The Elk Thread

[drthornton]

If I am going into an area cold I look where I can drive to the highest trailhead. I then look for the heads of drainages and plan a route to cover them out to about 5 miles. Identify several of these with the creek and trail names and run that past the biologists and wardens. The key is asking informed specific questions. Use Google Earth with the Topo plugin.

To find trails, identify the mountain range or wilderness you are going in to and do a search for trails. There is a lot of info out there. You can also gauge their popularity with them as well. As 3d said, in Sept you are likely to encounter hikers on the established trails especially on the weekends.

Usually you can use the major trail for a while until you get into the heart of the country then get off to investigate those drainages. I like to look for saddles and benches on creek drainages.

[ELKAHOLIC]

Originally Posted by unclefish

Way too early to start working out for me. I don't want to peak too soon.
I usually start after July 4th and am good to go for Sept.

I'm with you Brother

[marshrat]

How difficult was it for everyone to acclimate to the different altitudes? Do I need to take it easy for the first couple of days? I was thinking about using something called Altitude Advantage from Wilderness Athlete and drinking plenty of water and electrolytes. Still getting in shape, but you never know how you will react to such an extreme elevation change.

[Split Arrow]

Originally Posted by marshrat

How difficult was it for everyone to acclimate to the different altitudes? Do I need to take it easy for the first couple of days? I was thinking about using something called Altitude Advantage from Wilderness Athlete and drinking plenty of water and electrolytes. Still getting in shape, but you never know how you will react to such an extreme elevation change.

Last year I drove in the day before the season started and immediately started scouting via foot pretty hard... I'll say that first day or two was pretty tough, but after that eveything was fine... Just be sure to drink lots of water.

[JEFFRO]

will be in chama again this year and can't wait... gona start training when i finish this dr.pepper....LOL

[drthornton]

Originally Posted by marshrat

How difficult was it for everyone to acclimate to the different altitudes? Do I need to take it easy for the first couple of days? I was thinking about using something called Altitude Advantage from Wilderness Athlete and drinking plenty of water and electrolytes. Still getting in shape, but you never know how you will react to such an extreme elevation change.

Ideally you spend a few days at gradually increasing altitudes but that is almost never an option for us Eastern guys. It's gonna take you about 3 days to "Get Your Wind" at 10,000+ ft. Every once in a while, someone will have a serious reaction but most will be OK if you just take it easy the first few days. I can tell you that I have hunted CO at 10k-11k ft and it is much harder than the 9K ft I hunt in WY.

I've never tried any supplements but there are some really experienced guys that do. If I had a hunt that included a lot 11K+ I would consider using some supplements. Otherwise water and Advil should get you through.

[marshrat]

Got a question for those who are hiking with weights. I received an email from one of the guys at Elkhunter Magazine. He told me that rather than hiking with super heavy weight (60+ lbs) to hike with 40-50 and cover some distance. Which do you think would be more productive? I can hike with 50 lbs for at least 6-7 miles right now with very little difficulty, so I bumped it up to 75lbs of weight (not counting the pack) for 6 miles the other day. Hurt like hell, but I did it. I have a bad habit of not using anything on the hike to replace electrolytes or give me a little energy boost. I will be starting this tomorrow. Instead of the 75lbs for 6 miles, maybe I should do 50 lbs for 8-10 miles. I may be going into overkill here, but I want to be as prepared as possible. Still working on the diet changes to continue dropping the weight. I have a goal of another 40 lbs before September. Thought, suggestions?

[supertrooperl14]

Originally Posted by marshrat

Got a question for those who are hiking with weights. I received an email from one of the guys at Elkhunter Magazine. He told me that rather than hiking with super heavy weight (60+ lbs) to hike with 40-50 and cover some distance. Which do you think would be more productive? I can hike with 50 lbs for at least 6-7 miles right now with very little difficulty, so I bumped it up to 75lbs of weight (not counting the pack) for 6 miles the other day. Hurt like hell, but I did it. I have a bad habit of not using anything on the hike to replace electrolytes or give me a little energy boost. I will be starting this tomorrow. Instead of the 75lbs for 6 miles, maybe I should do 50 lbs for 8-10 miles. I may be going into overkill here, but I want to be as prepared as possible. Still working on the diet changes to continue dropping the weight. I have a goal of another 40 lbs before September. Thought, suggestions?

NO matter what you do air will be hard to come by at times. You can't prepare for the elevation in TX. Work hard and give it an honest effort and you will be fine.

[ladrones]

Originally Posted by marshrat

I have a bad habit of not using anything on the hike to replace electrolytes or give me a little energy boost. I will be starting this tomorrow. Instead of the 75lbs for 6 miles, maybe I should do 50 lbs for 8-10 miles. I may be going into overkill here, but I want to be as prepared as possible. Still working on the diet changes to continue dropping the weight. I have a goal of another 40 lbs before September. Thought, suggestions?

I like to carry several packets of this:
https://guenergy.com/products/products-energy-gels

I also take a few packets of this:
http://www.emergenc.com/index.php/products/original

And some of these or similar:
http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_clif_bar/

None of these products will take up much space.

I think it is very important to maintain hydration during your hike. Plus get in the habit of eating light several times a day. 6-8 small meals. You can eat while hiking to get in the habit.

As for diet I would start at least 60-90 days before the hunt eating smaller lean protien meals troughout the day. As you progress add in some complex carbs. Avoid sodas, sweets, booze and tobbaco.

[thebomb6_99]

I got drawn for an alaska elk tag anyone want to come

[ladrones]

Here is some new info for those with altitude sickness problems.

http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/new...x?Docid=662854

[a3dhunter]

Originally Posted by ladrones

Here is some new info for those with altitude sickness problems.

Had altitude sickness two years in a row and started taking Diamox a few days before the hunt and the first few days there and haven't had a problem since.
It makes anything carbonated taste like crap, but the only time that matters is when I'm coming out of the mountains and hit a burger place for a meal for the ride home.

[marshrat]

Thanks for the suggestions on the energy products to use. As for the Diamox, where do you get that and are there any weird side effects? I don't take medicine very often, so I always get kind of nervous when taking something new. I mean a half of a Benadryl will knock me out for a day. If it is stronger than Advil, I get loopy. Don't know what the deal is. Thanks to everyone for the help. I need the energy on these hikes.

[drthornton]

Originally Posted by a3dhunter

Had altitude sickness two years in a row and started taking Diamox a few days before the hunt and the first few days there and haven't had a problem since.
It makes anything carbonated taste like crap, but the only time that matters is when I'm coming out of the mountains and hit a burger place for a meal for the ride home.

3d,

How high were you hunting when you got sick? Can you correlate a certain elevation where your symptoms got worse?

[drthornton]

Anybody not checking in over on Rokslide. This is a very good thread from some real experienced guys on things you don't need on those backpack hunts.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showt...k-hunt-anymore!

[a3dhunter]

Originally Posted by drthornton

3d,

How high were you hunting when you got sick? Can you correlate a certain elevation where your symptoms got worse?

It seemed that 10,500 feet and above is where I had the most problems, when I would get over 12,000 it would hit hard.

The diamox is by prescription only, butt I've heard good things about wilderness athlete altitude advantage as well.

The only side effect I noticed was the taste with carbonated drinks.

[Split Arrow]

New Mexico applications due tomorrow. I'm in for units 16A & 17. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

[systemnt]

Been invited on a Colorado Elk hunt in September.....got some training to do....

[Whirlwind]

Anyone put in for Arizona? Heard that a good buddy drew a tag in his first try.

[Split Arrow]

Originally Posted by Whirlwind

Anyone put in for Arizona? Heard that a good buddy drew a tag in his first try.

Good for him! It's tough to draw a tag out there- I hope he gets a monster!

[ross]

Figure I'd try one more time to see if anyone is interested in going to Colorado last week of archery Sept. 17-23. Cabin (with hot shower), access to 5,000+acres private, walk-in cooler. Cabin sits right in the middle of the high country so we will be able to start hunting right out of the door in the morning. Can hunt the private AND public. $1,500 for the week plus food, fuel. and tags. Elk and bear over the counter, Mule deer draw(deadline April 3) or possible landowner tags. Unit 62.

[TWP]

Looks like a cool place and a good deal as well. A hot shower on an elk hunting trip? Not sure I would know what to do with that. Lol

[a3dhunter]

Originally Posted by TWP

Looks like a cool place and a good deal as well. A hot shower on an elk hunting trip? Not sure I would know what to do with that. Lol

It is a good deal, I've hunted around it before. A lot of deer and elk get pushed onto this property with how much pressure unit 62 gets.
I have other plans this year though...

Good luck there.

[drthornton]

Originally Posted by a3dhunter

It is a good deal, I've hunted around it before. A lot of deer and elk get pushed onto this property with how much pressure unit 62 gets.
I have other plans this year though...

Good luck there.

Yeah there's over 2000 guys in 62 during Sept between Elk, Deer and Smokepole. Private may be the ticket. Already committed to WY.

[a3dhunter]

Originally Posted by drthornton

Yeah there's over 2000 guys in 62 during Sept between Elk, Deer and Smokepole. Private may be the ticket. Already committed to WY.

I was there for a couple days last year, hit the woods and had a couple canyons all to ourselves. This was muzzy week and I surely expected much more pressure than what we saw.
I would not hesitate to go back and hunt that unit.
We actually saw more pressure in 41,42, and 421. Enough that we only stayed one day. The Grand Mesa was getting hit hard that week but UNit 62 wasn't that bad.

[ross]

I hope it's a good deal. Everyone I talked to says the cabins are in a prime area. Being able to hunt right out of a comfortable camp with Hot shower will be a first for us too. The private land supposedly landlocks some good public land to an extent. Sure wish I could get a couPle more hunters tO go, but we just might have to have a small camp instead. Good luck to all on their western adventures this fall!

[Liven4TheHunt]

Sounds like a good deal. I just want to be in the woods day.

[TWP]

Ok guys, I'm back! Been too busy working on business stuff.

Did anyone draw AZ??? Congrats to anyone who did!

[Whirlwind]

My buddy drew unit 9 first year applying.

[supertrooperl14]

Originally Posted by Whirlwind

My buddy drew unit 9 first year applying.

Wow!!!! Just waiting to see what NM brings my way or OTC CO again.

[drthornton]

Originally Posted by Whirlwind

My buddy drew unit 9 first year applying.

Archery Elk?

[Whirlwind]

Yes archery elk

[TWP]

Santa Maria!!!! Get him to buy a lottery ticket TODAY! Congrats to him.

[drthornton]

Originally Posted by Whirlwind

Yes archery elk

Is he an Arizona resident?

[Whirlwind]

No he is a non resident

[drthornton]

Crazy...My data shows that units like 8, 9 and 10 don't make it past the Max point draw....at least in 2010 and 2011. Either 2012 is way different or my analysis is wrong and I'm an idiot.

Anyway, Congrats to your buddy...arguably the best tag in the country

[letsgoboys8204]

Great thread but I need to bookmark my place keep it going

[TWP]

Ok, cooking systems. Who uses what? I still have my trusty Pocket Rocket. Never had a problem with it. Thought about getting a JetBoil, but why try to fix something that isn't broke???

[Ironman]

Everyone knows, it's so simple, no one will accept! Make it yourself, get the right fuel, and you will cut, or **** everyone else off! Your choice!

[Ironman]

It's so simple, it's stupid!

[Ironman]

So there is no confusion.

[ELKAHOLIC]

Missed on AZ.

[Floor Man]

I use a jet boil. It's kind of bulky though.

[ELKAHOLIC]

Has anyone tried the X2 pack from Eberlestock ?

Or the tailhook ?

[TWP]

Nope, they look nice though.

Dr T, how is the Icon working out for you? Need a review!

[a3dhunter]

Originally Posted by ELKAHOLIC

Has anyone tried the X2 pack from Eberlestock ?

Or the tailhook ?

My buddy had an X2, much too small for what I want although some swear by it.
In the right situation it could be great, just not for me.

I would rather carry the blue widow than the X2, the X2 just had a smaller frame that doesn't seem to fit me.

I have worn the X1 for many miles while elk hunting and it was great.

I will be using my Kifaru T1 for everything. It is so light and collapses down to almost nothing, total weight under 7 lbs, and can get under 6lbs dropping the XTL lid for day hunting.

[Ironman]

.

[a3dhunter]

You guys working out for season yet???

After working half a day, then coming home and mowing 4 lawns, then was able to go to the football stadium and run bleachers for 30 minutes in 40 mph wind.

Feeling good, but thankful for a lot of time before season.

[ELKAHOLIC]

Originally Posted by a3dhunter

My buddy had an X2, much too small for what I want although some swear by it.
In the right situation it could be great, just not for me.

I would rather carry the blue widow than the X2, the X2 just had a smaller frame that doesn't seem to fit me.

I have worn the X1 for many miles while elk hunting and it was great.

I will be using my Kifaru T1 for everything. It is so light and collapses down to almost nothing, total weight under 7 lbs, and can get under 6lbs dropping the XTL lid for day hunting.

All I want is a day pack. Something light and comfortable and holding my bow would be a plus. I have a badlands hybrid, I love the pack but it doesn't fit me very good. I am wide at the shoulders. I wish there were a place to go try them all. I have used the hypervent before and liked it a lot but it's not suited well for holding a bow.

[Kokanee]

Tenzing is new to the scene this year with a few smaller option packs. Check 'em out.

www.tenzingoutdoors.com/