You gotta wear bright a-- orange (or apparently pink) anyway, and orange camo isn't going to meet the requirement. So camo really isn't much of an issue. I wore a grey wool/poly thermal underwear top, with a brown NF softshell vest 90% of the time.

A.G.S. said:

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just wanna make sure I have enough of the right gear to make it enjoyable.

For all of you who have (hopefully) successfully pulled off one of these hunts, is the high end western state camo really worth it?

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Honestly it's great stuff but not worth the price. If you want really good gear at a much lower price I'd focus on some merino wool pieces on Sierra trading Post or camofire. Then go to Eddie Bauer.com and pick up some packable down pieces and some windproof shells. Their spring clearance is going on now so it's 40% off everything, including clearance. You can get some $200 pieces for $50 right now.

ursusguy said:

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You gotta wear bright a-- orange (or apparently pink) anyway, and orange camo isn't going to meet the requirement. So camo really isn't much of an issue. I wore a grey wool/poly thermal underwear top, with a brown NF softshell vest 90% of the time.

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Dang, this is one of those things that I knew in my mind, and even have a couple vests packed in my day bag, but I wasn't even thinking about. Looks like I'll stick with my deer hunting camo: brown pants and whatever shirt I can find.

Yeah, I got a few wool mid layer options in my closet, but I am trying to add more. Since I'm going in 3rd rifle I am planning for massive potential temperature shifts.

I have been on camofire twice a day for the past few weeks, and sierra trading post at least 2 or 3 times a week.

Packable puffy layers are your best friend for big swings in temps. A puffy under a windproof shell is you best weight to warmth ratio available.

I was 13 miles from my truck on the continental divide 2 summers ago in July. When the clear 60 degree day turned to lightning, high wind, sideways hail and rain with a 25 degree temp drop, At that point, I knew I'd never be pissed at myself for having quality mountain clothing. It's a matter of comfort and confidence. Those 2 things make it a helluva lot easier to stay on the mountain in bad conditions.

FYI: Conditions are gonna get bad on the mountain.

Oh, I can imagine. Just about every day I spend 30 minutes to an hour of research into this trip, and I know that when the time comes even that almost certainly will not be enough. I am just trying to prepare as much as possible, and as early as possible.

Also, from the sounds of it, we are going to be working out of a base camp every day, and I was advised by my buddy to not even think about traveling more than 3-4 miles from any trailhead. (i.e. in the event I am successful, I gotta pack out how ever far I go in).

Started hitting the gym hard last month, been going 5 days a week at lunch, and trying to hit legs at least a little bit everyday; cardio in the evenings, and mowing my lawn with a pack every weekend (and using the self-propel as little as possible).

A.G.S. said:

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and mowing my lawn with a pack every weekend (and using the self-propel as little as possible).

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I'd pay a dollar to see that.

I've definitely considered it as well. There is some pretty good elevation change to my yard.

Lungblood said:

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A.G.S. said:

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and mowing my lawn with a pack every weekend (and using the self-propel as little as possible).

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I'd pay a dollar to see that.

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Lemme know next time you come through B/CS. I'll put that dollar in my hunt jar.

I quit dipping to, just for this reason. That's another 40$ a week towards my goal.

So far I'm at $280 in the hunt fund. Short term goal is $700 in the jar by July 25th to buy the OTC tag.

Secondary goal is to be down to a strong 195 by then (sitting at 211 now, so definitely doable)

Good luck man. Sounds like you have a plan and are sticking to it. I have no doubt you'll pull it off.

Quote:

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FYI: Conditions are gonna get bad on the mountain.

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Truth!

A.G.S. said:

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Oh, I can imagine. Just about every day I spend 30 minutes to an hour of research into this trip, and I know that when the time comes even that almost certainly will not be enough. I am just trying to prepare as much as possible, and as early as possible.

Also, from the sounds of it, we are going to be working out of a base camp every day, and I was advised by my buddy to not even think about traveling more than 3-4 miles from any trailhead. (i.e. in the event I am successful, I gotta pack out how ever far I go in).

Started hitting the gym hard last month, been going 5 days a week at lunch, and trying to hit legs at least a little bit everyday; cardio in the evenings, and mowing my lawn with a pack every weekend (and using the self-propel as little as possible).

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Make sure you squat at least 2-3 times a week, deadlift 1-2 times a week, and work in some core activity in all of your workouts. Don't worry too much about traditional cardio in the sense that you need to run or use an elliptical for an hour. Strength training and high intensity workouts have served me well in the mountains. If you were just participating in a trail race then you'd do more cardio, but you're going to be maneuvering with heavy equipment and hopefully a lot of game meat on your back. A little more strength in the legs and back make that more tolerable.

Quote:

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you're going to be maneuvering with heavy equipment and hopefully a lot of game meat on your back. A little more strength in the legs and back make that more tolerable.

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And as a first priority, get good boots and a good pack. Do not skimp in these areas.

Log said:

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Quote:

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FYI: Conditions are gonna get bad on the mountain.

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Truth!

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Got it

I've found that listening to hunting podcasts during heavy squat day has been an even better motivator than blasting metal music.

Thanks man. I've been using it as the motivation to make a lot of lifestyle changes, so even if the hunt isn't successful, the journey will be.

Still need to determine whether or not my Pronghorns will be a good (light) enough boot for the mountains.

Also need to figure out if a standalone GPS unit or a phone solution will suit me better, but I got time on that front.

A.G.S. said:

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Thanks man. I've been using it as the motivation to make a lot of lifestyle changes, so even if the hunt isn't successful, the journey will be.

Still need to determine whether or not my Pronghorns will be a good (light) enough boot for the mountains.

Also need to figure out if a standalone GPS unit or a phone solution will suit me better, but I got time on that front.

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In my opinion no. The tread on them was worthless for me last October climbing up steep ridges. I fell way too much. My hunting partner finally told me to burn them when I got back.

Any recommendations?

I tried on the Irish Setter Vaprtek's, but I've seen mixed reviews on their durability. I don't mind spending good money on a pair of boots I can use for a long time, but don't wanna waste money on boots just for 1 hunt.

No. I'm in the same boat. Need to figure that out this year.

Gotcha. I was also looking at the Danner High Grounds, but haven't gotten a chance to try any on yet.

May have to make a journey to a Bass Pro or Cabelas, not many options in B/CS.

I did not enjoy the 2 hunts I've used my pronghorns on. Maybe I need to break them in more or something, but outside of them being warm in the snow they weren't fun.

I like Merrel Moab Ventilators for a non waterproof option (light and comfy if you don't mind wet feet) and Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX for a waterproof option. I haven't put the Salomons thru the full test yet, but hunted with 2 people this year who loved theirs and based on the limited hiking I've done with them so far, they're pretty good.

A.G.S. said:

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May have to make a journey to a Bass Pro or Cabelas, not many options in B/CS.

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That's what I did. I went to REI and talked to a few people and tried on several until I found what I liked.

Oh and for phone vs gps, I use both. GPS typically stays on all day and I mark major things (camp, water, etc) plus it keeps my track. The phone plus OnXHunt Maps is nice for the realtime satellite imagery and bigger topo picture if you're trying to locate something or get a better feel for the terrain surrounding you (pocket meadows, funnels, where elk might be moving to or from based on sounds, possible streams, etc).

Thanks! Definitely prefer waterproof, just for versatility, so I'll check out the Salomons.

I have the less "hardy" version of those Salomons... the Ultra Mid 2 GTX, and love them.

Also, Colorado released their 2016 Elk Harvest data, if you're in to that sort of thing...

http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Hunting/BigGame/Statistics/Elk/2016StatewideElkHarvest.pdf

I'm always leery of harvest reports that aren't mandatory, but there's the data nonetheless.

Mountains are interesting for sure. As the crow flies, AgLA06 and I were only a few miles apart during our elk hunts, but had very different weather experiences. We were different aspects of the mountain, and I was camped about a 1,000 feet higher. I got snowed on pretty good, flirted with single digits several mornings, and had wind out the ying yang about half the trip. Other than the first couple days, I didn't have to jack with mud because most if it was frozen starting day 3. AgLA06 got rain, and had to deal with more mud issues. And had some sketchy a-- slopes to deal with. I had fairly flat ground that walked up to random dropoffs. Some times you could pick your way up or down, some times you shook your head and walked two miles back around the mountain.

In the end, I'm pretty damn happy we both killed bulls.

A.G.S. said:

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Any recommendations?

I tried on the Irish Setter Vaprtek's, but I've seen mixed reviews on their durability. I don't mind spending good money on a pair of boots I can use for a long time, but don't wanna waste money on boots just for 1 hunt.

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I've got the Vaprteks and they served me well this past season. Everything looks good so far on them and they were pretty light and comfortable with all of my hiking. My only complaint has been their traction on snow and ice. They don't seem to have enough bite to them when it gets snowy or muddy.

AgEng06 said:

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Also, Colorado released their 2016 Elk Harvest data, if you're in to that sort of thing...

http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Hunting/BigGame/Statistics/Elk/2016StatewideElkHarvest.pdf

I'm always leery of harvest reports that aren't mandatory, but there's the data nonetheless.

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I didn't report, so it's not accurate.

I'll have to hunt up a picture. I don't think I wrote a recap on here either. I will summarize tonight when I can sit down and member.

AgEng06 said:

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Also, Colorado released their 2016 Elk Harvest data, if you're in to that sort of thing...

http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Hunting/BigGame/Statistics/Elk/2016StatewideElkHarvest.pdf

I'm always leery of harvest reports that aren't mandatory, but there's the data nonetheless.

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Dang, 3rd rifle in Unit 55 is looking rough....

A.G.S. said:

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AgEng06 said:

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Also, Colorado released their 2016 Elk Harvest data, if you're in to that sort of thing...

http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Hunting/BigGame/Statistics/Elk/2016StatewideElkHarvest.pdf

I'm always leery of harvest reports that aren't mandatory, but there's the data nonetheless.

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Dang, 3rd rifle in Unit 55 is looking rough....

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It's all relative. The unit Ursus and I hunted apparently had a total success rate of 15% based on that link. Between our two groups we were 2/5 and should have been 3/5. You have to remember that public land units will show horrible odds.

80% of the hunters will never leave a marked trail. We only used one to get to our base camp. Most won't camp away from a road or trail head. I woke up 3 miles ahead of them every morning before heading further in at 5:00am.

Even if they do camp on the mountain, then they have to have a good plan. Randomly walking around doesn't kill elk. And if you do find elk, you have to be able to get a good shot in quickly. Most nonresidents can't get whitetail hunting out of their head. It's nothing like that. It's truly primal hunting that's so hard it seems impossible until you're boning out an elk.

With the amount of elk I saw, the kill odds should be much better. Hell my hunting partner had multiple chances, but couldn't make the shot or panicked and blew it. Even if you do everything correct doesn't mean another hunting group or mountain lion didn't push the elk out. Don't let the odds discourage you unless it's for private property units.

I thought Jay Scott's recent podcast with Chris Roe was pretty entertaining regarding Colorado elk (Podcast #262). They even hit on one of the topics of this thread: the increase in popularity of backcountry hunting and the "fitness" hunter (around 62 minute mark).

Decided to go points only this year in Wyoming.
I made my donation to Utah (all species)
I'm in for New Mexico Unit 52 elk.
Still undecided on Colorado deer, but I'd like to use my points this year.

I was only discouraged for a moment! Started looking at all the area in that unit far away from any road.... and started to get excited all over again. Think I may do a 2nd workout today.