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Necessities for the first elk hunt.
I have a number of questions about this trip this fall. I' d like to ask a bunch of stuff, but don' t want to seem to stupid as to what I' m doing. I am trying to acquire as much knowlege as possible for this trip.
I know I can find basic stuff with old posts. Specifically, in SW colorado, what type of dangerous game might we come across? Bear, Mointain Lion etc. Is their a need, or rather, would it be advised to carry a handgun along as well on this hunt? Does Colorado offer resiprosity (sp) for concealed carry? I know I will need a frame pack, sleeping bag etc. and I know the outfitter will provide a list of things that are necessary, but any advise for me would be great. Looking back on your first hunt, what is the one thing that you wish someone would have told you to bring with? I' m sure I' ll have more questions as time goes by, but thanks in advance. Ryan |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
A lot of this your outfitter will provide but this is the stuff (I think this is about all of it) that our camp takes with us / me. The bold typed stuff I would take even if I was using an outfitter.
cabin tent wod stove cot or pad sleeping bag packable chair coleman stove day pack matches and lighter axe hand gun w/ bullets 3 knives sharpener multi tool folding saw first aid kit 100' rope small block and tackle for hanging quarters lantern toilet paper 2 flashlights w/ extra batteries binoculars 2 bugles / 2 cow calls (Depending on what season) game bags 5 sets long johns 5 pair wool socks 5 pair white socks 3 pair camo pants 3 camo shirts heavy jacket light jacket gortex jacket and pants emergency poncho space blanket boots tennis shoes for evening hours plastic coffee mug paper plates and bowls utencils pots and pans enough food and drink for the duration candy bars / energy snacks tooth brush and tooth paste soap wash rag water bottle Don' t forget your rifle and ammo;)[:o] |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Cont. from BigBulls list:
camera, film, extra batteries gun cleaning kit compass, and GPS if possible Colorado State Proclamation shooting stick, or rifle bypod hunting licence duct tape epoxy gun screw driving kit map camo cover scent products GOOD LUCK ON YOUR HUNT!!:D |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
The BIG THREE for me for a comfortable hunt is to take QUALITY:
1) Sleeping bag: skimp here and you will be miserable on cold nights. NOT FUN. A sleeping pad also helps you stay much warmer. 2) Boots: skimp here and your feet will get wet, cold, blisters, etc. 3) Long johns: Cotton is a big NONO here. You must take good a ' wicking' pair. Moisture transport is the name of the game becuase you will be hiking is steep country and that means sweat! Skimp here and when you sweat the water will stay against your body and make you cold when you stop |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
First Time,
SW Colorado? Other dangerous game -- during elk season -- essentially zero. You may see lion track but it is VERY unlikely you will ever see lion. Your elk rifle (or even a deer rifle being used for elk) will be enough for any rare, rare chance you may have of even seening a lion or bear -- let alone having a defense issue. If you were hunting up by Yellowstone (NW Wyo) or Glacier (MT) it might be a little different story (grizzlies). Colorado is pretty tame. Side arm -- too much weight and bother -- every shed ounce is precious if you are hunting in the San Juans. Looks like you are going to acquire a pretty good list so I am not going to delve into that with one exception -- GPS! I know this is a guided hunt and you are supposed to be " cared for." However, a lot of the hiking/riding is done in the dark and if you are just " following along" you will go home with many of the " secrets" left behind. Besides we' ve seen the posts where the guide and the client got seperated an things got interesting. With a GPS: (1) you' ll be able to take care of yourself to a greater degree if circumstances demand it, (2) you' ll be able to " re-live" your hunt or plan the next one by uploading the info up into a computer mapping program like " TOPO!" , (3) you may be able to do your own trip without a guide in later years if you start acquiring the navigation and orientation information needed right from the start. You don' t have to get the most expensive one. Make sure it is a convenient size with a durable antenae. Get the computer cable and map software for it. PRACTICE -- PRACTICE -- PRACTICE at home. Always name your way points --- don' t leave them as a number. It is easy to master but DON' T wait until the week before the trip! Never Go Undergunned, EKM |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Ask your outfitter to send you a list of what he provides and a recommended list of what you should bring.
As posted earlier cotton is not the best. You don' t need to spend a fortune on all new hunting gear out of Cabellas however, camo is not necessary, just earth tones is good, you will probably be wearing hunter orange anyway. Don' t go with the one big coat, wear several layers and shed or add as the temperature changes. I like to wear three different thicknesses of insulated underwear shirts then shed or add as required. Fleece is a great substitute for wool, much more comfortable and very quiet, microfleece does a good job . Some misc stuff: good warm gloves, a stocking cap to keep your head warm in the sleeping bag, good socks liner and warm pair, sunscreen, chapstick, foam earplugs in case someone snores. A good way to decide on personal items is to visualize yourself going through a day and what you will need at each step. Don' t worry about cougars and bears, you do not need a sidearm. If you are going with a good outfitter a map of the area and a compass are all you will need. GPS is cool but certainly not a necessity. You don' t need a bipod, you can use your daypack for a rest or available terrain. Think light, the less you have to carry around the more fun you will have. I would definitely bring a water jug and PUR water filter though. I would want to be responsible for making sure I could get water when needed. Get in shape, the better condition you are in the better your chances of success on your hunt. Practice off hand with your rifle. Good luck on your hunt! Lastly, the only stupid questions are the ones you don' t ask. Ask away? |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
I' m sorry but I gotta take issue with a couple items these fellers say you need. First, the plastic coffee mug. Plastic don' t belong in the mountings. Real men drink their coffee from metal cups an' got the burn scars on their lips to prove it! Plastic is fer wimmins panties an' hair curlers, not manly huntin' gear. Second, the long johns. Only proper unnerware for a elk hunter is a wool union suit, longhandles by god! Use buttons an' avoid elastic (also only proper fer wimmins unnerware). Wood, leather, steel (not stainless), an' wool. Stick with natural materials. An' fer gods sake don' t save in huntin' camp. Sign of a real greenhorn is a clean shaved face.
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RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
I can' t believe no one said a TV and remote.;) Good list bigbulls but how you gonna get all that stuff in the bush. Not to mention good protein food and to be in the best physical shape and acclimateing yourself to the higher elevations in which may take some getting use too. If you are fortunate enough to bag an elk now you have to field dress it, I like this rather than boneing because of less waste of meat. Slide the inerds on a plastic sheet and drag it a 100 or so yards off. This is when you need to be looking over your shoulder because its a known fact that the griz do come to these so called sound shots in which is like ringing a dinner bell for them. You will need 6 game bags and now must contend with getting the meat out of the bush. Can' t get all the meat out so you got to leave some? [:o] This is why its good to have a pulley and rope to pull it up in to a tree.[8D] If you can' t get in up high then leave as much of your personal clothing on the elk as possible and even urinate around it. ( The key word here is " Around" , not ON.):) Leave it where you can see the carcass for a ways off in case a bear or cat is on it when you come back, and don' t be surprised if it is dragged off somewhere.[:@] I carry pepper spray and a ruger 357 ss with a 3" barrel for self defense and it would depend on the situation as to which one use first. I did however dropped a feral dog that was with a pack with my gun though when he got down in a semi-sneak and starting snarling.[>:]
A lot of these well seasoned hunters have some great advise and like anything esle, you gotta develope your own method and its a learning experience everytime you go out. Go out and enjoy, Bobby;) |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Best to urinate right on the meat. Dependin' on the wind, the bear might not git a snoot full of yer scent by doin' it on bushes. I pee right on the quarters, where he' s bound to git wind of my claim.
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RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Beaverjack, you certainly have a way with words.:D What' s wrong with my plastic mug,:( the snap on top helps keep spills in the cup and keeps my coffee hot longer.;)
Real men drink their coffee from metal cups an' got the burn scars on their lips to prove it! Plastic is fer wimmins panties an' hair curlers, not manly huntin' gear. 121553, that stuff gets up there with the help of four horses. Add on the food and supplies for the horses and you see that we start a couple of weeks before the season. |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Fellas, a few of you have stumped me. I am by no means a veteran mountain man, but I have talked with a plethora of old timer' s who say a dangerous encounter of any kind with a cat or bear is so remote they didn' t even want to guess. So why even consider the sidearm?
Another stumper..aren' t you already carrying a gun? And if that one wacko cat decided he wanted to eat you for dinner, he would be chewin' on your orange hunting vest waaaaaaaaaaay before you got up a handgun, rifle, bow, cannon, flame-thrower, slingshot, or any other shooting contraption out there....at least that is what I have been told. Don' t read this the wrong way guys, I am not saying this with any ' you don' t know jack' kind of attitude, I will be the first to admit I know very little about the mountains. I am only stating what I have learned or read thus far on my journey, and am wondering ' why' ? Opinions? Chad |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
rookelkhunter,
If you were to visit my camp in Colorado the only firearm you' d see during the week prior to opening morning (scouting time) would be a 12ga slug gun in the kitchen (for general purposes) -- the rest are all put away -- we don' t carry firearms while scouting just during the actual hunting season. Colorado is pretty tame. As far as I can tell there was only one mention of carrying a pistol and the balance recommended that it was not needed for Colorado - just extra weight and bother. 121553 didn' t recommend a side arm for Colorado, he just stated what he personally does. With that said you got to understand that 121553 lives up by Yellowstone -- different ballgame -- grizzlies. Little different situation, side arm and bear spray (especially) makes a lot more sense -- something you can take with you when you go outside to see the stars at night or when you go to use the john in the morning or even while scouting-- one tends not to pack a loaded high power rifle absolutely every minute of every day whereas a pistol and/or spray you can. There is no guarantee that ole gizz is going to cooperate and come during daylight and during hunting season when you' ll be packing your sendero. BTW, people do hunt lion and bear -- these animals may be worthy adversaries and as rare as an offensive encounter might be, they are not invincible, even in a surprise situation -- extra " helpers" make sense in a higher risk enviornment. Never Go Undergunned, EKM |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Thanks all, I hav just a few minutes on the computer tonight, so I' m printing the list and will likely have a few more questions. Thanks in advance. Ryan
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RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Something for pre-season, Topo Maps of the area you hunt. Ive found these come in veeery handy come huntin' time! :D
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RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Fellas, a few of you have stumped me. I am by no means a veteran mountain man, but I have talked with a plethora of old timer' s who say a dangerous encounter of any kind with a cat or bear is so remote they didn' t even want to guess. So why even consider the sidearm? |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Encounters with dangerous animals are always possible when in their territory but decide what you will do if you encounter one, be prepared and don' t give it a second thought. The chances are pretty remote. I ran into a blackie once last year and once he knew what I was he ran. Bear proofing your camp will be the biggest thing. Keep trash away from camp and lock up all the food in a car or truck and a cooler and you shouldn' t have many problems. Don' t dump excess food on the ground. Bury it or put the extra away in sealed container and put it in the truck.
Pee around the meat?? I knew you guys did some strange stuff but this has taken it to a new level. You guys are pretty paranoid. Bigbulls and others have a good list but they forgot one pretty important thing. Your orange. In utah we have to have orange hats if you wear one, find out the regs in Colorado before heading out. And get you some of those Butler Creek scope covers that flip open. Usually lots of dust, branches and leaves when hiking through elk country. If you go prepared you should have a great trip. Know its a remote possibility and be prepared but don' t worry to much about cats, and bears. |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Jus' to be on the safe side, let thet bacon grease cool an' rub it on yer back. Thet way, the bears won' t come into yer camp whilst yer gone, they' ll stay on yer back trail all day. Glad to be of some help to you fellers. Ain' t no reason to have a sidearm while huntin' . A sidearm is a item of convenience, when you don' t wanna be luggin' a rifle ' round, like on a summer pack trip. A rifle is the best defense.
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RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
You' re right I don' t take it with me when I have my rifle in hand but I do take it with me when I am hanging an elk, just walking around, or any other time that I do not have my rifle with me. I can get to a hand gun on my side alot quicker than I could get to a rifle leaning up against a tree ten feet away. With Colorado doing away with spring bear hunting back in the 90' s the bear population has risen considerably. It' s better to be safe that sorry when you are not carrying your rifle. Put it this way, if you do have a bear encounter, as remote as they are, you just might wish you had a gun of some kind with you.
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RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
I' m not saying your wrong, to each his own. Wouldn' t ya say bigbulls that you knowing of so many encounters in just a few years is VERY irregular?
I don' t think I am naive or ignorant when I go out, the little that I have, it just seems like you are taking away from the experience a little if you are that concerned about a one in a million chance of actually being attacked. But if it makes you feel better, more power to ya. Being a bow hunter only, I plan on carrying some bear spray with me, and if that don' t work, God didn' t intent for me to be walking out of the woods that particular day. |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Great list. The outfitter has a list of things, but this will really help. I plan to take the .357 and as stated,wear it in camp or when I don' t have the rifle in hand. The extra three pound on the way in will be worth it to me. I have a sleeping bag that is rated to...never mind. I just checked and its only rated to 40 degrees. Surely not enough? Day pack and Frame pack? I have wool pants, but only cotton LJ' s, I sweat my a$$ of on cold days so this info is greatly appriciated. Shooting sticks are on the list, (Two of the six in our group went last year) but someone said to use the day pack? Any more coment here? Enough for now, Thanks again for all the great information.
Ryan P.S. I can return the information favors on Upland, especially pheasants and on upland dogs, specifically pointing labs. |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Yes it is very irregular. No one really hunts bears in the area that I elk hunt so that might be why there are above average numbers of bears there. That and the fact they haven' t been hunted in the spring in a good many years.
it just seems like you are taking away from the experience a little if you are that concerned about a one in a million chance of actually being attacked. |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Elkampmaster is somewhat right, that there may be a zero chance of a bear encounter happening down theire in sw Colorado and as he said in my neck of the woods here along Glacier, the situation is totally different. If you are going to be hunting in Griz country you better be BEARAWARE and be prepared for an encounter. I bowhunt the back of side of Glacier National park as it transends into British Columbia, often byself in damn well knowing that I may have to leave something behind or bed up and spend the night, and I am prepared to do either. If I have to leave it, then yes, urinate around it, it has nothing to do with being paranoid. This also will keep the coyotoes away. When you see large piles of Griz crap as your slipping through the bush nice and quiet, it doesn' t take a rocket scientist to figure out that an encounter is possible, not to mention a Blackie with some cubs. I' m not too concerned about a cougar attack, even though the thought is in the back of my head. The cat is so sneakey and quiet, you' ll never know it comeing. The bottom line is if you go in bear country then go prepared. If your going hunting in a place and there are NO bears, then I wouldn' t carrry a pistol either, Its difficult to be quiet in the bush with all this gear. Sorry if I gave the impression that sw Colorado was like this. I really do not know. But here an encounter is a common occurance, and I am not talking about seeing them I am talking about encountering them at face to face at the same time. Rookielkhunter, the odds are greater than those you stated, I had two of these encounters with Blackies last year, and one sow had two cubs. I could not even react fast enough. I do not want to encounter a Griz, I' m sure the outcome would of been different. Not trying to scare you guys, but just be safe when in bear country. Bobby;)
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RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
My last bear encouner was purdy soberin' . Big ol' griz came dashin' outta the brush one mornin' right after I' d answered nature' s call in the same place. I think I actually fed him his breakfast. The dogs got wind of him an' let out down the treeline from camp. Thet griz was mad. I nearly answered nature' s call agin right there in camp with my coffee cup in hand. My rifle was right there hangin' muzzle down from a tree by the fire. You won' t see me go off no more ' thout a shovel, a roll of toilet paper, a wet bandanner, an' my .348.
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RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
121553 I was just pulling your leg a little with the paranoid stuff, it just struck me as funny thats all. :D Never heard of urinating around the meat but then again I don' t live in Griz country. We just got them little black ones around here.
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RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
THANK TO ALL WHO POSTED HERE IT IS BIG HELP!!!!!
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RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Here are the things I cannot leave home with out on a elk hunt 1 day or 30.
1.A good pack 2.Tags 3.ammo 4.Rifle 5.Good binocs 6.Knife 7.Compass 8.Map 9.Rope 10.Warm hat 11.Gloves 12.1 extra pair of socks Dress in layers,dress in layers,this you want to remember. For me to have 3 shirts on in the morning with a vest and coat.I always were wool pants with leg gaiters when hunting. |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
From what I' ve read, a pistol is good to unload in a bears face as he chews your arm off, and that a better bear deterrant is pepper spray (the kind designed for bears).
The one item I didn' t notice listed that I generally take is a toilet seat mounted on a folding 4 legged stool that will sit over a 5 gallon bucket. Then you can either cut out bottom of bucket to place over dug hole or place trash bag in bucket. Sure beats digging a little hole every morning and squatting (kind of makes me feel like a house cat). Depending on type of tent you are using I like to take a tarp large enough to canopy over tent and also make covered area in front of tent that way you have dry place outside of tent. Also don' t forget to trench around tent. Another tip that works good if you are taking cooler for cold food freeze about 1/3 full of water, and also get everything that can be, frozen before putting in. Works good. If taking quite a bit of beef for food (not hamburger) simply freeze and place in cooler by itself and fill up air space with waded up newspapers, then tape shut. Will last amazingly long time. Venison doesn' t work like this. Also precooked meat will last alot longer (hamburger, venison). Hope some of this helps. David/Mo |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Any man thet needs a store bought toilet is dumb enough to pack a heavy belt pistol in rugged backcountry whilst he' s got a 300 mag slung over his shoulder. Pepper spray works, and besides that, anybody unloading a pistol into a bear ' thout usin' spray first or tryin' every other metod of avoidance would end up on the wrong side of the law. Very few bears or hikers die all summer long ' round here, that is until the hunting season opens an' armed numbskulls take to the bush.
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RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Beaver jack I agree on the whole toilet seat issue.
But I don' t think there is anything wrong with a pistiol,as I explained before why I carry one.I don' t think you would have to worry about it in Colorado. I say to heck with Pepper spray most pepole get to excited and use it on them selves any way. |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
BJ and BBJ,
If one was packing in on horseback I' d agree with the toilet issue. If you are power camping just off of the road, then it' s a different story. EKM |
RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
Carring a handgun while hunting in Colorado is useless extra weight. Might get some grins and funny looks from other hunters. Carry someway to test the wind.
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RE: Necessities for the first elk hunt.
The toilet seat suggestion would be if hunt at a camp close to truck. Just a little more covienant.
Something else that comes in handy for what ever is zip lock bags both gallon and quart sizes. David/Mo |
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