Typical day of Bivvy Hunting

[Netherman]

Hi All. I am planning my first backpack archery elk hunt this fall and am wondering how more experienced hunters spend a typical day. I’ve been spending a lot of time on GE looking for those north facing slopes, meadows, and water sources. I think I have a good idea of the areas I want to hunt but am curious how you guys spend a typical day.

My current plan is:
1. Take two steps into the wilderness area, shoot a giant elk, pack back to truck, drink victory beers… (Not that I would be opposed to this sequence of events but that’s not exactly the type of experience I am looking for)

My real plan (group of 3):
Day of Arrival Afternoon: Arrive around noon incredibly tired after a 20+ hour drive and hike to first planned camp site, south facing slop or elevation providing a vantage point of planned hunting areas.

Day of Arrival Evening: Set camp and start glassing meadows, water sources, and travel paths. Make plan for Day 2.

Day of Hunting A Morning: If glassing produced and a plan to hunt those elk was made. Leave camp set up leave dark and early and go fast and light to hunt.

Day of Hunting A Afternoon: If morning hunt wasn’t successful but the elk weren’t blown out of the area make a plan and get back at them or make an evening plan.

Day of Hunting Evening: If evening hunt is unsuccessful head back under cover of darkness and make a plan for the next day.

Day of Hunting B Morning: If glassing didn’t produce move to next camp location while making occasional location bugles.

Day of Hunting B Afternoon: If location bugles produce, make a plan to hunt immediately or later on in the day. If not search lower areas for elk sign and make an evening plan.

Day of Hunting B Evening: Be either actively hunting an elk or set up at camp glassing.

Nick

 

[toddb]

Sounds like a good plan on all accounts. We have 20 hour ride each year from wisconsin to colorado each year. Getting tougher and tougher as we age. Plan for worst and go from there. Check truck out good at each fuel stop , found a screw working into tire once at 2:30 in morning, miles from nowhere. Don't leave anyone at a gas station. Nephew got gas at 3:00 one morning, hopped back in and left one of group at gas station peeing. They thought he was still sleeping in back seat. Lol. Call credit card companies ahead of time and tell travel plans so they won't put a hold on your cards. And plan on hunters being in your area, especially opening day or weekend. Middle of week you lose lots of hunters and hikers.

 

[under h2o hunter]

When you are elk hunting the best laid plans go out the window 9 out of 10 times because the elk always forget to follow the game plan... That being said here is my suggestion for you. Get to where you think you'll have the best opportunity to have some close encounters. I would set your camp and hunt out from there. If they are bugling then chase those bugles. If they are not bugling then I would spend some time behind your glass as high as possible looking down and figure out where the elk are feeding and bedding. Even if you can only spend a day glassing it will give you a better idea of where to set up early and late as well as where you may want to quietly slip into their bedroom and softly cow call.

 

[FigureItOutdoors]

Agreed, take it slow. Be methodical, make a plan and follow the sign. Often times where they should be, they aren't.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Is your plan to bivy hunt or backpack hunt?

 

[Elkangle]

Planning...rule number one go where the elk are...everything else takes care of its self

 

[ndbwhunter]

A plan is never a bad thing, but I wouldn't plan on sticking to it. Get to where you want to be, and let the elk dictate your next move.

 

[Netherman]

Is your plan to bivy hunt or backpack hunt?

I'm not entirely sure what the differences are, but I think this is what I am trying to decide.

Should I hunt with camp on my back each day or set up in an area and plan on staying while the elk are around? I think the danger of not having camp on our backs is that if we want to make a move we would have to hike back to our tents and pack before we could start moving. On the other hand, I think we will be able to move quicker and quieter without the weight of our packs.

Nick

 

[elkyinzer]

What is your level of experience and gear setup with backpacking in general? That's going to be a big determinant.

Elk hunting isn't easy. Carrying your camp around all day isn't easy either. Setting up camp and breaking it down each day takes a lot of time, but gets better with experience. Much of the time, combining the two for a first time elk hunter isn't going to make for a pleasant hunt.

As I was planning my first elk hunt with all the zeal and enthusiasm of a first timer, I had every intention to carry my camp around like a beast and chase 6 x 6 bulls up and down the mountain, just like on the youtubes. When I realized my "essential" camp gear weighed 60 pounds and just how steep stacked lines on a topo map are in person, that zeal quickly faded and I came up with a better plan on the fly to setup a spike camp. Since then I have backpacked outside of hunting season a bunch and I get better equipment and improve my skills each year. I am now bivy-capable, but to be honest I don't like that style of hunting very much, it's just another tool in the toolbelt. To be honest, if I have to employ that, it means I am struggling to find and stay on the elk, so it is not a good thing to have to bust out.

In my opinion, bivy hunt (hunt with camp always on your back) if that is the type of experience you want, but not with the intention that it significantly ups your odds of success. As far as plans, my advice is simple....study elk habits, study maps until you memorize every little ridge and bench in your core areas, and then find the elk and just hunt. By that I mean don't overthink. Use the wind, be a predator, know some basic calls, but don't overthink the details. Let your instincts take over.

 

[Netherman]

What is your level of experience and gear setup with backpacking in general? That's going to be a big determinant.

Elk hunting isn't easy. Carrying your camp around all day isn't easy either. Setting up camp and breaking it down each day takes a lot of time, but gets better with experience. Much of the time, combining the two for a first time elk hunter isn't going to make for a pleasant hunt.

As I was planning my first elk hunt with all the zeal and enthusiasm of a first timer, I had every intention to carry my camp around like a beast and chase 6 x 6 bulls up and down the mountain, just like on the youtubes. When I realized my "essential" camp gear weighed 60 pounds and just how steep stacked lines on a topo map are in person, that zeal quickly faded and I came up with a better plan on the fly to setup a spike camp. Since then I have backpacked outside of hunting season a bunch and I get better equipment and improve my skills each year. I am now bivy-capable, but to be honest I don't like that style of hunting very much, it's just another tool in the toolbelt. To be honest, if I have to employ that, it means I am struggling to find and stay on the elk, so it is not a good thing to have to bust out.

In my opinion, bivy hunt (hunt with camp always on your back) if that is the type of experience you want, but not with the intention that it significantly ups your odds of success. As far as plans, my advice is simple....study elk habits, study maps until you memorize every little ridge and bench in your core areas, and then find the elk and just hunt. By that I mean don't overthink. Use the wind, be a predator, know some basic calls, but don't overthink the details. Let your instincts take over.

I went backpacking for the first time last fall when I started planning this hunt and have been on a few weekend trips since then. I figured I should learn backpack before I go. That way I only have to learn to elk hunt. I have been on a few 20+ mile hikes but am still a little worried how the flatlands of Michigan will translate to the altitude and steepness of Colorado. I am unsure of my ability to hike with less oxygen, steeper terrain, and a heavier pack all for 5 days.

Based on everyone's input. My plan will to pack as though I am on a bivy hunt and then set up a spike-esque camp to hunt from and only move as the elk dictate.

Thanks!

Nick

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I have been on a few 20+ mile hikes but am still a little worried how the flatlands of Michigan will translate to the altitude and steepness of Colorado. I am unsure of my ability to hike with less oxygen, steeper terrain, and a heavier pack all for 5 days.

Find ANYTHING with some terrain to it and start doing some laps on it even if its the side of an overpass and you think you look foolish. Nothing is going to help you more than having your legs used to going up/down hill. Training to walk 20+mi even with a heavy pack on isn't going to engage your legs in the same way (upward motion and bent feet), you'll chew up your legs quickly on the steeps if ill prepared. $0.02 as a Michigan native now living at a mile up, the altitude doesn't hit me as hard but the steeps do if I haven't trained properly.

 

[SWVA_Tim]

Going off of what pods8 suggested ...If you have a stadium or coliseum in your area they are great places to get in some stairs. Start off with no pack and slowly work yourself up.