Colorado Elk Hunting ??

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bigdogpete

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Need some information. I am a flat lander going to do a little first time mountain hunting next fall. This will be a non guided hunt.

I need some information on purifying water out of a mountain stream. I know boiling is probably the best but that might not be very handy if I would be a long distance from camp.

Any thought, ideas or hints would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
Have a look at this thread started by our very own rocky mountain hunting expert. I have hunted with H&Hhunter and he absolutely knows his stuff.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=661698

If you are able to drive in to your intended hunting camp then bring your own water. It is amazing how far a little water will go when you are only using it to drink and a very little to wash up. If you are hiking in then look into a good quality backpacking purifier.

I tend to be a bit of a gear geek but when hunting in the rockies good gear can make a difference. No cotton. Wool or tech blends but no cotton at all. That crap is a death sentence if it get cold and wet.

But rather than rewrite the entire list have a look at the one H&H built.

One last thing, cardio. Start working on it now. I have asthma and can only move at a certain pace at high altitude but do yourself a favor and be in the best shape you can be before you hit the mountains. There are no deer stands or blinds up there. What there is, is lots of walking in tough terrain. Though it really does depend on what area you are hunting. I have have hunted from above tree line to scrub oak mesas...
 
Even a small amount of household bleach will work in a pinch. I do not remember the exact amount per gallon, but it was measured in drops, not ounces
 
Robert,
Great tips. I am not young anymore and this is my first elk hunt. We will be transported to a drop camp by horse about 5 miles and then on our on. If I am fortunate to tag out. I won't have to pack out the animal.

Thanks
 
You will want to not only do cardio, but things like stadium stairs. having lived and hunted in Colorado and NV where the animals are all in the same direction, UP, hunting can be a very laborious challenge. Remember to allow yourself a day or two before you go to get there and get acclimated to the altitude. Read up on altitude sickness and how to respond, especially if you are on your own. Easy to cure, deadly if you don't
 
oneounceload said:
You will want to not only do cardio, but things like stadium stairs. having lived and hunted in Colorado and NV where the animals are all in the same direction, UP, hunting can be a very laborious challenge. Remember to allow yourself a day or two before you go to get there and get acclimated to the altitude. Read up on altitude sickness and how to respond, especially if you are on your own. Easy to cure, deadly if you don't
Click to expand...
Great advice.
 
I use one of these.

http://www.rei.com/product/671111/msr-sweetwater-water-purifier-system

Bleach or purification tablets are an inexpensive alternative that does not take up much space. While the water may not kill you, it will not be very clear or taste good with just chemical treatment.

It has been a while since I've done any true backpacking, hunting or otherwise. At this point I usually hunt from a base camp where I'm back before night. In rare cases I might spend 1 night in remote places and can usually just carry enough to get me through 2 days and 1 night.
 
I use a light weight MSR pack filter. I used to use chemicals and still do carry bleach as back up but a filter is just to simple and to handy not to have. (one drop, but two never killed anyone, per liter BTW). The advantage to a filter is that you don't have to wait and your water tastes great no bleach or iodine after taste.

As far as fitness. If you can, get yourself enrolled in a Cross-fit gym. There is no better workout program for this type of hunting. Unless of course you are going to strap on a pack and hit the high country for 6 months to a year prior to your hunt. But we all know that isn't really feasible for folks who don't live near or in the high country.
 
H&Hhunter said:
I use a light weight MSR pack filter. I used to use chemicals and still do carry bleach as back up but a filter is just to simple and to handy not to have. (one drop, but two never killed anyone, per liter BTW). The advantage to a filter is that you don't have to wait and your water tastes great no bleach or iodine after taste.

As far as fitness. If you can, get yourself enrolled in a Cross-fit gym. There is no better workout program for this type of hunting. Unless of course you are going to strap on a pack and hit the high country for 6 months to a year prior to your hunt. But we all know that isn't really feasible for folks who don't live near or in the high country.
Click to expand...

Never mind on the link. I just now saw jmr40's link.


Could you give a link to what an MSR pack filter is. I have no idea what this is. Also, just regular household bleach???
 
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When I was a backpacking freak from 1971 through the 1980's I used iodine or household bleach for it's light weight but never liked the taste and it takes 20-30 minutes to kill parasites at 30-50f Rocky Mountian temperatures. I caved and now use a filter but carry a dropper of iodine for back-up.
A pump filter is a PITA but just about fool proof.

Good hunting
 
I agree, use a filter. I would not drink any stream or lake water without the filter. And be sure it has a small enough screen to filter out Giardia -- you absolutely don't want to get that.

Comfortable boots, good binoculars, layered clothing and a way to keep warm sleeping at night. And have a great time. I did Colorado for several years, never shot anything but always had fun.
 
^^^^ Comfortable and WELL BROKEN IN boots. Buy them now and break them in until they are like a 20 year baseball glove - and still pack some mole skin anyway. I have two pairs of US-made Danners, one with 200 grams insulation and one for real cold with 800 gram.

And when you do stadium stairs, try to wear whatever clothing and pack you might be using with the weight added including the weight of the gun. Every ounce really counts when going uphill AND down - up is hard on your lungs, down is hard on your legs - especially steep uneven ground with shale or loose rock
 
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