Would I be in over my head? - Colorado Elk

[Sccritterkiller]

Everybody is in over their head the 1st time. You don't know till you go. GO!

 

[Quandary]

I can voucher for hereinaz's physical stature !

 

[Nicaburns]

Do it! And keep at it every year… sure wish I had stayed at it after my first year but let life get in the way… didn’t get back after it until 30 years later!

 

[LongWayAround]

They're just big deer. Send it.

There's more info on here for clothing and gear than you could ever read through.

 

[D_wit22]

Do it. Archery Elk hunting is the ultimate team sport.

 

[hereinaz]

I can voucher for hereinaz's physical stature !

I am not known for a sleek physique these days… Like they say, if your diet consists of Ding Dongs and Cheetos, you better be dumb. Or, maybe it’s if you are dumb, you better be tough.

Either way, the pack out 700 yards to camp about killed me last year.

Or, maybe that saved me cause I spent the prior 8 days chasing elk up and down the mountains 3-5 miles…

 

[hereinaz]

Everybody is in over their head the 1st time. You don't know till you go. GO!

This is true, and I am still in over my head after a few years. That’s what makes it an adventure!

 

[CMF]

Commit. My only regret is not going out west sooner. I'd do it again out of shape with walmart gear if I had to camp the entire way and ride 3 deep in a single cab.

 

[bz_711]

Wish I'd have started when I was 25...

 

[hereinaz]

Commit. My only regret is not going out west sooner. I'd do it again out of shape with walmart gear if I had to camp the entire way and ride 3 deep in a single cab.

I would beg to be the 4th and ride in the bed…

What we wish we would have known.

 

[Luxin Tenebris]

Yes, you’ll be in over your head. Still definitely go. It will only get harder as you get older.

 

[rogerdoger]

Try being a dad, you are in over your head every day. Once you are a dad those trips are harder to do and make time for. You should go and have a good story for your kids and teach him/her to hunt. Since you are 25 getting in shape should be no problem. I am 46 coming of walking pneumonia, have 2 kids, I drew and awesome elk tag. I am arguing with the wife about how much time I can take off, struggling to squeeze in workouts, and trying to stop by home to hide the shit I buy online. It will never be easier than know, even if you are a bit out of shape.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Try being a dad, you are in over your head every day. Once you are a dad those trips are harder to do and make time for. You should go and have a good story for your kids and teach him/her to hunt. Since you are 25 getting in shape should be no problem. I am 46 coming of walking pneumonia, have 2 kids, I drew and awesome elk tag. I am arguing with the wife about how much time I can take off, struggling to squeeze in workouts, and trying to stop by home to hide the shit I buy online. It will never be easier than know, even if you are a bit out of shape.

So much truth, I’m a Co native so been able to do the elk thing since I could take myself, but now having 2 kids under 3 and another on the way, it is infinitely harder than just a few years ago when I could scout and hunt as much as i want, and did, and that’s with most of my hunt 3 hours or less from home, some of it under an hour. It will never be easier than 25 with your brother

 

[Maverick1]

My brother called yesterday to say he had a lead on a Colorado Elk hunt. Local with a cabin that backed up to public land and he wants to know if I'm in.

I am still a learning hunter, got my first deer last year in WI after four years of trying. My brother was on staff at Philmont scout ranch (Sangre De Cristo mountains) for years, and has helped some buddies in TX on elk and auodad hunts. He is comfortable and skilled in the mountains. I did a 10 day trek at Philmont myself 7 years ago, our route was 120 miles, starting from the south end of the property, and ending at the north on the chase ranch. I was the oldest boy on my crew and my pack averaged 60-65lbs.

I've not kept up with strength and endurance training well the last five or so years. I'm 25, weigh approximately 165lbs I believe. But obviously could work towards building strength back up.

Give me your gut take, should I commit? For those who know Philmont, how much harder is getting after elk going to be?

You are asking a bunch of hunters if you should go hunting? Duh.

Just do it.

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[WISGUY]

It's just walking. A lot of walking.

 

[kcm2]

Depends upon whether you kill an elk a mile above camp or a mile below.

 

[patagonialuke]

At 28 y/o, last year was my first season hunting elk in CO — first time hunting anything, for that matter. Finally committing to it was one of the best decisions I've ever made (especially if I don't think about its impact on my wallet...).

There are tons of great resources out there, but the main thing I'd recommend for prep is to just walk around with a fairly heavy (40+ lbs) pack, whether you can go for a mile or 10+. And do so using the footwear, layers, gear, etc. you plan to bring on the hunt. Good for the exercise, but also to figure out whether any of your gear might cause you trouble.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Looks like you got your answer! Only seems fair to present a counter argument though.

What if the cabin is totally lame or it has ghosts? There might not be any Wi-Fi. Is an elk worth all that?

 

[Crowmangler]

Going elk hunting is always better than not going elk hunting

 

[Laelkhunter]

A trip to the Rockies during elk hunting season, carrying a rifle???? Must be a trick question. GO dammit GO !!!!!!