Getting ready... what about it?

MichaelJ · Sep 5, 2007

Well I'm getting ready for my elk hunt... Season starts on Saturday but I won't be at it until next wednesday or thursday. We're taking in our two horses in about 4-5 miles and are staying at a really cool spot... Just curious if you guys have any tips for an Archery bull elk hunt using horses regarding gear and 'non typical' preparations that I need to make.

The food is the easy part, as is the tack (just taking in saddle bags and our sadles, hobbles, (need to pick up larger stirrups for my hunting boots, they're too wide)...etc
I plan on being prepared to spend 7-10 days there, yet this might require a trip down during a day to restock on food and what not.

Water is not an issue as there's a good stream nearby aswell as a lake. I've been practicing my calls 4-5 days a week for the last month and am getting pretty good and bugling and cowcalling. One problem I have though is the reed on my diaphragm calls can get saturated with saliva and sounds like crap after calling for a bit. Any tricks you guys got?

Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

slider · Sep 6, 2007

Michael, I've been scouting pretty hard!!! Branch Bulls have been by their selves? I herd the first Bugle last Monday!!! I,m headed back today!!! Good Luck

Rammu · Sep 6, 2007

Sometimes I feel like Im listening to my 5 year old ask what he should do next.. Babysitting Forum??

junior · Sep 6, 2007

when my call gets to that point...I trash em and buy new

WAstickslinger · Sep 6, 2007

Have you tried a mouth diaphram with just a bugle tube?

The reed type bugles get satuared and streched out pretty quick. They are eaiser to use though. Just carry a whole bunch of reeds and change em out often.

MichaelJ · Sep 6, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Sep-06-07 AT 02:54PM (MST)[p]>Sometimes I feel like Im listening
>to my 5 year old
>ask what he should do
>next.. Babysitting Forum??

Sounds like somebody needs a hug... dang man chill out. I've never hunted elk during the rut (shot a cow the one year I drew a cow tag 2 years ago), and this is only my 2nd year archery hunting. I've pretty much learned everything about hunting on my own and from the people here...

Okay this is the edited part of my message, I went over and read my original post and yes I can see where you're coming from with the smartass comment... I started this thread last night late just bored and thinking bout my elk hunt, so I figured I'd start a thread pretty much for the hell of it. I have everything I 'think' I need, I'm just not sure I have everything I 'really' need... should've clarified.

Also, I only use the diaphragm with the bugle type, I don't like the blue reeds, they seem to sounds unrealistic to me and I have more control with a diaphragm...

Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

FamilyMan · Sep 6, 2007

Michael,

Can't help you with any archery tips, but I do look forward to seeing pictures of the horses, camp, areas you hunted, and hopefully one huge dead elk. Good luck and give us all the details when you get back.

Mark

ktc · Sep 6, 2007

LAST EDITED ON Sep-06-07 AT 04:10PM (MST)[p]No worries Michael. Rammu seems to be the Senior Elk Correspondent around here.

Perhaps when you get back you can teach his greenhorn ass a thing or two about real elk hunting on a pack trip?;-)

TK · Sep 6, 2007

Don't forget to keep your food out of your tent. Are you packing in feed for your horses? Bring a solar shower or something for showers. When I pack in I stay for the duration unless it is so warm you gotta pack meat. Never had a problem with reed type calls unless you chew on like they were chewing tabaccy.
Good Luck to you. I am heading up next week as I think the best part of the archery season is the last week of the season.

MJRELKFREAK · Sep 6, 2007

JUST RUB BAR WAX OVER BOTH SIDES. REPELS THE MOISTURE. SIMPLE

MichaelJ · Sep 6, 2007

MJRELKFREAK, perfect that sounds like a great idea! Thanks!

TK, a sun shower is a good idea although we may just jump in the lake nearby! lol

ktc, ya I gathered that by his oh so helpful post! Should've seen what I wrote the first time but I figured I'd be the bigger man and not start an argument here...

FamilyMan, of pics there will be plenty! Hopefully I'll be able to haul along the video camera and maybe get some good footage!

Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

ICHABOD · Sep 6, 2007

Michael,
I always take 2 first aid kits when I pack in...one for me, and one for the horses. Seems the extra items that may be needed for horses are sometimes overlooked : extra shoes and nails, latigo or pieces of leather to make tack repairs, etc. Nothin ruins a 8 day pack trip like a horse that cant be rode after day one.
Steve

MichaelJ · Sep 6, 2007

ICHABOD, that's a great idea and no worries we will be doin this. However once we've ridden in, the horses will be used very little, and will mostly be staying back in camp until we knock something down. So they won't be ridden hard after that first day. Also if we get a bull down we'll be walking out and leading the horses as we don't want to stress them too much, that and it's all downhill mostly! haha

Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

MichaelJ · Sep 7, 2007

Also,
Because it will for the most part be just my Father and I, and he's not the greatest at calling... I got a hoochie mama for him to work on, but if I get in a situation where I end up being the caller/shooter, what kind of situation should I try to set myself up in? How do you guys differ your calling when you're by yourself vs. having someone 60-100 yards behind you? Thanks!

Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

ELKCHSR · Sep 7, 2007

Michael

Thr valve inside the "Hoochie Mama" sticks when it is real cold and sounds terrible if you don't let the valve reset. When alone keep yourself in the shadows and in front of small trees or stumps to break yorself up. Make yourself look as smal as possible. Only call enough to keep them interested. I just got back yesterday and saw 45 Elk in three days, two book 6X6's. they are not rutting yet. No bugling but they are gathering cow. All Elk seen were at 12,000 or higher. nothing like DIY horseback Elk hunting

Good luck
ELKCHSR

MichaelJ · Sep 8, 2007

ELKCHSR, where are you located... just curious but we'll be up around 7K feet.

Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

MichaelJ · Sep 11, 2007

Well here's my list... what do you think?

v TAGS
v Packs
v ELK CALLS
v Camera~
v Arrows
v Bow and string wax
v Space Blankets~
v First Aid Kit~ (horses and us)
v Cell Phone~
v Fire starting accessories~
v Handy Wipes*~
v Binoculars~
v Hunting Knives~
v Sharpening stone~
v Nylon Rope and Game bags~
v Glasses
v Water Bottles~ and Water Filter
v Compos
v Face Paint
Camp Supplies
v Water container (collapsible)
v Fishing Pole and RoosterTails mmmmm... cutthroat!
v Eating Utensils
v 2 Cups
v Jerky
v Camp Stove and Fuel (lots of fuel)
v Contact Solution and Case
v Alarm Clock
v Flash Light
v Lantern
v Topo Map
v Cooler
v Pan for cooking Fire Grille
v Towels, Soap, and shampoo
v Sun Shower
v Tent
v Tarp
v Sleeping Bags/Pads/Pillows
v Video Camera

Clothing
v Hats, and neck warmers
v Wool Sweaters
v Boots
v Wool Socks
v Cotton Socks
v White T-shirt
v Long Johns (Upper and Lower body)
v Hunting Pants (waterproof and bug suit)
v Hunting Jacket (river?s west and bug suit)
v Gloves
v Underwear
v Pants
v Over Shirts
Food
? Candy Bars
? Coffee
? Freeze Dried Food (enough for 5 days)
? Fish seasoning
? JERKY
? Power Bars
? Granola Bars
? Instant Oatmeal

Horse Tack
? Saddles
? Headstalls
? Halters
? Lead Ropes
? Hobbles
? Brushes
? Hoof Pick
? Saddle Bags
Pack Bags for the haul out

Anything I'm missing?

Michael
"What I could do, I was doing, and that was simply putting my butt on the line for my country, the country that I loved, so that all the protestors and the academics and the liberal intelligentsia back home could enjoy the right to protest against people like me, the hated middleclass." --Gary R. Smith, US Special Forces

Midnight2 · Sep 11, 2007

MichaelJ

All your missing is a jealous hunter wishing I was in your shoes.

Satelite Phone was one item I took into the deep ID wilderness. We spoke with an outfitter and he would pack out if we needed him to. The satelite phone was a good precautionery measure too.
Most cell phones are not going to do much good in the backcountry. Try looking for one on a google search and I'm sure you'll find one for a reasonable price that you can rent for the trip.

Worth every penney, in my opinion.

Bugle wise... It's real easy to go crazy with bugling. If your too much of a bad ass with the bugles, any smart herd bull may take his cows elsewhere. Eastman's has a video that illustrates this quite well. As far as bring that bull in for the shot, it seems the best luck is with a partner to pull the bull past the hunter. Make sure your downwind and the wind is in your favor... and have your caller behind you 75-100 yds or so.... so the bull has to get closer to see the elk. I think I know when they should be seeing another elk after a bugle or cow call... so when that bull hangs up... have your caller move around and keep going back or sideways. Elk don't just sit still and call and call and call... Act like an elk, be mobile and make different elk sounds and make them calm, soft sounds.

My brother in law and I had three different attempts with a bull until he finally got a shot off at 30 yards. The bull gave us the slip two times until we finally got him interested enought to come investigate.

Good luck.

I'm out to hunt Ut and AZ elk for next two weeks.

YES!

Midnight

Midnight

Good Luck.