2014/2015 season

[mrbb]

Well I hear you, I normally would have hunts planned 2 yrs in advance
but haven't even planned a out of state hunt now in 3 yrs
still like hearing what and where other plan to go, and how they madeout
even like to hear about old hunts they did
and I always felt sharing hunt info can be good for fellow hunters here on the site
I know over the yrs I did some great hunts out of state, some were some real good deals too
I am sure many folks don't realize how cheap a great hunt can be

[nomad_archer]

I hear ya. I thought I wanted to do elk but that seems like an awful lot of work once you get one down. Now I want to take my 300 win mag to Wyoming or somewhere like that for mule deer. Not that I dont want to try for an elk i would just need to go with someone that has been there done that before.

[Griz]

I'm in the proccess of planning a elk hunt to colorado. It's going to be a do it your self hunt. Backpacking in and staying for a few days. I'm getting older and realize that I won't be able to do that much longer, so if not this yr it will be next. Colorado has a hunt planner available for free. Just make a call and start the proccess. Your right nomad, its going to be alot of work if I get one down. I sure would like to have that problem. The area I'm looking at is the grand mesa state park in the mid south west corner of the state. Has anyone else been? Any info would be great.

[mrbb]

sounds like a great trip there Griz, never hunted in Grand mesa area, but did snowmobile in that area many yrs back, every place was at had big elk mounted on there walls in store and places to eat, so I bet there was a lot of elk near by

best advice I can tell you is start walking hills now with a pack on you back with weight in it
do that now till you go, and you will be very happy you did, even if you don't kill
thin air just walking can get to you a lot more than you think
same goes for having a good pack, once a elk is down, a good pack can make a pack out more work or less
I have used my alaskan 2 cabela's pack a few times, worked well for me, liked all the adjustments I could make to get it to fit nice and snug, and the rifle holder was a must at times in AK on my hunts
but guessing your doing a bow hunt?
guess the bow holder is a great idea on a pack too, or a good bow sling!
and good glass, highly recommend good glass for any out west hunt, saves you a lot on eye strain/migranes!

[Griz]

The getting in shape thing is very inportant. A guys here who has been says it will make or brake the trip if your not in shape. I've been looking at eberlestock back packs. The X2 and blue widow. I hoping I can get one on ebay thats second hand. And your right, I will be bow hunting. There's and elk farm here in NH where I hunt on the other side of the road. So I have heard them bugle. I'm a little wet behind the ears when it comes to bow hunting. It will have to be on the job training so to speak. If I remember right, Seeker BP elk hunted out west last years.

[mrbb]

yeah there was a few guys here that made a few trips out there, most always had a great time, even killed a few elk too, or came real close
the whole part of a big trip is in the details, better you prepare the better your odds
but the most important thing I always felt was to have fun, if your going with anyone, make sure you get along really good in good and bad times, or it can be a bad trip real fast
a treadmill can be your friend, same as just walking up every hill you can
thin air is just something you cannot prep for, some folks get very bad migranes real fast, its a sign of altitude sickness, so keep that in mind, some folks can get it even as low as say 5-6,000 ft
drink lots of water too
one good thing about buying a top line pack is, even if you only use it once, in todays world you can turn about and sell it and get most of your money back, so its like renting a pack almost
just something to think about
are you planning on doing a full pack hunt, or staying at a hotel and or cabin, and hunting in every day?
some times semi guided hunts are cool ways too, get you in some better spots faster some times, and prices can be not so far off
this up coming harrisburg show is a great place to go and talk to folks in area's you like too, many state depts are there trying to get folks, and can be great tools to have in your book
get numbers and names, and hey, never know what a game warden here might tell you on where to try!

[Griz]

My plan is all back packing, no motel or cabins. Even if is were flush with money, I would want to try and do it myself. I do understand it will cut down on the odds. The hunt planner already worned me about altitude. I would be hunting in the 6 to 10 thousand ft area. Yah, I need to lose some weight, and grow my lung capacity. It would be good for me even if I don't end up going. I've always wanted to go to harrisburg but between money/time it tough. We have some big show here, like the Big E that I go to and enjoy. Only a one day commitment and gas money.