Yeah, good point. My first archery elk was on 9/11/20 and there was snow on the ground in Pagosa.
2023 Western Hunting Thread
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Last: 1 yr ago by BradMtn346
That's awesome!
ttha_aggie_09 said:
What about for cardio? I'm fully aware I'm going to get my ass kicked again (like always at that altitude) but I'm trying to figure what goal in training I should have. I've not had issues with lower body strength during the hunts so far, thank goodness.
What's a good goal you guys have had that you think helps with cardio?
I'm trying to figure out if it's a keep an X pace for 3-5 miles, be able to run 5-6 miles (or more) without stopping, hit the stair climber for X amount of time without stopping…
Just curious what you guys have done and hoping I can change my approach this time.
I'm curious as well. I'm going for montana elk and i'm out of shape
Last year was my first year to go and I just did the program and didn't worry too much about the rest, there is a lot of cardio mixed in. That said, I went into it in decent shape. There is nothing you can do to prepare for the altitude, but I felt like I was reasonably well prepared last year.
The two hunts I have been on I switched to hiking hills with 50lb pack about 2.5 month ahead of time. The 2nd year I did that exclusively without mixing runs in and my cardio wasn't as good so I'm going to back to keeping a mix
First timer here. Little brother and I are going to CO for archery. Either OTC or 78/80/81. We don't know squat yet. Doing a ton of research, and working out. Altitude is going to kill us lowland folk. But we're jumping straight in and going to find out what won't work.
If anyone has resources on strategy/tactics/lessons I'm all ears.
We are hoping after 5 years or so, we will have a better understanding and can start bringing our kids along.
If anyone has resources on strategy/tactics/lessons I'm all ears.
We are hoping after 5 years or so, we will have a better understanding and can start bringing our kids along.
pay $100 to enroll in Elk 101 - - well worth itTwoMarksHand said:
First timer here. Little brother and I are going to CO for archery. Either OTC or 78/80/81. We don't know squat yet. Doing a ton of research, and working out. Altitude is going to kill us lowland folk. But we're jumping straight in and going to find out what won't work.
If anyone has resources on strategy/tactics/lessons I'm all ears.
We are hoping after 5 years or so, we will have a better understanding and can start bringing our kids along.
ttha_aggie_09 said:
What about for cardio? I'm fully aware I'm going to get my ass kicked again (like always at that altitude) but I'm trying to figure what goal in training I should have. I've not had issues with lower body strength during the hunts so far, thank goodness.
What's a good goal you guys have had that you think helps with cardio?
I'm trying to figure out if it's a keep an X pace for 3-5 miles, be able to run 5-6 miles (or more) without stopping, hit the stair climber for X amount of time without stopping…
Just curious what you guys have done and hoping I can change my approach this time.
You can do stuff like p90x/insanity to get up that high intensity strength/cardio combo once or twice a week.
I would also get a good zone2 base - do 2x a week 30-45min. (luckily rucking with a heavy pack will usually get you to zone 2 (~70% max hr).
And make sure to do mobility/stretching regimen once a week too.
There are a million theories on training for western hunting. I dont do any of them, I hate the gym with a passion and just get out and hike with heavy packs. I am well aware its not a good plan, but I eat best I can and train when I can in the mountains.
Few things I can pass along:
- Mental toughness is a big part of the training. If you go OTC, prepare yourself to see lots of other hunters, probably not see a ton of elk and it becoming a long camping trip. However, the flipside of that is that it can all change in a moments notice. So always be hunting. If you plan on ten days of hunting, then hunt ten days. Don't go home on day 5 if you are not seeing anything. You are doing something that the majority of hunters dream of and don't. You are blessed to be there so make it count.
- Prioritize your gear of what is most important to you. I focus on the best boots I can afford, then a good pack, then glass. Don't bog yourself down with every new gizmo on the market. Look at other peoples pack lists and keep it simple.
- Invest in OnX or some sort of mapping tool that you can use when not in cell service. It has a plethora of uses and makes for a fun off season to escout and develop plans.
- Have plan A-Z. Things happen, so be able to adjust.
- Cover ground.
- Dont worry about bugling your first or second year. At most get a cow call and use that.
- Dont feel like you HAVE to get 5-9 miles back to hunt. Guess what? EVERYONE wants to hunt away from others. EVERYONE is on the hunting 5+ miles back trend. Going 5 miles back leaves 5 miles of area not hunted sometimes. Do not fall into that trap. Find an area in each plan that you like and hunt it. No animals? Move on.
- I would hunt OTC in CO until it goes away to get points in the bank. The BRO guys say it best, invest in tags not gear. So start building points and you can potentially hunt big game every year.
- Have fun.
- Have fun.
Few things I can pass along:
- Mental toughness is a big part of the training. If you go OTC, prepare yourself to see lots of other hunters, probably not see a ton of elk and it becoming a long camping trip. However, the flipside of that is that it can all change in a moments notice. So always be hunting. If you plan on ten days of hunting, then hunt ten days. Don't go home on day 5 if you are not seeing anything. You are doing something that the majority of hunters dream of and don't. You are blessed to be there so make it count.
- Prioritize your gear of what is most important to you. I focus on the best boots I can afford, then a good pack, then glass. Don't bog yourself down with every new gizmo on the market. Look at other peoples pack lists and keep it simple.
- Invest in OnX or some sort of mapping tool that you can use when not in cell service. It has a plethora of uses and makes for a fun off season to escout and develop plans.
- Have plan A-Z. Things happen, so be able to adjust.
- Cover ground.
- Dont worry about bugling your first or second year. At most get a cow call and use that.
- Dont feel like you HAVE to get 5-9 miles back to hunt. Guess what? EVERYONE wants to hunt away from others. EVERYONE is on the hunting 5+ miles back trend. Going 5 miles back leaves 5 miles of area not hunted sometimes. Do not fall into that trap. Find an area in each plan that you like and hunt it. No animals? Move on.
- I would hunt OTC in CO until it goes away to get points in the bank. The BRO guys say it best, invest in tags not gear. So start building points and you can potentially hunt big game every year.
- Have fun.
- Have fun.
No matter what you do for cardio, be very comfortable going miles with heavy packs. I would make sure you can step up on 18-24in boxes with a 50+lbs pack easily over long distances. Being able to cover ground with a heavy pack sometimes outweighs the cardio aspect. Most guys don't anticipate how hard it is to carry heavy loads in unforgiving country.
There are a lot of podcasts out there on western hunting, but I find them uninformative. They are just people sharing stories with not much info to learn. My favorites that I actually learn from are as follows:
-The Hunt Backcountry (this is my favorite. Look up the Before the Hunt podcasts. They are essentially rookies talking about their prep for first hunts and then there is a follow up podcast for After the Hunt. Very informative on Dos and Donts, lessons learned and gear help)
-THP
-Backcountry Hunting
-Eastman's Elevated
-The Hunt Backcountry (this is my favorite. Look up the Before the Hunt podcasts. They are essentially rookies talking about their prep for first hunts and then there is a follow up podcast for After the Hunt. Very informative on Dos and Donts, lessons learned and gear help)
-THP
-Backcountry Hunting
-Eastman's Elevated
This EXACTLY.Hoyt Ag said:
No matter what you do for cardio, be very comfortable going miles with heavy packs. I would make sure you can step up on 18-24in boxes with a 50+lbs pack easily over long distances. Being able to cover ground with a heavy pack sometimes outweighs the cardio aspect. Most guys don't anticipate how hard it is to carry heavy loads in unforgiving country.
If your in flatland like me you have to mock the slope the best you can. I have a ladder, 24" box, series of small walls, and a few big rocks in the yard. I am currently working out year round but 2 months out and even in prep for some of the TACs will carry pack & weapon (rifle or bow w sidearm) in my workouts. Go up and down the ladder X times step up down on box X times and then go fling an arrow, or shot on target sometimes with heart rates at 130-160. With practice you can be accurate but you have to completely change up the typical range breathing cycle. I might go through 7-10 breathes between draw & release at those heart rates. If you think you had a really hard work out and are proud of yourself then take the height of your ladder and your box and multiply your reps and compare that to 2500' ascent or even 1500'. It will be humbling!
If you cant bring a weapon into the facility your using grab one of the Oly bars 25-45# and carry it like a rifle. Lunge with it or do the step up/downs or bulgarian squats. If you can get comfortable with a 45# bar your rifle should be no problem. Vary up how you carry them as well, you will need to change it up in the mtns.
The other thing this does is allow you to test gear and how it rides with each other. If you don't do this prior you will burn a day of hunting trying to figure your gear out or worse end up with blisters for days or just simply annoyed.
Oz leads to lbs and lbs lead to pain and the most important lbs you can save is the ones around your belly. That said be smart about what you pack you dont need everything. If your buddy is too smoked to glass when stopped than why is he carrying binos just share. If your topped out and the weather forecast is good sub your rain gear for a 30 gallon garbage bag. If rain shows up cut 3 holes in it and now you have light weight poncho. Water, you need it and your carrying it so drink it.
The climb and cold. For me I like to be uncomfortably cold almost throughout the hunt because I sweat a ton and I try to manage not being wet. So much that on big climbs in the early am I will strip down sometimes to just my orange vest and or T shirt short or long. Upon reaching stopping point I will strip down further and hang anything wet and sit like that for 5-10 minutes or whatever it takes to stop sweating. Then I put on dry clothes jacket etc.
Get to your hunt area a few days early and acclimatize the best you can. On the drive up if you have a chance to detour 30 min to have lunch at 10-12K do so, and try to repeat several times on the way up. Even better go to a TH put all your gear on and go on a hike 1-4 hrs it will break the drive up and really help to prepare you for whats coming. In my experience coming from flatland its still a shock to the system no matter how hard you prepare but there is a big difference in how bad it is.
I am training for the Leadville 100. Start of my training will be very similar to hunt training. Rucking with 30 pound pack several hours a week. Not enough weight to put strain on your back, but enough to get your heart rate up in good shape. When Hunting season approached I will up the weight and mileage.
CO Hunt Planner for 2023 and 2024 is out with price increases listed for 2023.
2023-2024 Big Game Hunting Planner (state.co.us)
2023-2024 Big Game Hunting Planner (state.co.us)
Cupofjoe04 or others that have hunted San Juan National forest
Any experience in Unit 751? It looks like I can draw a muzzleloader tag there with 1 point. I would like to do a drop camp to get back deep - Western Sky Outfitters is an option. Do you know anything or have experience with that group ? best I can tell they are the same outfitter that is listed in the F&S article on building a western muzzleloader outfit that I'm basing my gun , powder and bullet setup on so I'm thinking they should be reputable
Any experience in Unit 751? It looks like I can draw a muzzleloader tag there with 1 point. I would like to do a drop camp to get back deep - Western Sky Outfitters is an option. Do you know anything or have experience with that group ? best I can tell they are the same outfitter that is listed in the F&S article on building a western muzzleloader outfit that I'm basing my gun , powder and bullet setup on so I'm thinking they should be reputable
Hoyt, looking at cramming 3 tags into 2nd season up in your neck of the woods this year. Tired of fighting the Denver crowds in 28.
Email is in my profile. Happy to help however I can. Access, areas to avoid, crash at my bed and breakfast, logistics. I want folks to succeed so I am an open book as best I can be.
I've been in the very upper reaches of 751, but never accessed from typical points or the Vallecito system. I have hiked in to Granite Lake and Divide Lakes, but always from Poison Park (Unit 77). It's a 20 mile hike round trip, and it will get your lungs and legs burning for sure. I know there is access from Vallecito, but I've never done it.
The upper regions on the unit can have some pretty rough terrain. The unit is sort of carrot shaped, with much of the unit being along the divide. There are some big drainages that would be good to hunt- tough but pretty profitable if you can leg it out and get there. Especially during muzzy season. Getting within 150 yards of an elk will be a real challenge, no doubt. Especially if they aren't talking during the day.
I've seen elk along the Los Pinos and in the Flint Creek drainage, during late summer. I'm sure they are there in Sept, if they don't get bumped. But you are gonna want to pack in camp with horses to get that far back in the Wemincuhe Wilderness.
It's not the biggest unit, and doesn't have the widest variety of topography (most of the low stuff is hit pretty hard). But, it hunts big. Lots of tough terrain. There are elk in the upper reaches early season. You will work your butt off for them. A guide would be extremely worth it.
I don't know that outfitter, sorry. Can't help there.
The upper regions on the unit can have some pretty rough terrain. The unit is sort of carrot shaped, with much of the unit being along the divide. There are some big drainages that would be good to hunt- tough but pretty profitable if you can leg it out and get there. Especially during muzzy season. Getting within 150 yards of an elk will be a real challenge, no doubt. Especially if they aren't talking during the day.
I've seen elk along the Los Pinos and in the Flint Creek drainage, during late summer. I'm sure they are there in Sept, if they don't get bumped. But you are gonna want to pack in camp with horses to get that far back in the Wemincuhe Wilderness.
It's not the biggest unit, and doesn't have the widest variety of topography (most of the low stuff is hit pretty hard). But, it hunts big. Lots of tough terrain. There are elk in the upper reaches early season. You will work your butt off for them. A guide would be extremely worth it.
I don't know that outfitter, sorry. Can't help there.
Oh, and if you don't have a smoke pole yet, take a serious look at the Remington 700 UML. It's heavy, but it's a phenomenal platform.
My CO setup is a Rem 700 UML, ghost rings, and federal BOR Lock or Thor FBC bullets. 120gr of Blackhorn 209, and that is an elk stomping machine out as far as you can see.
My CO setup is a Rem 700 UML, ghost rings, and federal BOR Lock or Thor FBC bullets. 120gr of Blackhorn 209, and that is an elk stomping machine out as far as you can see.
Got my first bow this year, so I've started by putting in for NM Non Res Archery Elk and Rifle Pronghorn. Hoping to try for some NW Montana hunting as well, but I'm still trying to understand all their regs. I married into a family from up there, so hoping to spend a couple weeks there this coming fall.
I'd love to hunt Montana one day. I've heard the Missouri Breaks are awesome but not really close to where your family is.
My buddy and I are hopefully hunting NW montana this fall. Have an outfitter booked pending drawing the tags, which I'm told with their help we should get them.
are you hunting the early wilderness rifle hunt?Htownag11 said:
My buddy and I are hopefully hunting NW montana this fall. Have an outfitter booked pending drawing the tags, which I'm told with their help we should get them.
AgDad121619 said:are you hunting the early wilderness rifle hunt?Htownag11 said:
My buddy and I are hopefully hunting NW montana this fall. Have an outfitter booked pending drawing the tags, which I'm told with their help we should get them.
No, first week of general. If I had it to do over that is what I would have picked but i'm new to this.
Htownag11 said:AgDad121619 said:are you hunting the early wilderness rifle hunt?Htownag11 said:
My buddy and I are hopefully hunting NW montana this fall. Have an outfitter booked pending drawing the tags, which I'm told with their help we should get them.
No, first week of general. If I had it to do over that is what I would have picked but i'm new to this.
The early wilderness hunt is only good for scenery. What outfit are yall booked with?
JFABNRGR said:Htownag11 said:AgDad121619 said:are you hunting the early wilderness rifle hunt?Htownag11 said:
My buddy and I are hopefully hunting NW montana this fall. Have an outfitter booked pending drawing the tags, which I'm told with their help we should get them.
No, first week of general. If I had it to do over that is what I would have picked but i'm new to this.
The early wilderness hunt is only good for scenery. What outfit are yall booked with?
Swan Mountain Outfitters. My wife and I did a summer pack trip with them in '21 and I had to go back.
Tell me more about this. Which wilderness did you hunt - absaroka or the Bob ?JFABNRGR said:Htownag11 said:AgDad121619 said:are you hunting the early wilderness rifle hunt?Htownag11 said:
My buddy and I are hopefully hunting NW montana this fall. Have an outfitter booked pending drawing the tags, which I'm told with their help we should get them.
No, first week of general. If I had it to do over that is what I would have picked but i'm new to this.
The early wilderness hunt is only good for scenery. What outfit are yall booked with?
Put in for NM 16B, 16C, and 21A. If we don't draw, we'll pick up the OTC or easy drawn CO southern units.
Without digging a whole outside of mobile, anyone familiar with UT draw? I did it last year and looking to continue building points. I need to check back tomorrow on my PC just wasn't direct on how to apply for points.
The scenery was beautiful but they won't steal my money again on a hunt. Our lead wrangler camp boss quit in middle of hunt due to an ongoing dispute with another ahole guide who took over. Trainwreck coming out. i would guess their summer ride fish trips are good but hunts not so much. Good luck.
AgDad121619 said:Tell me more about this. Which wilderness did you hunt - absaroka or the Bob ?JFABNRGR said:Htownag11 said:AgDad121619 said:are you hunting the early wilderness rifle hunt?Htownag11 said:
My buddy and I are hopefully hunting NW montana this fall. Have an outfitter booked pending drawing the tags, which I'm told with their help we should get them.
No, first week of general. If I had it to do over that is what I would have picked but i'm new to this.
The early wilderness hunt is only good for scenery. What outfit are yall booked with?
I was in the Bob with Swan and never again. Beautiful country but 7 hunters 7 days 21 miles deep and only one visible shootable animal and my buddy killed it. A barely legal black bear. I didn't cut one fresh elk sign and I pushed my guide to his hiking limits in places outside their normal run around. The outfitter sold that camp and is no longer hunting there. The buyer was a church not another outfitter. Fishing was good.
I have actually hunted the Bob twice but the first time was on far east and not zone with dual weapon rut. Definitely elk there but that wind mid to late season is wicked bad. With my 12 yo daughter we experienced one of the worst blizzards I have seen and when the snow stopped the wind was 60mph and -20. It knocked me down twice and would roll my pack. Not gonna lie there were a couple times I thought I was an idiot dad but she did very well and was even offered a summer job. Guide told me that wind was common like that so enough said there for future hunts.
JFABNRGR said:
The scenery was beautiful but they won't steal my money again on a hunt. Our lead wrangler camp boss quit in middle of hunt due to an ongoing dispute with another ahole guide who took over. Trainwreck coming out. i would guess their summer ride fish trips are good but hunts not so much. Good luck.
Ha… yikes. Oh well, we'll make the best of it. Hopefully your experience was an outlier. Who was your guide?
Anybody know what is going with San Juan River outfitters (NM)? Seems like I read an endorsement for them on here a couple years back and I talked with owner John last year. I was going to apply this year through them as outfitter for an elk tag but their website now says "under construction" and phone number is busy. Don't know if business is changing hands or something else going on.
I was reading about the breaks awhile back. Seems like a great place to spend some time once I get a little more experienced.
Since I'm still easing into this, I'm hoping to just do some whitetail hunting up by Trego. Some beautiful country up there, and the fly fishing guide I always use says he has good luck on public up there.
Since I'm still easing into this, I'm hoping to just do some whitetail hunting up by Trego. Some beautiful country up there, and the fly fishing guide I always use says he has good luck on public up there.
Hoyt Ag said:
Email is in my profile. Happy to help however I can. Access, areas to avoid, crash at my bed and breakfast, logistics. I want folks to succeed so I am an open book as best I can be.
Thoughts on Unit 44 & 47 for 3rd Rifle Elk?
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