Colorado elk

[longbowben]

Going out west for first time elk hunting.After seeing picks from you trad guys.Leatherneck myself and little b, I have been told to go the last week of bow season,any thing we should know would be appreshatted.

[Whip]

Oh boy, you are going to have the time of your life!  Read, read, and then read some more.  Do a search here using elk in the search box and there should be a bunch of good threads that pop up.  Lots of planning to do between now and then.  Three quick tips to get you on the right track:

Do as much research as you can to find a way to get away from hunting pressure - especially ATV's.  Backpack, drop camp, or private land are all options.

Do a search for Elknut and buy his videos.  They aren't shoot em up entertainment, but they are loaded with great info on how to hunt and call.

Most important of all, and most commonly ignored by first timers - GET IN SHAPE!!!!  Failure to do that can make the hunt anywhere from grueling to unbearable.

[longbowben]

We already have an area to hunt and base camp area,Thanks to some frends,They have had great luck for many years in this area and hardly ever see another hunter all week.

[Big Sneaky]

Yep, Whip's got it right.  Getting harder and harder to get away from people out there.  Try to locate a place that is hard to get to and has water, and you will usually find elk.  It doesn't matter how good of shape your in when you leave home, you are going to be sucking eggs the first few days.  Get in shape, get in shape, get in shape!

[longbowben]

We were told to take asprin before we get thier to stop alt sickness does that work.

[LEOPARD]

Good luck! Hope you get one!  

[Lin Rhea]

Longbowben,
            In addition to what Whip said,If you can, go a couple of days ahead of the hunt and get your body aclimated. Also the climate can be very dry. Take some lip balm. You'll thank me later. Get a biggun, Lin

[centaur]

Hunting elk is the most fun you can have with your clothes on IF you are in shape. It can't be emphasized enough. The altitude will be a factor, so if you can acclimate prior to the hunt it will help. Never heard about aspirin for altitude sickness, but some Alleve or similar pill might help for the inevitable sore muscles. Elk live in some great country; that alone is worth your trip. And there is no place better than the high country when the elk are bugling. Have a blast!

[longbowben]

We cant wait i told my wife last night got the usual look.We are going for 11 days, lip balm , and get in shape.I is THAT correct about the end of the season they said you get more bulging .what calls are best to buy?

[jon]

Been there done that! Everyone is correct, get in shape as good as you can get. Also, stay hydrated, it will help with the altitude problems. Take lots of pictures and have fun.

Jon

[centaur]

Lots of bulls are getting pretty savvy to bugling. It depends on where you are hunting; if you are away from the crowds, they generally are more suseptible to bugling. Some areas you will bugle up more hunters than elk. Diaphram calls work well, because you can bugle and cow talk with them, but they take a bit of practice for most people.

[longbowben]

I cant use diaphram calls i gag.

[Howard S.]

You are going to have the time of your life!  I concur with everyone's 'get in shape' advise.  Leg strength and lung capacity are critical for us flatlanders out there.  You will still be sucking air regardless.  Go to the elk forum threads, you'll learn a huge amount there.  Hydrate until your pee is almost clear.  The guide I hunted with this year bugled only to locate bulls then switched to cow calls.  He had a variety of Will Carleton's calls.  The next ten months of 'learning' are going to get you so geeked you won't be able to stand it.  That's part of the joy of elk hunting.

Howard.

[Steertalker]

Longbowben,

The first mistake new elk hunters make is bugling and cow calling too much.  Play it conservatively and you'll do fine.  Since you have an aversion to the diaphram I would recommend either a Hoochie Mama or Sceery cow call.  Personally...I use the Sceery.

As far as apirin curing altitude sickness...NOT!  In severe cases the only remedy is to go back down the mountain to a lower altitude.

Be prepared for rain, sleet, snow, cold, hot, dry and whatever else nature can through at ya.  

Lastly....elk hunting is hour upon hour of grueling hard work and boredum punctuated by a few seconds of sheer terror  :eek:   And this is the reward.....
 

Have a great time!!!

Brett

[BenBow]

Get those legs in shape. I like to find a football stadium that has the flat bench type seats and make as many trips up and down while stepping over each bench. Once you get into the blowdowns you'll be happy you did this.

[longbowben]

Thanks for info love those picks of out west.

[Big Sneaky]

I got altitude sickness real bad last year.  I had been up to 11-12,000 feet many times but we always came down and camped around 9000.  Hunted a new area this year with a friend only to learn when we arrived we were camped at 11,750 feet.  Didn't bother me too much the first day but come the second I was a sick sucker.  I had chest pains, nausea, severe headache, and finally vomiting.  If you are concerned about it I would visit with your doctor about a prescription.  I think it is called Diamox.  Wilderness athlete also makes a pill called Altitude Advantage.  I will be on one or the other next trip out.  Nothing more exciting than being in a bunch of bugling bulls(even if you're sick)!

[Butts2]

My bother-in-law from Michigan said he does stadium stairs back there to get in shape for Colorado hunting.....with a plastic bag over his head.  lol

[longbowben]

Butts2 i will let the other guys try that one.

[Richie Nell]

Get quads in great shape, DRINK WATER and nothing but water, go two days early, DRINK WATER, walk around town in order to get your altitude headache so you can hurry and get over your headache, DRINK WATER, kill a good bull and don't take one second of your privileged adventure for granted.