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T minus 6 weeks... the countdown is on!

I'm prepared to suffer both mentally & physically! First week of September is going to be here very shortly.

I am starting runs in the heat this week. I am worried about the elevation this year. Seems like I am going to be above 11-12K quite a bit this year in CO. Most of my experience in WY and MT capped out at 11K. I tend to notice the lack of oxygen above 10K.

Anything over 10k is tough. 11k is really tough and anything over 12k is just miserable. Unfortunately, early season archery most of the bulls are up high, in my experience.

Getting me hyped up!

Best of luck! Hopefully you report back with two animals down!

Totally missed that - that's hilarious!

I actually didn't name this one. It is some of my regulars that put these out. However I think it was a limb they tripped over and feel straight down the hill. I will have to get the full backstory. I can't post some others cause I would definitely get the ban hammer

Any of you guys use Ozonics for bow hunting? I'm debating picking one up specifically to bring on my elk hunt. They're not super heavy and I can setup when calling and also for the handful of times I'm sure I'll sit on a wallow or park/meadow.

I can also use it for bow hunting back home so it's not a one and done. It's just not cheap but if it works I'll get it.

I use a home ozone generator, probably 90 bucks off Amazon. I know there are a lot of diy ideas out there that use what I got. My set up is a dedicated room in the house and put my stuff in there and let er rip. But you can't let it go too long if it has elastic or the banding wears out.

I was actually thinking about using it during the hunt. Essentially, bringing it out and turning it on when bugling and when/if sitting in a tree stand.

Always playing the wind first but I had two bulls bust me last year that circled and came in down wind just before I could pull off shot. Maybe this would have bought me another minute or two?

I am sure others use them and can chime in. I don't know anything about them in the field, sorry. I carry so little when I hunt now. I just ozone treat them when I get home and good to go.

All good - I appreciate the feedback! Have you noticed a difference taking that approach vs traditional scent "elimination" methods?

I treat everything in scent killer, I wash everything in scent killer, and store it in a bag or method that doesn't expose it someone burning bacon in the kitchen. Same approach I use for whitetail that I am not sure I remember the last time I was truly busted because of scent.

I am sure that being more active and sweating plays a major part in elk hunting but they definitely seem to be very sensitive to smell. Obviously play the thermals and your wind but I'm just wondering if this would be worth it? Especially at 13oz and considering I'll only have a day pack that is no more than 20-25lbs.

Anyone try for a Colorado leftover tag this morning?
Seemed to go a little smoother this year.

I did notice a tag disappeared off the leftover list before the website opened though.
They updated the tag numbers on the list and one of the premium hunts had 3 tags and it went to 2 tags before it opened up.

Tried to get an extra mule deer tag for brother in law but was too late I guess for first and second choice. I was checking out before 9:01 AM so seems odd to be beat that fast for two specific tags. Same deal last year. I have my conspiracy theories.

Anyone have any experience in Idaho Unit 17?

Thinking of drop camp for Elk/Mule Deer next year in the Selway-Bitterroot area

Depending on the tag but they are usually gone in seconds. Thousands of people all at once so there are usually several going for the same one. It's pretty ridiculous how crazy it's gotten even for turned back tags.

I didn't try any leftover licenses... but I can finally buy my add-on OTC bear tag!

In the offseason, I store all my clothes in plastic tubs with pinon juniper limbs that are sappy and pinecones. My mentor in western hunting got me into this.

As far as pre hunt, I wash in dead down wind soap, bathe in dead down wind wipes or soap and then use the wipes at night when in the field. I change shirts daily or rotate them. I dont geek out too much on gear, I keep it simple, outside reloading and boots/packs. The rest of the gear I buy what I can afford or second hand.

I guided a mule deer hunter last year, with a daypack that was 40lbs. He stayed at the house in a room I rent, so he didnt need anything outside extra shells, kill kit, game bags, food and water. He had so much BS gear, I told him after the first morning hunt that I was packing his pack for the afternoon. He wasnt too happy at first, but thanked me later when we took it down to about 14lbs.

Less packing clothes in Juniper - I do your same routine. I'm pretty anal about scent control but have just found that if you don't have the wind in your favor with elk, you're SOL.

I'll only have day packs and an extra lb is not going to hurt me since I'll just have basic necessities in my pack. Was just curious if it was something anyone has used on western hunts.

Thanks for the feedback!

I use the app Windy and WindHub to help me plan a stalk. Its a really great tool. I think if you take your time, which doesnt build a sweat as much as running up a mountain, it greatly increases your odds. If you have to run to get a bull, chances are you wouldnt get there in time anyway.

Thanks for the recommendation! I downloaded it and plan to use it.

Everyone in shape and ready for their hunts? I pushed my pack weight up to 35-40lbs and have been doing about 2 miles of hiking every other night up and down the bayous by the house.

Been really focusing on improving some of the stabilizer muscles in back and legs. Never been an issue just want to fortify the potential weak points.

Potentially changing sights to a 7 pin to shoot out to 80-90 without having to use my bubble as a pin but feel locked in all the way to 60 right now.

Good luck!

Hoyt Ag said:

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If you have to run to get a bull, chances are you wouldnt get there in time anyway.

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This is SO true. I have never killed a bull by hurrying. I have busted several, and seen more than one that I never could catch up to. Even on ones I did catch up to, I could t get set up or the wind wasn't as expected, and they busted. It just never seems to really work out.

Slowing down, taking time to carefully read the wind and plan your approach has yielded several bulls for me and friends. And twice we have killed bulls on the way to the one we thought we were going to kill. Bulls we would have busted had we been hurrying.

Maybe a few copperheads too? sorry you're not going this year but you had a hell of year (I think that was last year with your dad?) last year.

How did you tear both quads?

I'm also curious to see how you the challenge of the western hunt goes now that you're not living in that elevation. That's honestly the hardest part of it for me, regardless of my cardio prep. Training helps but just hard to replicate 11,500' down here - especially when you live at like 100'

I lost ~15lbs this year, so that will help. I've done a lot of hiking but that is it. Living at 7000' gives me a big advantage and I eat well enough. I finally stopped dipping after 20 years. It only took a 6 week vacation to Thailand and the Phillippines to kick it since I couldn't buy any over there. Not planning on any huge hunts this year, most guided trips are easy too.

Oh yeah, copperheads too!!!

My first few years of western hunting was when I lived in Houston- so I feel the pain for sure. I think the approach of getting your cardio as high as possible, and working on key groups and stabilizing muscles used for packing is paramount. I never worried about trying to replicate the altitude- it's just something you can't fully prepare for. I always felt that I t's going to kick my butt no matter what. So I did what I could to mitigate it (cardio, core, nutrition, hydration), and focused all the rest of my energy on developing mental fortitude. I've been in the mountains long enough to see it many times- someone's will is the first thing that tends to break.

Living at altitude was an advantage, for sure. I think the biggest plus was the ability to scout, though. When season started, I was often able to pretty much start hunting right away- instead of devoting lots of energy and time to finding the elk first. That was the game changer for me. I will miss the morning scouting more than hunting, as I always saw WAY more elk scouting than I ever did with a tag in my pocket- ha ha!

Time to post about workout regimen. Currently as a base do 1 day a week every week of weights dead lift, squat, back exercises. 1 day a week run 1-2miles. 1 day a week stability/stretch. Then various things like walk 9 holes of golf or tennis or yoga. Recently instead of running I started rucking 30 lbs 1-2miles. Trying to figure out whats most beneficial to ramp up.

How do you like to increase mental fortitude? I feel like that is easily the first thing to give up for me.

Running doesn't help me as much as hiking with a 40 lb pack. I have a park near me with some sections of steep terrain. About 3 miles per hike and hit the steep spots several times. Just like the mountains but with oxygen.
I do the mountain tough daily workouts (not every day though). Those kick my butt.

Mentally I feel like I can handle most things.
I hunt alone a lot but have an inreach to check in when I need to. I think it helps me to just enjoy time in the mountains and not stress over filling a tag.

Have a plan A thru Z.
Don't overcomplicate it.
Have good hunting partners that are equally mentally tough.
Know that if you give up you will regret it later.
Remember you are doing something most will never do.
Remember that elk can move fast, so nothing one minute, dozens the next.