whiteriver national forest

rolling_rock_123 · May 24, 2006

I am going on my first muledeer and elk hunt. I am going with friends bowhunting around the first of september. We are going to the whiteriver national forest near glennwood springs. I am from Georgia and have had no experience with this type of hunting. Any advice or tips that ya'll could give, to help me get prepared , would be greatly appreciated. I really don't know what to expect when I get there. thanks

theridge · May 24, 2006

Stop the fatty foods and get you soft arse in shape.

YukonDall · May 24, 2006

PACE YOURSELF, THE LAND IS OVER WHELMING. TAKE SOME MOLESKIN, GOOD GLASS, DRINK OFTEN, TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME,TAKE RAIN GEAR, TAKE MEDS ALONG, TAKE IN THE WHOLE TRIP, NOT JUST THE HUNT, GET IN SHAPE, BEWARE/ IF YOU KILL AN ELK/ THERE HUGE, IN SEPT. HAVE A PLAN TO COOL MEAT DOWN/ OR TRANSPORT QUICKLY. YOUR DEALING WITH HIGHER ALITUDES, GET IN SHAPE, PACE YOURSELF. YD. (DID I MENTION HAVE FUN).

cohntr6 · May 24, 2006

Take the 1st day nice and easy, let your body acclimate (as much as that is possible in such a short amount of time). Can you make it out here this summer to scout, hike, acclimate, etc?
Hopefully your friends have hunted out here before to show you the ropes.
Read some books, magazines of western hunting, exercise, check out maps, basically learn all you can from home and other resources and get mentally ready for a great HunT!
Jeff

FamilyMan · May 25, 2006

"The White River National Forest near Glenwood Springs" includes a whole lot of teritory. It's all beautiful though and you should have a great time if you have never before been to the Colorado rockies. Enjoy yourself, enjoy the views, enjoy the crisp mountain air in the mornings (by afternoon you will be hot (but its a dry heat)), enjoy the changing aspen and oak brush colors. Get up high early and glass - on your first trip feal successful if you even see an elk.

Mark

(I wish this site had a spell check)

JACKELOPE · May 25, 2006

I will tell you as a former east-coaster that there is no hunting out there that will compare physically with hunting out west so get in shape...walk up the biggest hills you can find as often as you can with a big heavy backpack on. I have no idea what the area is like you will be hunting, but judging everyone's responses, sounds pretty hard core. be physically prepared for some demanding hunting.

Chef · May 25, 2006

I've heard that swimming underwater prepares your body to perform with a lower amount of oxygen. I don't know if this is true but if it were, I would be doing plenty of it. I've worked out for months preparing for high country hunts and it's always the lack of oxygen at higher elevations that does me in. When you do work out, let your muscles burn. Get used to it, learn to enjoy it. Get mentally prepared to give it your all.

I agree, if you even see an elk, it was a successful trip. They should hopefully be bugling so that would make it easier.

Take in the scenery as Familyman stated before. It will be beautiful. Have fun just being there and you will have memories and campfire stories to last a lifetime.

Chef
"I Love Animals...They're Delicious!"

idabigbuck · May 25, 2006

You don't state your age, or level of physical fitness. But hit the treadmill, NOW!!!! And challenge yourself!!!!. Work up to the steepest incline you can handle, and then increase it!!! (Don't forget to quit smoking first, or you may die before your trip).

If your not already, begin shooting your bow every other day,(every day is better), at least thirty arrows per session.

Find a Elk hunting book by Dwight Schue (spelling?) and read it from cover to cover.

Get a good quality digital camera and learn how to use it! Memory's fade, but pictures are worth a thousand doses of ginsing.

Remember, any elk taken with a bow is a good elk.

Good luck and don't forget to post some pictures, we love pictures!!!

rolling_rock_123 · May 25, 2006

It sounds like I am going to have my work cut out for me. Thanks for all the replys.

Pointer · May 26, 2006

Some good advice here - the more you can get in shape and prepare, the more enjoyable your trip will be and the better your chance for success will be. Enjoy the whole trip, because it will certainly be a great adventure regardless of if you get an elk. I also second what Idabigbuck said - bring a camera and take lots of pictures. I love looking back through my pictures of trips I took chasing elk with my dad, and I am so glad I took a ton of photos. Wouldn't trade them for anything.
Pointer