Team 8 "Heavy Hitters"
09-09-2014, 03:16 PM
#33
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Southampton Pa BUCKS CO
Posts: 2,492
09-10-2014, 11:45 AM
#36
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 790
Yes, first trip. Going to be completely different than here in Iowa. Never seen the mountains before so no matter what the trip will be a success in my books. Hoping to do a little bit of filming also.
09-10-2014, 04:28 PM
#37
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Southampton Pa BUCKS CO
Posts: 2,492
Hatchet Jack
09-11-2014, 05:25 AM
#38
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,927
iayotehunter I hope you're getting conditioned and remember to hydrate BEFORE you get there. It helps with altitude sickness. I was force drinking water the whole drive there and had no problems other than not being able to breathe. LOL. The other advice I'd give is take your time. These aren't whitetails and it's a game of days not one shot opportunities like with a roaming buck. If you spot a elk worth shooting don't force the situation. Only go for it if the circumstances are just right. If not back out and he'll most likely be in the same area tomorrow. If you blow it he WILL run out of your zone and then you won't get another shot. Most of the hunt is just finding them. Once you find them take your time and make the situation right. Ask me how I know. 
Hatchet Jack, when I went I went with my Dad. He was 73 at the time. We had to go slow and couldn't go in deep. But we saw elk and even got close on a nice bull. (see above) Going slow in the mountains with elk is not a bad thing. So I'd say you have plenty of time. But go sooner because you'll likely want to go back again and again.
Hatchet Jack, when I went I went with my Dad. He was 73 at the time. We had to go slow and couldn't go in deep. But we saw elk and even got close on a nice bull. (see above) Going slow in the mountains with elk is not a bad thing. So I'd say you have plenty of time. But go sooner because you'll likely want to go back again and again.
09-11-2014, 05:42 PM
#39
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Southampton Pa BUCKS CO
Posts: 2,492
iayotehunter I hope you're getting conditioned and remember to hydrate BEFORE you get there. It helps with altitude sickness. I was force drinking water the whole drive there and had no problems other than not being able to breathe. LOL. The other advice I'd give is take your time. These aren't whitetails and it's a game of days not one shot opportunities like with a roaming buck. If you spot a elk worth shooting don't force the situation. Only go for it if the circumstances are just right. If not back out and he'll most likely be in the same area tomorrow. If you blow it he WILL run out of your zone and then you won't get another shot. Most of the hunt is just finding them. Once you find them take your time and make the situation right. Ask me how I know.
Hatchet Jack, when I went I went with my Dad. He was 73 at the time. We had to go slow and couldn't go in deep. But we saw elk and even got close on a nice bull. (see above) Going slow in the mountains with elk is not a bad thing. So I'd say you have plenty of time. But go sooner because you'll likely want to go back again and again.
Hatchet Jack, when I went I went with my Dad. He was 73 at the time. We had to go slow and couldn't go in deep. But we saw elk and even got close on a nice bull. (see above) Going slow in the mountains with elk is not a bad thing. So I'd say you have plenty of time. But go sooner because you'll likely want to go back again and again.
Hatchet Jack
09-12-2014, 05:50 AM
#40
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location:
Posts: 1,927
You can do the CO hunt on the cheap if you realize that success is based on the experience. The biggest expense will be your tag and gas. Other than that it's just basically a camping trip in the national forest. If you are going to be bowhunting then that is early in the season, usually, and the elk will be high up, above the timberline. Most of the time you will just be doing long range scouting and then you try to get in position with the wind for the shot. You may have to wait a day to try. It only has to be as extreme as you want to make it. We never hiked more than a mile and I saw a 300"+ bull. Granted, if you want to pack in farther you'll have a better chance but it increases logistics. It can be done easier. We drove up pre-dawn to the timberline and then sat in the truck and spotted for elk. When we spotted one we tried to move into position. If you chose to pack in you could just hike in and have prearranged deal with someone with horses willing to pack out the elk if you are successful. Another alternative is to have a base camp which you can setup out of your truck and then spike camp a night or two up high.