 1/8" with 38" axle to axle. Big bow.

Man that is a long draw length, what is your arrow setup? I don't know if you have chronographed it but that bow and draw length sounds like it is zeuss's thunderbolt.

I would like to see a picture of your custom bow if your willing to post one.

 

[Archerm]

I have packed out my share solo and it is no joke especially during bow season. I always have a plan for getting the meat out as fast and as efficient as possible. I have never lost any meat. Know what you need to do ahead of time. My wife hated me going solo mainly because I always pack in for 7 days at a time. With zero cell service where I hunt she would only hear from me after the 7th and 14th day. That changed a few years ago when I purchased a spot. At least with it I can send pre-programed messages to her to let her know all is well. And if something happens you can send a SOS. I have never had a message not go through since I started to use the spot. I would also bring a packet or two of Blood clotting gauze with you. It is light and easy to carry. I like Aleve because you only need two pills for a long period of time. I love long solo hunts it is nice to get away from everything for a while.