Hi bk,
WOW is it Monday or what. Flatlander?????? You will soon be initiated into the brother hood of ELK!!
Wilderness areas are a great place to hunt, if you cannot only get in. But if you are successful you must also have a plan to get your meat out as well. Backpack hunting sounds like a lot of fun and it is!! IMO it is the most mentally challenging and rewarding type of hunt that a person can do.
But.........It WILL kick your BUTT
. I am not trying to scare you off. But if this is what you want to do??? You need to start now by getting in shape..and I'm not really talking about treadmill shape. They are OK for cardio but it will not work your joints as well as getting out there and hiking with a loaded pack. Get yourself winded!!!!!This may sound funny coming from a guy but. If you can find a place where you won't get heckled too bad. I would suggest a lot of stretching (yoga) exercises.
WOW I can't believe I just wrote that.
Anyway........To get into most areas and away from the perimeter hunting pressure I would say that you are looking at a good 3-5 mile hike in. Some are more some less. The area where I hunt I usually go in about 3miles starting from 9,800 ft and end up right at 12,000 ft. Ithen set up a camp close to running water is best. for several reasons. One is the obvious... readily available water. a second would be to help mask your camp noise and third is that if you are hunting uphill from your camp the cooler air temps will tend to take your scent down hill for a longer period of time during the day.Did I mention NO FIRE!!!!
You won't need one unless you get into trouble. Use a mini pack stove to heat up your meals and water ( I use an MSR Pocket Rocket) other that that you will be too tired to worry about lazin' around a fire. Be prepared for the weather (ALL WEATHER) as well. I have gone one year and it snowed 12in. another it was 75* and this last year I got about 4in. of hail and at 12,00ft. the thunder and lightning will get you prayin' real fast
There is really so much I could say. But would like to see what some of the other guy's/gal's might add.
Any more ??????? Don't hesitate to ask!!!!!
Bill