a little help with Colorado preference point system
12-23-2014 | 09:40 AM
#31
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 9,557
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From: Colorado
You'll get dehydrated faster at high altitude, but even drinking a lot will not help you adjust to high altitude. It will just be worse if you don't drink a lot.
It's the lack of oxygen that your body needs to adjust to. I live at 8000ft, and every spring when I go back up to 11,000ft I need time to adjust to it.
You'll never be as strong, or have as much energy at high altitude as you will at lower altitude no matter how much you adjust to it. So, it's important to be in the best shape you can. Just being in ok shape at low altitude won't work. You'll be laying camp while everybody else is out hunting.
It's the lack of oxygen that your body needs to adjust to. I live at 8000ft, and every spring when I go back up to 11,000ft I need time to adjust to it.
You'll never be as strong, or have as much energy at high altitude as you will at lower altitude no matter how much you adjust to it. So, it's important to be in the best shape you can. Just being in ok shape at low altitude won't work. You'll be laying camp while everybody else is out hunting.
12-23-2014 | 09:46 AM
#32
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 8,019
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From: Allegan, MI
Yep! I can go all day out in Wyoming at about 6500'-7000' where we hunt with not even a day of acclamation. This year I went right out and tried to do some scouting for a guy at a little over 9200' and it whipped my butt real quick and I was sitting down every 100 yards. I went about 1 1/2 miles and went back to the truck and went down low! I couldn't believe how different that 2500' difference in elevation was. Oh, incidentally I'm 67 and in dang good shape for my age, but even at 31 you'll quickly find out what we're saying!
12-23-2014 | 06:59 PM
#34
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,722
Likes: 0
From: Kerrville, Tx. USA
There are several good reasons to hunt the first rifle even though it is only 5 days
1) Limited numbers of elk hunters (no OTC licenses) AND no deer hunters. This is an elk only season.
2) As stated, you usually catch the tail end of the rut, which is always a good thing.
3) You will start the hunt after the longest non hunting period since archery season opens. Generally, there is about 2-3 weeks between the close of archery season and the first rifle season Gives elk time to relax and get back in their regular habits. Compared to hunting in the second season (OTC) where the elk only get 2 days after the first season until the second season starts.
4) Success rates are generally higher in the first vs the second season. In the last 2 years, the first season was 20 and 24%, while the second season was 16 and 11%
With 80% odds of drawing with 0 point, things would have to really change for you not be drawn with 1 point. Good luck
1) Limited numbers of elk hunters (no OTC licenses) AND no deer hunters. This is an elk only season.
2) As stated, you usually catch the tail end of the rut, which is always a good thing.
3) You will start the hunt after the longest non hunting period since archery season opens. Generally, there is about 2-3 weeks between the close of archery season and the first rifle season Gives elk time to relax and get back in their regular habits. Compared to hunting in the second season (OTC) where the elk only get 2 days after the first season until the second season starts.
4) Success rates are generally higher in the first vs the second season. In the last 2 years, the first season was 20 and 24%, while the second season was 16 and 11%
With 80% odds of drawing with 0 point, things would have to really change for you not be drawn with 1 point. Good luck
12-23-2014 | 07:12 PM
#36
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,722
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From: Kerrville, Tx. USA
You will be fine with the altitude if you plan well. Regardless of what you hear "being in great shape" probably has nothing to do with whether or not the altitude will affect you, but it sure helps with the elk hunting! I have altitude problems and here is what works great for me:
1) Drink water and drink more water. Avoid caffeine or alcohol until you are well adjusted (usually 3-4 days)
2) Try and arrive early and stay lower for a night. The hardest time I have is when I fly and go from sea level to 10,000 ft in 12 hours. When I drive and stay down at 6,000-7000 ft the first night it helps. Also try not to do anything strenuous the first day you get to altitude
3) Take one of the herbal altitude products. I know of only two that work for sure: Altitude adjustment, and altitude advantage. I have used both and they really do help. Relatively inexpensive too.
4) Have antacids such as rolaids or tums. Altitude can make your blood slightly acid and taking antacids can help.
I used to take actual drugs (Diamox) for altitude, but it requires a prescription and has side effects. The altitude products have replaced that without the side effects and no prescription needed! I am not one who things herbs and cure anything, but these have both worked for me. I generally use altitude adjustment because it is made in Colorado and they are sold by 3 day packs. $5 each I think, and I have never needed more than 2 packs (6 days) so for $10 and shipping, I can be without altitude problems. http://altitude-adjustment.com/
1) Drink water and drink more water. Avoid caffeine or alcohol until you are well adjusted (usually 3-4 days)
2) Try and arrive early and stay lower for a night. The hardest time I have is when I fly and go from sea level to 10,000 ft in 12 hours. When I drive and stay down at 6,000-7000 ft the first night it helps. Also try not to do anything strenuous the first day you get to altitude
3) Take one of the herbal altitude products. I know of only two that work for sure: Altitude adjustment, and altitude advantage. I have used both and they really do help. Relatively inexpensive too.
4) Have antacids such as rolaids or tums. Altitude can make your blood slightly acid and taking antacids can help.
I used to take actual drugs (Diamox) for altitude, but it requires a prescription and has side effects. The altitude products have replaced that without the side effects and no prescription needed! I am not one who things herbs and cure anything, but these have both worked for me. I generally use altitude adjustment because it is made in Colorado and they are sold by 3 day packs. $5 each I think, and I have never needed more than 2 packs (6 days) so for $10 and shipping, I can be without altitude problems. http://altitude-adjustment.com/
12-23-2014 | 07:15 PM
#37
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
12-23-2014 | 07:21 PM
#38
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
You will be fine with the altitude if you plan well. Regardless of what you hear "being in great shape" probably has nothing to do with whether or not the altitude will affect you, but it sure helps with the elk hunting! I have altitude problems and here is what works great for me:
1) Drink water and drink more water. Avoid caffeine or alcohol until you are well adjusted (usually 3-4 days)
2) Try and arrive early and stay lower for a night. The hardest time I have is when I fly and go from sea level to 10,000 ft in 12 hours. When I drive and stay down at 6,000-7000 ft the first night it helps. Also try not to do anything strenuous the first day you get to altitude
3) Take one of the herbal altitude products. I know of only two that work for sure: Altitude adjustment, and altitude advantage. I have used both and they really do help. Relatively inexpensive too.
4) Have antacids such as rolaids or tums. Altitude can make your blood slightly acid and taking antacids can help.
I used to take actual drugs (Diamox) for altitude, but it requires a prescription and has side effects. The altitude products have replaced that without the side effects and no prescription needed! I am not one who things herbs and cure anything, but these have both worked for me. I generally use altitude adjustment because it is made in Colorado and they are sold by 3 day packs. $5 each I think, and I have never needed more than 2 packs (6 days) so for $10 and shipping, I can be without altitude problems. http://altitude-adjustment.com/
1) Drink water and drink more water. Avoid caffeine or alcohol until you are well adjusted (usually 3-4 days)
2) Try and arrive early and stay lower for a night. The hardest time I have is when I fly and go from sea level to 10,000 ft in 12 hours. When I drive and stay down at 6,000-7000 ft the first night it helps. Also try not to do anything strenuous the first day you get to altitude
3) Take one of the herbal altitude products. I know of only two that work for sure: Altitude adjustment, and altitude advantage. I have used both and they really do help. Relatively inexpensive too.
4) Have antacids such as rolaids or tums. Altitude can make your blood slightly acid and taking antacids can help.
I used to take actual drugs (Diamox) for altitude, but it requires a prescription and has side effects. The altitude products have replaced that without the side effects and no prescription needed! I am not one who things herbs and cure anything, but these have both worked for me. I generally use altitude adjustment because it is made in Colorado and they are sold by 3 day packs. $5 each I think, and I have never needed more than 2 packs (6 days) so for $10 and shipping, I can be without altitude problems. http://altitude-adjustment.com/
12-23-2014 | 08:07 PM
#40
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Sort of, but he's saying being in shape won't help the altitude problem. I feel it does.
The altitude exaggerates what shape you're in. I've gone up to high altitude in the spring when I didn't train much during the winter, and when I trained hard all winter.
I felt like I adjusted much faster the better shape I was in. The altitude saps your strength and energy. If you don't have a lot of reserve strength and energy the altitude will drop you down so low you can hardly walk.
Even after you adjust to the altitude. You won't be as strong as you are at sea level. You need reserves.
The altitude exaggerates what shape you're in. I've gone up to high altitude in the spring when I didn't train much during the winter, and when I trained hard all winter.
I felt like I adjusted much faster the better shape I was in. The altitude saps your strength and energy. If you don't have a lot of reserve strength and energy the altitude will drop you down so low you can hardly walk.
Even after you adjust to the altitude. You won't be as strong as you are at sea level. You need reserves.