Sounds like elk hunting in about any area.

Interesting thread. I didn't follow it for a few days, but it got interesting. It is hard to resolve the differences between expectations and reality. The tent deal, well someone dropped the ball I suppose. Send the unhappy client a couple of hundred bucks back and don't ever book him again.

I will say manofdeath, if you believe you were wronged you need to address it directly with the outfitter and give him a chance to make things right by you. If you are concerned others may be done wrong, then it is good to get the word out. However, you need to be careful that all you post is factual. If you assert there were no elk in that area, when indeed there were; or that it wasn't scouted, when indeed it was; then you are crossing the lines of slander or libel. If a person causes damage to another person (an outfitter in this case) through slander or libel, then they are setting themselves up for a possible civil suit.

This isn't really directed toward manofdeath or shay, but to those considering elk hunting who haven't. You can't control elk. They cover a lot of ground. If it is a wilderness area, there will no doubt be elk. Even regular elk hunters seem reluctant to do what it takes in lean years or in areas where the population is down. This year I listened to the majority of hunters complaining that there were no elk. Sign was slim compared to most years, and the elk were scattered more, rather than herded up as usual during October. Still we saw elk most times we went up and the rare sign everytime. I've seen more elk between 10 am and 4 pm then in the early mornings and late evenings together. If your in camp more than to sleep and grab a pre/post sleeping bag bite to eat, then you are robbing yourself of valuable hunting time. If you are at camp during mid day, then you are definately not coving a LOT of country that requires dark to dark hiking.

We can all get lucky at times, and the fact is that a wilderness hunt is not necessarily a better chance at a big bull then easier hunts in other areas. Most people have no idea how rough some country can be. I've lived and hunted in several ranges. Where I'm at now makes many ranges look tame. Run up the Snake River canyon south of Jackson and you'll see steep that sets the standard for tough country. You may have experience in one area and find it does nothing to prepare you for a another.

There is nothing like hunting elk, and--except maybe seeking monster muleys--it can test your mettle like nothing else as well. If your going on a mountain elk hunt, be prepared for harsh, steep country, for blizzards and below zero weather, keep yourself well hydrated with water (not too many sugar drinks), take clothes for any weather: dry or wet; -20 to +90... Its hard to get in shape for high altitude hunting at a low altitude. You can condition the muscles, and get the cardo vascular to peak for your altitude, but will still feel like your having a major asthma attack climbing at 9500 ft. Arriving a few days early and spending them up high, before you join up with your outfitter, will help to acclimatize. Even a couple of days at 6000 ft will help.