Originally posted by a3dhunter
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Hunting solo is a double edged sword.
First off, I hunt better by myself. I really feel like I listen to my gut more, and put myself in the right place at the right time more often. Solo, I am real lucky!
Hunting with a partner I was 0 for 3 on hunts lasting 7 days or more, with only one shot opportunity.
Some things to consider when hunting solo:
1. What if you get hurt?
I carry a SPOT satellite messenger so I can always signal for help if I need it. This eliminated a lot of my wife's worrying as well. It was unbelievable how this also helps to keep you calm in a potentially serious situation. I tore my ankle on a hunt the first weekend of third rifle season off the side of the Grand Mesa in western Colorado. I was screwed! Knowing I could get help if needed allowed me to not panic and do something stupid, I was able to get off the mountain by myself but it reassured me that I will continue to carry the SPOT.
2. Mental side: the loneliness is too much for some. Going 3 days without talking to someone else is pretty average in the mountains and most do okay with that. Once you start getting past that there are a lot of people who will bail off the mountain just to have contact with another person, It's happened to me in the past, and I'm sure it will again some day.
I find that in the summer doing progressively longer trips can help to build up the mental side. Once you get to day 7, you are usually past the loneliness and settle into a nice flow. You can do a lot to prepare physically, preparing the mental side for the mountains is different. Things that help me: a good book, mini Ipod for music, and even games on a phone.
3. Packing meat:
Have a plan! You don't have to have a packer, but be prepared for when you down an animal and be ready to debone on the mountain and hang that meat so it will cool. That may mean moving it 1/4 mile or more for good shade or a creek. Once meat is hung and cooling, take the first load out. You can always leave camp for the last load. Plan your loads to minimize your trips. You don't need to carry 3 loads of 115 lbs and then a load of 45 lbs, so as you are packing your meat bags to hang, figure out which loads will go together.
Don't get overwhelmed by the prospect of getting the meat out. You've usually got a couple days, and unless you hurt yourself you will be able to do this even if in the backcountry 5-7 miles.
If you know the hardest part of the packout is getting the elk meat 1 mile up out of the canyon you are in, then shuttle all of the meat out of the canyon first. Then your later trips, when you are more tired, won't be deal breakers. Much easier to use adrenaline to get that meat out of the hole, than hiking in and out after you've covered 20 miles packing meat.
4. Plan your gear to be successful: Don't head up the mountain solo with 60 lbs of gear and expect to be able to hunt effectively and pack out an elk. Get your gear weight down into the 40 lb range. 35 lbs if possible (and it is). Even with food and water, total weight should be under 45 lbs IMO. If not, take a hard look at what really needs to go.
If you listen to Mark Smith who's video was linked above, one thing he mentioned in Colorado at the ISE show last year was using a bivy. A bivy is lightweight, very small, and can be packed quickly. You can usually find an elk bed on even the steepest mountains and sleep there ( I know I did last year). There are plenty of small tents or tarps that will serve well, just decide what shelter works for you and use it before your trip so you are comfortable with it.
Hunting solo has led to the highest of highs for me, but it isn't for everyone. Next year, my wife will be elk hunting with me. She is looking to take her first archery elk.
First off, I hunt better by myself. I really feel like I listen to my gut more, and put myself in the right place at the right time more often. Solo, I am real lucky!
Hunting with a partner I was 0 for 3 on hunts lasting 7 days or more, with only one shot opportunity.Some things to consider when hunting solo:
1. What if you get hurt?
I carry a SPOT satellite messenger so I can always signal for help if I need it. This eliminated a lot of my wife's worrying as well. It was unbelievable how this also helps to keep you calm in a potentially serious situation. I tore my ankle on a hunt the first weekend of third rifle season off the side of the Grand Mesa in western Colorado. I was screwed! Knowing I could get help if needed allowed me to not panic and do something stupid, I was able to get off the mountain by myself but it reassured me that I will continue to carry the SPOT.
2. Mental side: the loneliness is too much for some. Going 3 days without talking to someone else is pretty average in the mountains and most do okay with that. Once you start getting past that there are a lot of people who will bail off the mountain just to have contact with another person, It's happened to me in the past, and I'm sure it will again some day.
I find that in the summer doing progressively longer trips can help to build up the mental side. Once you get to day 7, you are usually past the loneliness and settle into a nice flow. You can do a lot to prepare physically, preparing the mental side for the mountains is different. Things that help me: a good book, mini Ipod for music, and even games on a phone.
3. Packing meat:
Have a plan! You don't have to have a packer, but be prepared for when you down an animal and be ready to debone on the mountain and hang that meat so it will cool. That may mean moving it 1/4 mile or more for good shade or a creek. Once meat is hung and cooling, take the first load out. You can always leave camp for the last load. Plan your loads to minimize your trips. You don't need to carry 3 loads of 115 lbs and then a load of 45 lbs, so as you are packing your meat bags to hang, figure out which loads will go together.
Don't get overwhelmed by the prospect of getting the meat out. You've usually got a couple days, and unless you hurt yourself you will be able to do this even if in the backcountry 5-7 miles.
If you know the hardest part of the packout is getting the elk meat 1 mile up out of the canyon you are in, then shuttle all of the meat out of the canyon first. Then your later trips, when you are more tired, won't be deal breakers. Much easier to use adrenaline to get that meat out of the hole, than hiking in and out after you've covered 20 miles packing meat.
4. Plan your gear to be successful: Don't head up the mountain solo with 60 lbs of gear and expect to be able to hunt effectively and pack out an elk. Get your gear weight down into the 40 lb range. 35 lbs if possible (and it is). Even with food and water, total weight should be under 45 lbs IMO. If not, take a hard look at what really needs to go.
If you listen to Mark Smith who's video was linked above, one thing he mentioned in Colorado at the ISE show last year was using a bivy. A bivy is lightweight, very small, and can be packed quickly. You can usually find an elk bed on even the steepest mountains and sleep there ( I know I did last year). There are plenty of small tents or tarps that will serve well, just decide what shelter works for you and use it before your trip so you are comfortable with it.
Hunting solo has led to the highest of highs for me, but it isn't for everyone. Next year, my wife will be elk hunting with me. She is looking to take her first archery elk.
Great advice, a3d!!!
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