backpack/hunting info

“SC rookie here... planning a trip to Colorado next fall for an elk hunt. Looking for any hunt specific tips- from packs to other tips that may minimize my misery... From past trips out west I already know that going from 10ft above sea level to 10000 is a pain.”

“i do know a bit about "backpacking" from a run in uncle sam's infantry... enough to know that we did MANY things WRONG!”

“Remember...the more chit you take in with you, the more you gotta drag out, elkmeat included.


And for Heaven's sakes, bring enough beer!!!”

“i shoulda known from researching other threads that I would hear from you right quickly Buddur...
beer takes up too much space- liquor will be the key to this trip along with ibuprofen... and since i know the chances of me bagging an elk first trip with a recurve are ohhhh Slim and NONE- i figure i will try to enjoy the other aspects of the trip and not die... so help my delusional sould out.”

“I know for starters that they have drastically increase the Non-Resident permit(450$) for elk in Co.. Rumor had it they might have a special doe only for a lesser cost. I guess you may already know that. Don't know your plans but,,,, Save your pennies now and go w/a state approved guiding service. Your odds will be better than winging it alone. Many outfitters will have cheaper hunting options, besides that deluxe pkg.

Research articles of elk hunts from variance hunting web sites, maybe look for some vid's. Pack a small video camera too. Taken a recurve, I admire you, practice with that. If you aren't hiring a guide to help with location and "calling in" of said elk, you best invest in some topo maps of the game unit you'll be hunting. As mentioned above, the web will help you locate info(calls& tapes) on the "bugle" part of the hunt.

Don't leave without getting something!!”

“So far we have decided to go with a "drop camp"- they get us into a region and provide a camp(tents, cooking gear etc) but we will have to do some packing of meat and JUST BECAUSE we will also HAVE TO spend at least one night out and about away from camp... most of this will be done from a day pack but packing meat and longer camping will require a real pack and more information that i currently have...”

“I hope you know how to cape and dress an animal that large. Your outfitter should be able to help you, at a cost with some of that if you don't. You bringing some large coolers, meat storage bags? So what game unit are you hunting in? Bring some creature comforts to make your camp more enjoyable.

I would not worry about the elevation. You 'll have plenty time of to acclimate. You flying or driving in? Just drink plenty of water and eat often and avoid strenuous activities for the first 24 once you have arrived. Keep your alcohol intake to a minimal, preferrable none at all. Many outfitters may actually prohibit that kind of behavior while out at camp. For safety sake.”

“the elevation interests/concerns me in terms of moving meat- that is one thing i am trying to find is a good pack frame. Some of the guides will move the animal from point of kill- others from camp only... caping/skinning will not be much of a problem... flying in then driving to wherever we need to meet the outfitter. I know the base camp is pretty well covered- i am just trying to figure the angles to make staying out on the side of a mountain a little more comfortable than the younger me would. Army days meant a ponco and liner and all was well- they will probably be with me but the ALICE pack isn't going to cut it for packing meat.”

“Get to searching on how to debone that elk. You can probably fit a big bull elk into two regular frame packs, if the deboning is done properly.

We have quartered the elk and cut out the backstraps and inside straps before, and that wasn't too bad. Helped that there were four people though. You can actually quarter an elk without gutting it also. It's called indian quartering.”

“".... i am just trying to figure the angles to make staying out on the side of a mountain a little comfortable than the younger me would." A comfy bed is all that is really needed. Nothing beats a good nights sleep before the morning hunt. Get yourself a thick sleeping pad, an warm sleeping bag and maybe bring a pillow from home. Camp shoes are wonderful too. A roomy tent or a communal tent/tarp would be nice in case the elements are not in your favor.

No Alice won't help you here, Cabela's has a packless frame for around 60 bones. Alternative's to that will be those game carts(these carry more that just game) or you could make you own game carrier from a used external frame pack. You should be able to purchase one from a used sporting goods store or garage sales, etc.. That is basically all those game packs are, externals. Just have plenty of rope to lash it down.”

“thanks- this trip is looking interesting- i think i have researched it more than anything else in my life... plus doing a lot of sideline searching (such as this) trying to find the little things that may help... all in all if we get to Colorado, here elk bugle, play in the high hills, and don't kill ourselves we'll be right happy... anything special to know about boning one out? or is the name pretty self explanatory? one guide did give good meat bag tips- recommended you make your own from sheets- cheaper and more sturdy.... OK- pack frame and LOTS of 550 para-cord... anything else?”

“Headlamp/lantern/etc. and plenty of batteries/fuel. Just in case you get caught out after sundown, tracking or cleaning the animal. The sooner you find the downed animal the better. Basically get there before any other animal does, coyote. Its hypothetical but it has happen many a time. Especially, if the animal runs on you and your daylight runs out. All this because your shot was not that good or you jumped it before it could retire. Shot placement is key when hunting with a bow. None of this should happen if you hit the right spot(s) and have patience.

Meat should be 1# priority once the animal is down. The sooner you can get the meat cooled or cooling the better it will taste. Keep it shaded and cool. Avoid tainting and ground contact when dressing. Protect your hands if they have cuts or abrasions.

Take your time caping(learn this) and keep the knife(s) sharp. The better shape your cape is the easier it is to mount later.

This is seconded to meat procurement, taxidermy. If you have a taxidermist lined up or not find one a good one and ask alot of questions about his tanning process and how he likes the items to arrive if they are to be shipped. Buyer beware, shop around and know the difference in mounting/tanning techiques. Some are better than others!

Whatever might be easiest, either boning it at the site, daylight premitted, or quartering and then boning it back closer to Bcamp where it might be easier. Proper tools(saw, sm. axe) make for easy work.

This all goes a lot smoother when you have helpers.

Best of luck, so what are you planning to do with the leftover hide?”

“i've got a friend in the taxidermy business who does good work and he has some western taxidermy friends- caping, cleaning etc- i have covered... i am proficient with the bow having taken a number of deer and hogs here in SC as well as rabbits and squirrels... i am still working on taking a turkey with it.
All these things considered- help me out a bit more with the packing side of recommendations- gear that you like, tricks that work for you etc. As i said- Uncle Sam gave me a working familiarity with "humping a ruck" but friends made since army days have shown me that there are tons of things that make the trip better than military gear (although the poncho and liner are definitely still viable options...)”

“what draw weight /pull length/ arrow type / broadhead are you useing ? traditional or pin sights ? have you chronographed your arrowspeed ?/what acess ? have you you figured your compensation for uphill /downhill shots ? have you rattledproofed your gear ? string scilencers, overdraw,ect?”

“Aint ther no in-a-net places bout gettin elks? We talk bout walkin in the woods and sleepin in the woods heer at TT. We do not talk about gettin elks, jus lookin at them.

When me and my daddy go to Flowerda to get fishes and grabs and oyster roks, we go to in-a-net places bout Flowerda fishes and grabs and oyster roks.

I theenk you prolly kno ever theeng any ways, you are jus wantin to say "hey ever buddy - look at me! I am goin to Colly Rado to get elks!"

I seen a elk in Wyodaho. It was like a BIG deer. No big deel.

I did not see none in Colly Rado tho. Jus wild lammas and pointy tale grouches and marmrats and fly bugs and skeeters and bare doodoos.”

“also: what type of arrowrest ? are you useing a release ? it makes a big difference @10k feet when you're tired/ stressed ...are you using glasses -contacts ?”

“Put the meat in pillow cases rather than plastic garbage bags. The meat will stay better.

Good skinning knife
Good boning knife
knife sharpener and a steel
Frame pack
Pillow cases
Flashlight with extra batteries
Fire starter
Water for drinking and cleaning
Kill bottle for celebration”

“Chief are you just talking about infield meat transportation when using pillow cases/burlap bags to help protect and cool the meat before you begin to butcher & pack and ice it?

I've used lg. ziplocs/butcher paper in the past. The game has never been elk size, but provide the meat has the chance to air cool before sealing, things should be ok. A problem(spoilage) may present itself if you seal up warm meat. You may want to shop for someone to do this dirty work for you out there and ship the meat to you later if transportation of it might be difficult.”

“Yes, I am talking about getting the meat from the kill in the field, back to the trailhead, or where coolers and ice are available.

Most important is to get the meat cooled down ASAP, because decay starts immediately.”

“I think camptrails (maybe someone else) makes a hunting pack with a frame called the "freighter frame". The pack is detachable from the frame and has a small "ledge" on the bottom tha makes attaching meat easier.

Chees cloth is good to wrap meat ,there are also commercially available "game bags" that allow cut meat to cool and realease mosture/blood without letting dirt and flies on it.

Get is some goooooood shape cuz humpin a bull elk outta the mtns will prolly be a whoopin. I know that draggin a 175lb deer kicks my @ss. Good Luck!”

“While Cabela's has an assortment of packs, including Scent-Lok versions, you should check out Kifaru International at kifaru.net, and Nimrod Packs at nimrodpacks.com -- both are specialty gear makers for hunters, both gun and bow, and their stuff looks sweet. I have just been researching this to try to find a decent hunting day pack of quiet material (most of the stuff in typical hunting/fishing shops is pretty flimsy) to go with my new camo wool set. Kifaru and Nimrod stuff isn't cheap, but looks very well designed. More gear to drool over at least.”

“It just drives me crazy, Miz Scahlett... i mean Sarabelle... if you noticed my questions were about the packing/walking in the woods aspects of the Colorado elk trip- not the taking of said critters... but thanks for your recommendations on places to find oysters and crabs should i run ou here in the SC lowcountry”

“The bows involved are a recurve, a long bow and a Mathews... full length arrows and traditional heads on all, feather fletching, 2018 or 2117's from the trad bows and either a 2315 or a Beman ICS hunter 400 from the compound. I shoot "instinctive" on the trad bows and use fiber-optic pins, a TM Hunter rest, and a release on the compound. The only thing i can't really account for here in practice is the elevation effects. I work the uphill/downhill angles out in some of the bottoms here as well as from a tree stand.”

“Yeah- in the drool and wish department i am simply adding to my misery. As a state employee (we are not the best paid of folks) this aspect of hunting is giving me a whole new way to spend more of the money i don't have...”

“Venison Jerky is Gooooood”

“Obviously this ain't your first rodeo... I am working out now with what few hills there are down here, with my old ALICE pack to get used to a ruck again. Also doing some general strength training with a buddy. I appreciate the gear ideas from everyone... looking at maybe a 2 night camp away from the base tent just trying to figure things i may need out there that don't apply to down here... any high country specifics come to mind?”

“i will say that his has to be one of the wildest off the wall sites ever to discuss politics, religion, and boobs...”

“tradorion: Perhaps the nicest thing at the two sites I mentioned is that they are clearly into the type of mountain hunting you speak of -- backcountry, tote your load, find that big bull elk. Good luck on your mission.

BTW, Wisconsin is on the road to expanding its elk herd to another location.”

“thanks pekka- actually, my dad keeps busting my chops for heading west (in a joking way) when some of the state adjoining SC are re-introducing elk... Kentucky, North Caroliona, Tennessee, and the Virginia's all have elk now... and some are working in seasons as the herds grow. But there is just some sort of draw that goes beyond the elk... i think it has to do with hearing them bugle in the high country... or maybe it is just wanting to get out to the high country itself...”

“When are you goning to be hunting? I am assuming September for bow hunting.

Even though the days will be warm to hot, the nights will get pretty chilly. Maybe down into the 20's or 30's. And in the high country, there is always the possibility of snow, even in July. So, you will want to be prepared for all types of weather.

I personally have never hunted the way you are going to go. I hunt out of the house, or my 5th wheel trailer at the trailhead. Always late season too. That way there is 'usually' enough snow for dragging. Last year was the first year we had to quarter the elk to get back to the truck. I have in other years drug a full size cow over a mile without even breaking a sweat, due to snow and downhill conditions.”

“Thought I'd say hello. I have been away from TT for a few months. Some of the threads had just gotten outragous, anyway I saw yours and thought I would reply.

I'm from NW Alabama and have been hunting in Co. for a little over ten years. I have hunted in Gunnison, Craig, Crested Butte, and others. We have not used a guide. We were not very sucessful for the first 2 years, but after that I reckon we finally figured out what to do. We normally hunt from a camp. In the past we have used horses and once we backpacked in and set up camp for 5 days. We normally rifle hunt so the weather is a little cooler by then.
The evelation gain will definately affect you. I live at 720 feet above sealevel. We drive out so we kinda get used to the gain over time. We leave at 720 feet and in 24hrs are at 9500. This is not a problem, but it is noticeable. Flying would add to this problem unless you spent some time near 5000 - 7000'. Don't worry it ain't a bad problem. You will just tire out faster, you will get short of breath quicker. Funny thing though you can rest for a shorter time than you would have to here. Your body will not be used to the the decreased oxygen available. After you spend a week there you can come home and seem like you can hike forever.
AS far as caring for the meat. we use game bags. Be sure to get the elk bags. They come with 4 bags for each quarter. Buy them before you leave home ( cabelas ).You can buy them there but they are expensive. I have the freighter frame that someone mentioned. I works great for packing out a whole quarter or head. After you get the meat back to camp and debone it the freigter frame is useless. I put the bag back on it and put the deboned meat back in the gamebags and then inside the pack. Its easier to carry this way.
The license have went up from 250 for elk to 450 ( I think, I can't remember) deer went from 150 to 250. They will get their money back, I'm sure half of the people will stil hunt. The ones it hurt were the merchants. They can't double their rates for motel rooms and such. We are not going to CO. this year on that account. If they had of raised their rates a little we would have understood, but nearly doubling them? I'll get off my soapbox now. We plan to bear hunt in Maine this year, but I would be glad to answer any of your questiond about Co.
Most of the folks here will be a tremendous aset to your aventures. I have been given a lot of advice on differant areas of the U.S. The best advice comes from someone who has been there.

BAMA”