Planning 1st Elk Hunt , need advice

[osprey176]

I moved west from Florida 4 years ago.My advice is get in shape,and practice with your rifle.The shots may be close,but you need to be ready to take a long one.You don't want to pass on a good bull because he is 300 yards away.Get an adjustable bipod and practice using until it is second nature.I use a portable from cabelas,not a rifle mounted verson like the Harris.Much quicker to use.I took my first bull two weeks ago at 370 yards with the bipod.Shooting from the bench will not prepare you for that hurried,long shot.Burn some ammo,and good luck.

 

[rondog]

Bring help? Elk are heavy.

 

[Shinbone]

I'm reading all this and I'm amazed at the prep work that you need to go through. I say this because my Dad used to go to Wyoming every year "elk hunting". Never took any special clothing, equipment, maps or exercised to get in shape or practiced shooting.
I don't think that's what he was really doing...maybe more like hunting a good time.

 

[Cob]

The outfitter informed me today that Wolf Creek Ski area opens tomorrow, not too far from where we'll be hunting. They have gotten over 24" of snow this week. Sleeping in a tent in snow, after being acclimized in FL looks like an adventure in itself. He also said be prepared to sleep in sub freezing temps nightly. This hunt is an adventure in itself, which BTW is just what i was looking for. (Ironically the hunt for an elk is much more than that.) A personal challenge to get away from civilization for a while, and enjoy the hunt.

 

[GJgo]

When I hunt in that area 3rd season, nightly temps are usually between 5 & 20 degrees. If you need any suggestions for sleeping gear let us know- this will be key to your comfort / success.

 

[Cob]

I've got a sleeping bag from Gander Mountain rated for 20 degrees,also have a wool blanket that i keep rolled with it. was planning on sleeping in clothes to assist with insulation. also have a military self inflating pad that i threw in there with the bag.

There's a wood stove in the tent. Hope that will be warm enough?

 

[oneounceload]

Actually, you will stay warmer if your body heat can fill the sleeping bag - use that good insulating pad for UNDER the sleeping bag and a watch cap or similar for your head

 

[castingdonkey]

Ditto don't wear clothes inside of your bag or you will be colder than if you just stuck with underwear. Also keep the close you will wear in the bag with you. It sucks being chilli already and slipping into 5 degree clothes.

 

[BikerRN]

My advice: Get a warmer rated bag.

Being from FL 20 degrees will probably feel like -5 to you. That's a big difference when you're not used to it. I would rather have too warm of a bag than one not warm enough. With a bag that is too warm you can open the zipper part way to cool you down. Another option is to use a bivy sack and a liner. They will increase the warmth of your bag. I've gone so far as to put one sleeping bag inside another sleeping bag before.

BikerRN

 

[GJgo]

I agree, you'll want a warmer bag. My first year doing this I had a "20" degree bag w/ an open cell (self inflating) pad & I froze my hiney off. Not good when you're in it for a week & you're miles from the road. I've learned a recipe that's carryable & effective. I've woken up many times to ice on my bag and I'm good to go in the inside. I use a Marmot 0 deg mummy bag on top of an open cell pad on top of a closed cell pad. If you can only have one, use the closed cell pad. I take off my clothes & stuff them down in the foot of my bag at night, definitely don't wear them. I sleep in a set of long johns that are just for sleeping in, and I wear gloves & a heavy beanie that are also just for sleeping in. This works great for me.

The wall tent w/ the wood burning stove is great for when the fire is going, but after going to bed & the fire goes out it'll get down to ambient in a hurry at those temps...

 

[oneounceload]

If you can't get a warmer bag, one thing I found that worked really well was the quilted moving company blankets - they are heavy and do a great job of insulating items/people