Help Me Plan My First Elk Hunt

[Aggiehunter08]

Be prepared for LONG shots and quality hiking boots are my best suggestions based on my elk hunts.

[speck1]

Be prepared for LONG shots and quality hiking boots are my best suggestions based on my elk hunts.

We must hunt the same units😁

[solocam_aggie]

Thanks for the advice thus far.

I’ve been slowly working my way out with the bow. Currently practicing at 60 yards and putting them in tight. I bought a pair of Crispi Wyomings that I’m currently breaking in. So I should be good in that regard.

So I think I decided to utilize the badlands monster fanny pack and buy just a pack frame for if I kill something. The layout of the private that I have access to grants me the ability to get a vehicle to a lot of real estate. Pulling the trigger on an EXO K3 frame.


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[ramrod]

I use the mystery ranch frame with the mule bag for my day pack. It's just big enough to haul everything you need but without the bulk and does a nice job of distributing the weight across your hips for those all day hikes. It has the meat shelf if you do kill something. If you kill one high and a ways from camp, it pays dividends not having to hike back to camp to get a frame pack.

[7sdad]

I use a Mystery Ranch Popup 28 with a Kuiu Extreem bag on the meat shelf to pack everything in and then remove the Kuiu bag and have a much smaller day bag that will carry meat when needed.

[BassMaster13]

Thanks for the advice thus far.

I’ve been slowly working my way out with the bow. Currently practicing at 60 yards and putting them in tight. I bought a pair of Crispi Wyomings that I’m currently breaking in. So I should be good in that regard.

So I think I decided to utilize the badlands monster fanny pack and buy just a pack frame for if I kill something. The layout of the private that I have access to grants me the ability to get a vehicle to a lot of real estate. Pulling the trigger on an EXO K3 frame.


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I love my Exo K3. I pack train twice a week, once with 25lb and 45lbs. Every now and then I'll do 85 or 90. Just to simulate a pack out.

If you're not getting a bag, I would at least get the cradle to help haul meat/hold a dry bag. Exo has good youtube videos how to load game on the frame, and how to load your pack(bag). The exo bags are great and compress down to almost nothing. I use mine (3200) as a day pack as well. I would recommend using the K3 as a day pack, if you're hauling around a tripod, binos, extra layer, kill kit, butt pad, snacks, and water. You'll easily be running a 10-15 lb and it's nice being able to alternate the weight between the hips and your shoulders.

The best recommendation I would give is find a partner, or 2. This isn't the hunt to prove you can do it solo. This tag is probably a once in a lifetime.

[hopedale]

OP,

Check out the videos of Michael Middleton (TBH Owner) did to document his DIY hunt. Tons of great info.


"Chasing a Dream" - 2018 OTC Archery Elk Hunt

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up9_2aTYYec"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up9_2aTYYec[/ame]


Gear

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW_kVqpHNc4"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW_kVqpHNc4[/ame]


Backpack

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiBlWEkLq1g"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiBlWEkLq1g[/ame]


Hike, Camp, and Scout Lessons

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38OigxQ5Uq4"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38OigxQ5Uq4[/ame]


Navigation

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMghAfmKfmc"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMghAfmKfmc[/ame]


Sleep System

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYF47WVHuC0"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYF47WVHuC0[/ame]


Layering

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE8GgT7MNKs&t=6s"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE8GgT7MNKs&t=6s[/ame]


Elk Prep

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEEbwMG7Ktk"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEEbwMG7Ktk[/ame]


Meals

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKCqdvkH2xs"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKCqdvkH2xs[/ame]


August Scout Trip

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UszoXO3boNM"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UszoXO3boNM[/ame]


Bag dump of Hunting Buddy

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL6lsPiovgI"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL6lsPiovgI[/ame]


Shelter

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGP0hVTQphI"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGP0hVTQphI[/ame]


Kifaru Cavern Pack Review & Loadout for 9 Day Archery Elk Hunt

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YweyxdrPn9g"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YweyxdrPn9g[/ame]
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I think I got the videos that would help you prepare your DIY, but do watch these on his channel and give a thumbs up if you like them.

[Archery1st]

1st congrats on drawing a tag!

2nd find someone to go with you. Preferably a guide that knows the unit. If not at least someone that can call.

September can be HOT and I know of a couple guys that lost all the meat because they couldn't pack it out fast enough.

If possible take a 4 wheeler. Without - Throwing a 90 lb hind qtr on your back and hiking out a mile plus SUCKS! Especially when you still have at least 4 more trips to make.

Sending you a PM feel free to give me a call. Be glad to share all I know.

-Bruce

[solocam_aggie]

Thanks again to all who commented! Enjoyed watching the Videos Michael produced! So a few change in events regarding the hunt. The landowner offered up use of his ranger that is already registered for use in the National Forest. Glad I didnt buy the pack yet! So now I'll use my Badlands monster as a day pack.

In another turn of events, my wife's brother in law told me he was interested in going with me if the opportunity was there. Originally, the owner only extended the offer to stay in the cabin to me, but after another discussion with him he agreed to the BIL coming. So looks like I wont be solo after all.

The owner also sent me picks of the "cabin." This thing is a newly built house that is really nice! Nothing like I was expecting lol. This hunt is really shaping up to be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Archery1st, thanks for the PM. I will likely be reaching out as I get closer to the hunt.

[Adgerc15]

Thanks again to all who commented! Enjoyed watching the Videos Michael produced! So a few change in events regarding the hunt. The landowner offered up use of his ranger that is already registered for use in the National Forest. Glad I didnt buy the pack yet! So now I'll use my Badlands monster as a day pack.

In another turn of events, my wife's brother in law told me he was interested in going with me if the opportunity was there. Originally, the owner only extended the offer to stay in the cabin to me, but after another discussion with him he agreed to the BIL coming. So looks like I wont be solo after all.

The owner also sent me picks of the "cabin." This thing is a newly built house that is really nice! Nothing like I was expecting lol. This hunt is really shaping up to be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Archery1st, thanks for the PM. I will likely be reaching out as I get closer to the hunt.

Love it when a plan comes together. Good luck!

ac

[solocam_aggie]

So I bought a hand held cow call, and a diaphragm. I cant even get close to making a sound that remotely sounds like a cow call with the diaphragm. Hopefully it will come. Being early archery, should I just focus on cow calling, or should I pick up a bugle tube as well?

[wytex]

Get a couple of different bite and blow cow calls.
Primos Cow Girl, Sceery Ace-1, Duel Wapiti Wailer, etc
Have at least 2 to sound different and when one get too much spit and sticks the other will work.
Power Bugle works for me, I have 2. One is cut shorter and uses a different colored band for a younger bull sound. Power Bugle makes a real nice full bugle sound and you can chuckle with it too.
Lots of options for a bugle that is not a diaphragm and sounds good.
Spouse works a diaphragm and bugle tube really well, diaphragm and a cow girl for cows.

[mkguthrie]

Have hunted 37 a few times. Pm sent.

[solocam_aggie]

Another question for you guys. I may be too late here with it, but here goes. Hunting from Sep 2-14th, is a bugle call going to be instrumental in locating a bull or not so much? My original plan was just to master the cow cow (which I did on a handheld one, but still cant even get close on a diaphragm) and that's it, but now Im thinking I need to scramble and try to get a bugle down. Thoughts?

[diamond10x]

Everyone uses a bugle and honestly unless you’ve been practicing a long time and can speak elk (not like a bunch of goofballs on YouTube that just blow the same exact bugle over and over and over) I’d just stick with a cow call. Don’t forget raking trees and breaking sticks, this is a very overlooked tactic/tool/call.

Prime example, both my cousins killed their bulls last year with just a few cow mews and raking on a tree once they got in tight within about 100yds. Neither bugled once at each of the bulls they killed.