Well, like with any reasoning, there were several factors. Foremost was we were only 40-something at the time and still "indestructible", second, we were in a remote corner of the ranch and all those guys were scattered in other places trying to find mule deer. Our rancher friend thought the three of us could get the job done when we started, and had he gotten the truck up to the top, maybe we could have. Then stubbornness kicked in. Silly ideas always have roots in what seemed reasonable at the time.
How far out will you kill an elk by yourself?
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jbur13
Well-Known Member
I shot a cow last year in late muzzle loader season. It started out with a foot of snow on the ground and made for easy stalking. I shot her a mile from the truck around noon. When I shot it, it was snowing real good and then turned to rain as I began to dress it out on the side of the hill. Raining Hard! A foot of snow turned slushy in about half an hour. I figured I'd make a couple trips so on the first trip, I stuffed both front quarters in my back pack and walked to the truck. No big deal but I was already soaked to the bone and my fingers were numb.
I grabbed a sled out of the truck and headed back to get the rear quarters, backstraps and the stuff out of my back pack that I left from the first trip.
It actually took longer to pull the sled up hill through the brush than it would have if I made two more trips. I was so cold at this time, and knew I couldn't stop moving or I'd be in trouble. Oh yeah, pitch black now and I broke my headlight housing and the batteries disappeared in the rainy slushy darkness. I got back to the truck around seven at night and by this time, half way hypothermic or more. I was shaking so hard it was hard to drive.
I'm in my late 50's and in excellent shape, but this extreme weather swing took it out of me. Would I do it again? I thought It's only a mile from the truck, no big deal... Yes it is a big deal, and the weather is your worst enemy. Enemy #1. You hear of people out hiking or doing whatever recreation sport and they get lost or hurt and die. Or whatever happens, like being soaking wet, hypothermic and break a foot or something. It could happen, and it could kill you, and has killed in lessor situations. I'm not being a ****y here, and I'm just saying this to keep you thinking and make sure you are prepared for all weather conditions. I had 3 pairs of gloves and a down jacket in my backpack. Well the rain soaked all the way through the backpack and everything was drenched. I now have a super light dry bag that all my extra clothing goes into. All of my safety gear is going in a dry bag this year also and I'm sure I'll make other changes before the next trip out. Heck yeah I'll do it again!
I grabbed a sled out of the truck and headed back to get the rear quarters, backstraps and the stuff out of my back pack that I left from the first trip.
It actually took longer to pull the sled up hill through the brush than it would have if I made two more trips. I was so cold at this time, and knew I couldn't stop moving or I'd be in trouble. Oh yeah, pitch black now and I broke my headlight housing and the batteries disappeared in the rainy slushy darkness. I got back to the truck around seven at night and by this time, half way hypothermic or more. I was shaking so hard it was hard to drive.
I'm in my late 50's and in excellent shape, but this extreme weather swing took it out of me. Would I do it again? I thought It's only a mile from the truck, no big deal... Yes it is a big deal, and the weather is your worst enemy. Enemy #1. You hear of people out hiking or doing whatever recreation sport and they get lost or hurt and die. Or whatever happens, like being soaking wet, hypothermic and break a foot or something. It could happen, and it could kill you, and has killed in lessor situations. I'm not being a ****y here, and I'm just saying this to keep you thinking and make sure you are prepared for all weather conditions. I had 3 pairs of gloves and a down jacket in my backpack. Well the rain soaked all the way through the backpack and everything was drenched. I now have a super light dry bag that all my extra clothing goes into. All of my safety gear is going in a dry bag this year also and I'm sure I'll make other changes before the next trip out. Heck yeah I'll do it again!
But, you'll always have the experience, story....something to smile about in the old geezer home while all others play Bingo, no one else will understand.
Stokesrjsr
Well-Known Member
I'll be 70 years old next month and I hunt a wilderness area in Arizona mostly archery and mostly bulls. I've hunted this area for 44 years now and in that time I've killed one bull with a rifle, 17 bulls with a bow, compound, recurve, and longbow, and 4 cows with bow. Some have been close to a road, most were not. Many were around 4 miles, and many were when I was by myself.
Over time I just learned to use a light weight tarp and good game bags to quarter and then bone out the meat. I usually take o e load that I can comfortably pack, let's say 65 lbs and hang the rest in trees. It may take me 3 or 4 trips and some times more than a day but I can still get it done.
My method of hunting cows, which is mostly what I do now due to tag availability and my waining years remaining to draw tags, usually results in me killing big mature cows. And I do think about how to get them closer to roads, but in the end, I do whatever it takes.
Over time I just learned to use a light weight tarp and good game bags to quarter and then bone out the meat. I usually take o e load that I can comfortably pack, let's say 65 lbs and hang the rest in trees. It may take me 3 or 4 trips and some times more than a day but I can still get it done.
My method of hunting cows, which is mostly what I do now due to tag availability and my waining years remaining to draw tags, usually results in me killing big mature cows. And I do think about how to get them closer to roads, but in the end, I do whatever it takes.
"Seemed like a good idea at the time" ranks 2nd only behind "Here, hold my beer and watch this." At my age...3/4 century last December...."Been there, done that" comin' on strong on the outside with full head of steam in third. With "zero adult supervision in my life" for 23 years, "FAFO" in a dead heat with "Don't know how to act my age, I've never been this old before" had an inside line. But, "Been there, done that" breakin' way for "Not worth the jail time" have somewhat mitigated life long bad, but smile banking, decisions.
YMMV, I hope not. Gonna' die with a smile the undertaker won't be able to wipe off.
fta0303
Well-Known Member
bu if you're in grizzly country, it's best to have two hunters who stay together.
thomasbangs
Well-Known Member
Amen to that. I call that hunting smart.
I'll do 3-4 miles but it really depends on terrain. Rolling flat desert I'll go 3-4. Parachute drop canyons on the Colorado plateau or Wyoming death drops, a mile is enough to make a grown man cry. Especially on the 3rd trip.
Getting old sucks, but it beats the alternative. Sounds like you're getting wiser too!
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I avoid even going where I can't pack it out. Avoid heartbreak! ...or "bone-break". I don't go to strip clubs anymore, either...same reasons!
That kind of snow is so miserable to hike in let alone pack one out. Kudos
Two years ago my 62 year old wife shot a raghorn on opening day of Idaho's rifle season. Mostly level terrain, and a little over a mile behind the gate, which is about as good as it gets for public access elk hunting in the Idaho panhandle. The problem was that it was unseasonably hot under a bright sun. We hiked back to the gate to get the game cart out of the truck. The temps were in the mid 70s and it was only 10 am. I walked to a nearby farmhouse and asked the lady if she had a teenage son. As luck would have it, there was a lanky 17 year old sitting on the couch. He agreed to lend a hand. With both of us pushing on the game cart, we had both halves of that bull loaded into the back of my truck in about an hour, although I admit we were both sweating and breathing heavy by that time. I handed the kid $100 for his troubles and he was all smiles. As we drove home to hang the bull in our meat cooler, my wife took the words out of my mouth when she said, "That was the best $100 we ever spent".
GonzoK34
Well-Known Member
Now at 78, my last was 2 years ago. we were several miles in from the truck. Had my Son and a friend. We located a herd 3 miles on a distant mountain slope. Son and I, hiked across a ridge line and circled above the herd. They had moved downslope a quarter mile. Took my son and I over an hour to close the distance. About 800 yds we split up, he circled above them while I snuck down into an old burn and used the downfalls and new growth to sneak into a pocket across the ravine below the elk. At an angle uphill and 475 yds away I located a mature cow feeding. I made a few calculations and dailed for a 450 yd uphill shot. Custom 7-08 shooting 140 gr Barnes TTSX. Point of Aim/Point of Impsct front of shoulder into the neck. Instant DRT. My Son heard the shot/impact! Yelled is your cow down? My responds was come down and help me drag her down to the hiking trail below us and then go get the "Jet Sled"! We took photos first. later with the cow quartered and in the sled, it took us 5 hours to get her down to a 4x4 track. On that trip we harvested 2 Cows and a 5x5 Bull. Never give up, be prepared, have a plan, team work! Shoot Often, training for the worse weather, and Help Each Other!
340 in Va
Well-Known Member
For the last 20 year it was shoot them where you saw them and then worry about getting it out. Now at 68 things have changed. The question is why hunt somewhere your not going to shoot?
