DIY Horseback hunt

OldRookie · Feb 23, 2009

Question for the group..

A couple of friends and I are talking about doing a DIY horseback hunt..

We have horses (good ones!) Tack, camping gear etc...

Any of you all do your own thing and hunt off horse back?

do you camp up in the hills or trailer into an area and hunt each day?

Just looking for options, i've done one outfitted horseback hunt and absolutely loved it...

I think the key is to have a wrangler who will stay in camp and get things around and just basically keep the camp running smooth

And I think we have that option covered..

any thoughts?

thx
LH

completesportsman · Feb 23, 2009

See nickmans post...
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID12/10445.html

GO HEELS!

Califelkslayer · Feb 24, 2009

I've done both. Set the wall tent up @ the end of the road and use horses to get in further each day, load the horses and ride in as far as possible to set up a spike camp or load the horses and lead them in, use them for huntin/packin.

I use whichever method I think is more effective.

Some things to consider packin in. Food/water for stock is crucial. Does it take time daily, yes. I use hobbles and let them graze all night with a bell around their neck. I also pack in grain/pelletized food. After I turn them out, I put grain in each of their picket spots. When they are full they return for desert and I get up and picket them again. You can carry lots more than backpackin which makes camp more comfortable.

To me the biggest advantage of horses is when the elk is on the ground. Second biggest is getting to the elk before you kill em. Third is not worrying where you're gonna kill em. To me the advantages out weight the pain of dealin with horses.

My .02 cents.

OldRookie · Feb 24, 2009

thanks for the quick feedback guys

I like the thought of having a base camp close to the road and then having a spike camp in deeper for just spending one or two nights while hunting..

This could be a lot of fun, it will be a lot of hard work, but the horse back time will be worth the effort i think..

LH

Gator · Feb 24, 2009

I believe the care of the horses and mules is not hard, it don't take a 1/2 day to feed and water them if you pick the right place to camp,We use both bells and led lights on the stock and it works out great, Camp where there is grass and water, and ride to wherever you have to go.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

NDMuley · Mar 1, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Mar-01-09 AT 08:46AM (MST)[p]i use horses on most hunts if its in mountains. it depends on terrain an how far away u are from hunt area. what state u going to hunt? cost to get to area is something to think about shoes coggins health papers.it is worth it once u get one down. we set up camp an then spike in saves saddleing up horses in morning. we just get up an start hunting then.have rented horses once to see the cost difference. we have our own we like our own better. nothing wrong with renting horses. have run into some people who should never rent horses. didnt know how to bridle horse showed them also didne know how to saddle horse it was funny but sad for horses. what state u hunting in? maybe i can tell u something about area have hunted a few states over the years an not done yet. will quite hunting when im dead.lol good luck.ps need certified hay also.

jodog · Mar 3, 2009

When ever we can draw a tag we set up at a trailhead and hunt out of there every day but set up a spike camp if we want to but most times just ride back to the trailhead. We hunt hard but can go into town if we need to. If you leave camp an hour before daylight on horseback you can be a long ways in by daybreak.

Califelkslayer · Mar 3, 2009

Gator, LED idea sounds pretty good. Can you tell me exactly how you do it?? If you thought I meant it took 1/2 day to feed them, you misunderstood. I turn em out when I get back to camp, wake up when I hear the bells and hook em to the picket line. Thats if I'm packed in.

If I'm huntin from the trailhead. I feed an hour before we leave and as soon as we get back. In some instances where I'm making multiple trips to pack meat, I'll feed between trips and let em rest for an hour or so.

RENTAL HORSES: In Colorado some of my buddies rent every year. I usually have to help them briddle after I'm done. One year they got a horse we nicknamed "Bud" cause he looked like he'd come from a Budweisier commercial. Best damn horse!! Full draft. Same year they got a very onery all white gelding that'd try to bite any horse that got near him and would always wrap the lead around a tree, refused to follow the lead animal. After the first trip out with meat, I just turned Bud loose with Whitey tied to him. Bud dragged his sorry a$$ outta that canyon 3 times. Bud knew there was hay waiting for him. Whitey only went the wrong way around a tree once with Bud dragging his a$$. Kinda funny. Rentals eliminate dealin with horses on the road and with $5.00 diesel last year they'd almost pay for themselves BUT there is satisfaction and comfort being on your own animal.

OldRookie · Mar 7, 2009

Great info guys

just got back in from a long week on the road..

I plan to hunt CO this fall with any luck and will be putting it all together soon!

thanks
LH