What range of miles and elevation do you do in a hunt day?

[lifeisgoodsteve]

Results will of course vary by state/location/etc., but am curious what is the general range you're seeing for hunting deer, elk or bear?

I'm preparing to hunt public land in California (home state) and Western States for some road trips, with zero points (over the counter or easy draws) so might need to get away from hunting pressure. Getting into and enjoy backpacking so figure likely will pack in and stay there.

Trying to gradually get in shape and wondering what's a good baseline to reach of miles and elevation in a day with a 50lb pack & rifle?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[S.Clancy]

In Montana, early archery season we generally hunt between 7000-9000 ft. We pack in 5 miles, usually only travel 6-7 miles a day during hunting, then the pack out.
Late season elk, about 6500-8500 ft, samish distance pack in, maybe 6-10 miles a day, then pack out.
Late mule deer, 3000-4000 ft elevation, if we pack in usually same mileage as elk, if day hunting we've approached 20 miles a day, usually always over 10.
What I try to do to make sure I'm ready before season is do a big hike, 20-25 miles, big elevation changes, lots of off trail, with just a day pack. This gives me an idea where I'm at.

 

[dukhunt]

About 8 miles a day for elk. 6-8K feet rifle with a daypack. This year will be my first with a bow in hand. Interested to see what others are hiking a day with a bow.

 

[bitbckt]

For B zone blacktail, elevation ranges from about 1,100 to 8,900 ft. I'm usually in the 3-4,000 ft. range and packing in less than 5 miles.

High country muleys in X zones are anywhere between 4,000 and 8,000 ft., depending on time of year. Later hunts are at lower elevations and (generally) further east toward NV than early hunts. I might see 10 miles a day if the deer are in migration.

GoHunt, OnX and similar products will help you get a sense for how zone/species/calendar changes what you should expect.

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

Thanks guys.

So when you're quoting elevations, are you talking about what elevation you're hunting at or how much elevation gain you're hiking in a day?

I'm specifically interested in how much elevation gain in a day's hiking to get a guage for when I can feel pretty good that my legs and lungs are in shape to give my self a hunting chance at filling a tag.

 

[bitbckt]

Can't speak for the others, but I was quoting elevation ranges I'd be hunting in, not total elevation change. Daily gain/loss varies a lot, even hunting the same zone between scouting and hunting.

 

[dukhunt]

Quoting elevation ranges I’m in as well. Elevation gains I have done in a day is about 1800 feet. I’m a flat lander living at sea level. The highest hill in my state is 1350 feet. I work out some but not a lot. I just take it slow and take breaks when needed. And I push it hard when I have to as well. Don’t overthink it and just have fun.

 

[S.Clancy]

Thanks guys.

So when you're quoting elevations, are you talking about what elevation you're hunting at or how much elevation gain you're hiking in a day?

I'm specifically interested in how much elevation gain in a day's hiking to get a guage for when I can feel pretty good that my legs and lungs are in shape to give my self a hunting chance at filling a tag.

I was talking elevation above sea level. We'll gain as much as 5000 ft in a day, 2000 ft average.

 

[Austink47]

In New Mexico I usually put in an average of five miles a day with 2000 feet elavation. I personally feel like I see more game on five mile days than ten mile days.

 

[S.Clancy]

In New Mexico I usually put in an average of five miles a day with 2000 feet elavation. I personally feel like I see more game on five mile days than ten mile days.

That is so true. I hear guys all the time, "yeah we put on 15-20 miles per day for a week of elk hunting"....First, unlikely. Second, if true, you should probably find a better area cause the one you're hunting is awful.

 

[bitbckt]

Agreed. That's thru-hiking, not hunting.

 

[Brock A]

When Mule deer hunting I try not to hike very much when hunting. I typically will grab all my elevation and distance on the hike in. Preferably in the dark or before season. Then when I am actually hunting I hope to only travel a mile or so because I am camped close to where I am glassing...that is unless I hop to a new drainage then all bets are off. This also applies to more early season stuff as the deer can be patterned a little easier.

I have hunted and killed a buck without going more than 50 yards from my tent and I have also hunted and killed an elk with total miles for the day being close to 20...

 

[Thess87]

5-14 miles. Depends on the spot

 

[OXN939]

When Mule deer hunting I try not to hike very much when hunting. I typically will grab all my elevation and distance on the hike in. Preferably in the dark or before season. Then when I am actually hunting I hope to only travel a mile or so because I am camped close to where I am glassing.

That's the smart way to play the game if you need to do distance to get away from the crowds in a unit. It's a lot like competitive shooting; do the easy parts (hiking in) fast, and the technically complex parts (hunting) slowly.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

Gotta a lot of world class individuals on here it seems.

 

[Wellsdw]

Elevation change 500-800’, miles less than 7. 4-5 optimum. Pack in to spike 2500’ change, 5-7 miles. Flatlander here, so I’m hurting that next day. Not gonna lie. Going to admit something I’ve done here relating to hydrating. Conserved water one pack in, lost track, and quit drinking out of the bladder bc I “ knew I was about out” felt like hell when I got to camp and still had 1/3 water left when I emptied my pack . Another pack in, ran out 2/3s in. Felt like hell when I got to our water source. Dehydration effects kick my butt for at least a
Day. Am I the only D.A. That’s done this

 

[tdhanses]

Gotta a lot of world class individuals on here it seems.

I’m not seeing anything crazy or world class stated. I think most are talking miles walked not distance as the crow flys. Pretty easy to do 8 miles in a day if you aren’t only hunting the morning and evenings, also pretty easy to gain and lose a few thousand ft in a entire day and I’m not even in Superman shape. I mean heck an 8 mile day is maybe getting back 3 miles, you don’t just hike a straight line in and come straight back out. Heck track your normal total miles walked in daily life, you might be surprised.

On avg according to my Garmin, I walk 12 miles total a day and average between 2,000-4,000ft gain/lost in elevation, this is for an entire day of hunting.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

I’m not seeing anything crazy or world class stated. I think most are talking miles walked not distance as the crow flys. Pretty easy to do 8 miles in a day if you aren’t only hunting the morning and evenings, also pretty easy to gain and lose a few thousand ft in a entire day and I’m not even in Superman shape. I mean heck an 8 mile day is maybe getting back 3 miles, you don’t just hike a straight line in and come straight back out. Heck track your normal total miles walked in daily life, you might be surprised.

On avg according to my Garmin, I walk 12 miles total a day and average between 2,000-4,000ft gain/lost in elevation, this is for an entire day of hunting.

I’m well aware what it takes to do 8 miles in a day. As well as more. I do that regularly in the mountains. What I’m confused about is the ability to do 10-20 miles for extended hunts. Because I’ve done what others are claiming here and even though I spend more time in the woods hiking then the average ten rockslides combined, I can’t see these feats as common as claimed.

Don’t know everyone’s hunting seasons. I do know 15-20 miles through rough country, for 7 days isn’t something anyone is doing. I don’t know how long guys go on hunts. But, I’m positive they’d walk through every non settled wild place America has in several weeks of multiple species hunting at these mileages.

 

[tdhanses]

I’m well aware what it takes to do 8 miles in a day. As well as more. I do that regularly in the mountains. What I’m confused about is the ability to do 10-20 miles for extended hunts. Because I’ve done what others are claiming here and even though I spend more time in the woods hiking then the average ten rockslides combined, I can’t see these feats as common as claimed.

Don’t know everyone’s hunting seasons. I do know 15-20 miles through rough country, for 7 days isn’t something anyone is doing. I don’t know how long guys go on hunts. But, I’m positive they’d walk through every non settled wild place America has in several weeks of multiple species hunting at these mileages.

Well since you are well versed in the mountains then you know there is no 15-20 mile stretch in the mountains but doesn’t mean you can’t put on 15 miles, you also then know that not every step in the mountains is up a 60* slope, over blow downs in a rock scree. There will be variations from difficult to easy all throughout. I guess we shouldn’t count the easy spots in our daily walking?

Also do you think people don’t hunt the same area day after day or do you think they only hunt it when they first walk it, like a through trail? I don’t know anyone that is just walking 100 miles from their vehicle and back. But hey we all hunt different.

 

[idahohikker]

It depends on the area. To get away in OTC areas, it's nice if you can do a 5 mile hike most days with 2000 feet of elevation gain.

In my younger days, I would do way too much hiking instead of hunting like you guys mentioned.