Disabled Vet planning Archery Palisades Area 67 - 3 questions

[BracNSW]

New on the forum. I'm a disabled retired SEAL, slow, steady and still in good shape.

I plan on doing a 6 day solo archery elk/deer hunt in early Sept, focusing on the area between 4th of July Peak, Thompson Peak and Oliver Peak, south of Driggs/Victor.

Three questions:
1. Do I have a decent chance of spotting either deer or elk in that area?
2. Do I need to carry a sidearm (bear or wolves) in that area?
3. Does anyone know a pack/outfitter service I could contact to help with a pack out if I'm successful?

I'm 5 for 5 on deer in my local area (11% hunter success rate), so I'm fairly patient and good at spot and stalk.

 

[Jagerdad]

PM sent. Check your in box.

 

[huntjock]

I hunted there ONCE back around 2001 w/ my Idaho resident bro-in-law and his wife. ONCE was enough. It was new area to us and we were going on info from my bro-in-law's acquaintances from across the border in WY. We ran into some locals every morning who really knew what they were doing (i.e. successful). They had done extensive scouting and knew the animals and their patterns well. They also knew of bears close to where they were hunting. My sis-in-law saw 2 blonde wolves; I saw them as well, but having never seen any before that I thought they were big yotes. We didn't have sidearms.

After the archery hunt, I believe that tag turned into a spike/cow rifle tag - details are fuzzy now. But, I came up (6 hours from Utah) to meet my bro-in-law for that hunt. He had taken a spike right before I met him on the mountain, so our hunt was over.

During the archery hunt, we heard firearm shots that led us to what appeared to be a rather sophisticated poaching operation. I won't go into detail here. We got the heck out of that area never to return.

So,

1. We didn't really see any deer - just elk, predators and a few other hunters, and some possible poachers. We were not hunting deer or looking for them.
2. I would carry a sidearm.
3. Don't know any packout services

Good luck! And, thanks and God bless you for your service to our country!

 

[Elkduds]

Never hunted there, so nothing to add except GRATITUDE and RESPECT for your service and sacrifice. Your prey doesn't stand a chance.

 

[BracNSW]

Sounds like there is game there, just a matter of patience and scouting (which I won't have the benefit of). Also probably other hunters that might move deer/elk around if I'm patient.

I've run into Mt Lions rifle hunting and still didn't feel secure. So, not sure a handgun is anything but extra weight and a false sense of security. I've never carried one backpacking...

My faith in those who hunt is strong but there are always a few, so the poaching is disappointing but not too surprising.

Any suggestions on outfitters/pack services is still appreciated.

 

[Sherlock]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-29-16 AT 11:36AM (MST)[p]To save weight, when I bow hunt I carry a smaller-sized cannister of bear mace. It is light weight and is effective on bears, wolves, lions, and hippies.

Only ran into a bear once at 15 feet. In the shock of the moment, I forgot all about the mace and just yelled at the bear and it left. But when alone in the back country, having it does make me feel better. Guns are just way too heavy when trying to cut weight.

Oh...and btw...I read a great article in Bugle Magazine (REMF) a couple of years ago that conclusively demonstrated through years of data that bear mace is more effective then a gun. The fact that the mace is lighter weight is a great added bonus.

 

[BracNSW]

Hadn't thought of pepper spray. Ordered two on Amazon for less than $10. Wife will be camping in our 5th wheel and wanted one too.

 

[Wapitiwilly]

First of all thank you for your service!
If you are going to carry pepper spray. Make sure it is the large canister specifically for bears.
Awesome country with a few great critters.