How Hard to Join In an Elk Hunt with Others?

[bucknut]

I have been going on DIY hunts out west for 25 years and can say what Cory said is spot on. You have to have the right gear, be easy to get along with, have a strong back, do more than your share of camp chores and be willing to jump in as soon as someone gets an elk on the ground. The old saying there is no I in TEAM really hits home in Elk camp. Also you need to go with like minded people. Some are absolute hard core all day every day hunters, some are campers and some fall somewhere in the middle. Find out which group you are in and seek the same. If you are wanting to go this year you are already behind the 8 Ball as far as buying gear and getting into mountain shape by September. An outfitter is a very good option if you have the funds. A lot can be learned about the total experience in a short period if you are observant.

[J-dog]

I am just planning on going by myself with my daughter too. She is a bit small to be packing a real pack so Ill tote the load, I will let her tote some food or sleeping bag?? little something.

I tried looking to go with someone but just as said is you really don't know how someone will be until you get out there with them and I don't want the headache? I am good in the woods I am in shape, my only fear is the altitude! I have never been up in the mountains!?? so maybe on the flip side is I don't want to hinder someone who IS good with the altitude! I don't want to be the crippler of the hunt, bring someone else down that may have a chance. I know me, I will go hard as I can, I am stubborn as I can be, my daughter is the same so it will not be from a lack of strong effort. I do keep it as the first time out though? it is all new game, my goal is to kill one or I wouldn't go,  but seeing them and getting into them will be awesome too.

Just trying to do my due diligence, research like crazy, got my unit picked out, got an old firemen that retired from out there gave me some pointers and a elk call! process of upgrading my gear, got to get a pack soon as I get the $$$ and a better tent than what I run now - stuff here and there.

I am just gonna go learn like OJT (on the job training) except this will be OHT (on the hunt training).

J

[bucknut]

J Dog, Altitude sickness can be a real hunt stopper. Go see your doctor and have him prescribe some altitude sickness pills. Take a day or 2 to acclimate. Going solo make sure you have a way to stay in contact with someone. My brother got a terrible case of altitude sickness once. He hadn't felt well the night before and never got out of his tent one morning and we almost left without him for the day. As we were leaving I heard a noise and went to check on him. He couldn't talk, walk or do anything. Fingers and toes curled up. We loaded him up and came off the mountain (11,000')to the nearest hospital 2 hours away where they put him on oxygen and medicated him. Not trying to scare you but it definitely changed my western hunting. Always stay in contact with someone!

[longbow fanatic 1]

Originally posted by Orion:
Finding a good hunting partner is almost as hard, maybe just as hard, as finding the right spouse.  A two week stay in the hinterlands can bring out the best and worst in people.  

I've been hunting with the same person now for about 35 years.  We get along and have each other's backs.  Unlike your friend, we hunt different areas, states, and we do kill stuff.  Regardless, a hunting trip can turn sour real fast if folks don't get along, pull their own weight, or otherwise grate on each other. Too, a lot of times, folks take a newbie along, and the next year they find the newbie and all his friends hunting the area the newbie was taken to the year before.  

Though you may find someone to take you along, it's a lot to ask.  In truth, I think folks who would take a totally unfamiliar person along are more interested in the social experience than hard core hunting.  Nothing wrong with that, of course.

Might consider starting by broadening your circle of hunting friends.  Find one or two people you think you mesh with and try a few short hunts, weekends, etc., so see if you're compatible. If so, plan a major excursion out west.  

Good luck.

I couldn't agree more. I've been lifelong friends with a guy. We grew up together and began hunting together. After a guided elk hunt, I swore I would never hunt with him again, and I haven't. You absolutely see the best or worst in people during an out of state hunt, especially when given time to hunt together or a lot of money paid for the hunt. Sad!

[J-dog]

Originally posted by bucknut:
J Dog, Altitude sickness can be a real hunt stopper. Go see your doctor and have him prescribe some altitude sickness pills. Take a day or 2 to acclimate. Going solo make sure you have a way to stay in contact with someone. My brother got a terrible case of altitude sickness once. He hadn't felt well the night before and never got out of his tent one morning and we almost left without him for the day. As we were leaving I heard a noise and went to check on him. He couldn't talk, walk or do anything. Fingers and toes curled up. We loaded him up and came off the mountain (11,000')to the nearest hospital 2 hours away where they put him on oxygen and medicated him. Not trying to scare you but it definitely changed my western hunting. Always stay in contact with someone!

Thank you for the info buck nut! I love every bit of advice I can get! It worries me not scares me? I never been at altitude like I said, I am in above average shape I'd say but I live literally AT sea level and maybe a little below it! lol

[LBR]

It's a shot in the dark.  I went on one elk hunt with a guy I'd talked with a lot, but never met before the hunt.  We didn't kill anything (short version, weather bit us in the butt) but we had a good hunt and got along great.  Went on one with a group I didn't know and it wasn't awful, but there was some conflict.  A couple of them I'd hunt with again, but not the whole group, even though the success rate was 50%.  Then another hunt (moose hunt) with one of my best friends, a couple of guys I knew but that that well (we were all in one cabin), and three other guys I'd never met or even talked to before we started planning the hunt (had to have a minimum number of hunters to go).  One of the best hunts I've ever been on.  No moose were killed (again, weather--but we did get to hunt), but we had a blast.

Big thing with me is cooperation.  Someone with a "lone wolf, my way or the highway" attitude can really spoil it for the rest, as can a freeloader who wants to sit around and watch everyone else do the cooking, get the water, set up camp, gather wood, etc.

Research it as much as you can.  Get to know folks as best you can.  Be sure as the new guy in the group you pull your weight and then some.  Even then, you are taking a chance. If you have limitations that could hinder the group (out of shape, short-winded, bad back, etc.) be sure the rest know this in detail ahead of time and be sure everyone is ok with it.  If you have limitations and are still welcome, go out of your way to make up for it if you can.

For me, a really bad experience can be worse than not going at all.

[LongbowArchitect]

"I am really hesitant to take new elk hunters with me. I have heard too many stories of guys just wanting to tag along and then the next year they show up with eight of their closest friends and your spot is basically ruined."

This has happened to me twice in my life. I learned my lesson and now I just hunt with my son and son-in-law in our secret place in Colorado.