need advice from the pros

[fox1]

New guy here really needing some input from the pros and old salts here. I have an elk hunt booked in Colorado next September. I shoot a Mathews Monster shooting 70 # draw weight. My Arrows are Gold tip 7595. Shooting a regular old thunderhead 100 grain three blade. I have blown through 2 deer this year with the set up i have, will this same set up do me justice chasing elk. If not what do yall suggest.

Thanks

[DrenalinJunkie]

yep......... your good to go.

[Bweger]

I agree you are good to go just start workin out now so you will be in shape.

[fox1]

Oh i know i got a long way to go to get in shape, i will take care of that i just dont want to get there and not have my equipment set up the right way. By the way my plan for getting in shape involves loading my pack with 30 pounds and walking every day that i can. I have been waiting for 20 years to make this hunt and im not leaving any stone unturned in my preparedness.

[mudbone]

You will do just fine with that setup. I killled a bull this year in New Mexico with my switchback, set at 60lbs, 5575 GoldTips using 100gr slick tricks and got a complete pass through. I believe in my equipment but and 11 yard shot didn't hurt either. Good luck and if this is your first time to go Elk hunting, nothing will ever be the same again.

Mudbone

[mudbone]

Oh i know i got a long way to go to get in shape, i will take care of that i just dont want to get there and not have my equipment set up the right way. By the way my plan for getting in shape involves loading my pack with 30 pounds and walking every day that i can. I have been waiting for 20 years to make this hunt and im not leaving any stone unturned in my preparedness.

You will really need to work on your legs and stamina, Not only walk but climb up and down stairs at every opportunity with a loaded pack. Hunting Elk does not happen on level ground nor do they die at the top of a mountain I also lift weights to strengthen my upper body for carring out my trophy, meat and lugging around your possibles in your backpack all day long (water will be your heavyest item). You will find this kind of hunting the hardest thing you will probably do but at the same time the most rewarding. Remember that these animals are not whitetails.

Good luck and good hunting, Mudbone

[gandergitter]

Killed my first cow elk this year.... Ran bleachers and walked 5 days a week for 2 months, but still didnt really feel liek I could keep my breath until the third day.. Time in the altitude helps a lot... Plan on carrying out some weight...
Good luck.
Practice long shots. I took a rifle and was pressed to get them inside 100 yds. Finally shoto at 325 yards. I want to try with a bow, but dont have the confidence yet.

[fox1]

Yea i aleady asked our safety man if i could bring my back pack to work so i could hump it up and down the stairs with it on and he shot me down. I will be able to use the schools football stadium when i am home. But i will take every chance i get to do some thing to improve myself. I dont want to leave any thing to chance, i like to make my own luck if you know what i mean. On emore question for the guys who have been there and done that. What kind of pack were you using. Eberlestock makes several to accomodate a bow and the thought of having my hands free while trying to hike up a steep grade sounds good to me, any thoughts?

[Marine1]

My dad and i are looking to go on an elk hunt in colorado, anyone have any contacts for places to go?

[Humper]

as far as packs I've got the Eberlestock X1

http://www.huntpacks.com/backpacks/site.pl?page=x1

It can carry a bow and has a built in storage area for a hydration bladder which is a must. The rifle scabbard tucks back into the pack.

[fox1]

yea the x1 is what i was looking at. I havent found any thing better yet so i will probably order one soon.

[Bill]

Walking/running are good, but what will kill your legs is the lifting up on the quadracep (front of the thigh) and calf muscles on mountains, or if you hunt an area with "blow down" (fallen pines from an old fire). Running will increase your cardio capacity for the thin air, but like it was said do bleacher climbs, jog up hills or use a stepmaster at a gym. The other item is to buy a pack with a large hydration bladder. Sipping small amounts of water all day long hydrates your body, instead of drinking a bunch at one time and it wind up fertilizing some bush when you're done with the water. There is about zero humidity up high so it will dry you out really fast.

[Ron]

Good luck on your hunt and your set up will do great.

[fox1]

Thanks for all the help.

[mudbone]

no problem!!!