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OTC Bull Elk, Public Land, CO 2nd Rifle Season 2017 – My Story
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<blockquote data-quote="LoneStar308" data-source="post: 1381719" data-attributes="member: 104048"><p>Got 'em loaded up quick. The walk out takes 53 minutes, little over 2 miles. I carry the rack on my neck and just have a blasty-blast good time getting through the oak brush. It was about 7:30a when we spotted them, 9:30 when I shot him and 1:30p when we got back to the cabin. Our Pittsburg buddies got one too! No ****! 3 out of 4 is great! They were planning on still hunting in the evening. They found a meat processor that would have it done in the morning for an expedite fee. I'd much rather drink and relax than spend the afternoon de-boning (plus all the extra processing at home). We ran up to the processor. </p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]87171[/ATTACH] </p><p>Look hard, there's 3 different racks in there. Front is buddy's, middle is Pittsburg's, back is mine.</p><p></p><p>That was about it. Back to the cabin for some celebratory cold beverages. Sat in the hot tub for the first time that week – not sure why I wasn't doing that every night. Got all packed and ready to leave in the morning. Did some pizza that night; no one felt like cooking anymore.</p><p></p><p>Lessons learned:</p><p></p><p>1. Pack weight. I suppose I've been preparing for a backpack hunt for all these years and I wanted to feel like I was going on one. We only went out for 3-4 hours at a time. You don't need a gallon of water, extra drawers and redundant everything in your backpack for ½-day hunts! I got it down to 1.5 liters of water, 1 extra jacket, and just the essentials in the backpack – knife, flashlight, headlamp, couple snacks, etc. Hell, that first morning I had breakfast, lunch, and dinner in there – don't know why. You don't need a $500 pack either – I don't know, maybe they would hold up better to packing out 100#, but whatever, only needed a daypack for this style hunt. My Kelty typically retails for between $99-$125 on Amazon. I always put stuff in my wish list and watch if for a year. It dropped to $62 at one point and I snagged it up. I am a backpack whore. I have a couple internal frame hiking packs, and a couple external frame packs. This one is one of the most comfy, and offers good utility.</p><p></p><p>2. Dialing the range on your scope. Look, it's what all the bad@sses do on youtube, and typically I like to do it at the range, but realistically under 300 yards it is silly. Now, I had a much better scope that I intended to use for this trip, but a last-minute change (2 weeks before hunt) to the 6.5CM rifle left me with a crappy scope since I didn't want to break apart my other rifle. KISS – keep it simple stupid.</p><p></p><p>3. Clothing. I spent a bit of money on rain gear and didn't end up needing/using it. But that's something I'd rather have and not need than need and not have. I'm a frugal guy, more so than most. All I have to say is, wait for sales. Kuiu has big black Friday sales, July 4 sales, and stuff on outlet clearance throughout the year. I was super impressed with the quality (as was my buddy whom bought it on my recommendation). I don't feel you need all the $80 gloves and $40 hats to go with it though. There's nothing wrong with mixing & matching patterns from different brands. The only camo I use in TX is either cotton or waterfowl print – neither good for the mountains.</p><p></p><p>4. Since we are on clothing – polyester drawers. Wow! I don't know why I've never had these before; always had cotton. We all know cotton kills when it's cold out, so I purchased some of these and don't know how I'll ever go back. Great moisture wicking abilities, love 'em.</p><p></p><p>5. Online apps – GoHunt Insider and OnXmaps. So, this year and last year GoHunt ran a free month around Aug/Sept. I think the code was "Randy" for Randy Newberg of On Your Own Adventures. I went in there and got all the info I needed, and then decided not to pay for the year. No harm no foul. I did that last year, and again this year. I can see the benefit if you are applying to a ton of tags every year, but it just isn't something that I have the use for. OnXmaps – I don't have it, but I could definitely see where the benefit would be. I have a freebie CO topo map from GPSdepot from 2011 that seems to have mostly correct property lines still. But that's something that you would definitely benefit from if going on your own – I had the guide to rely on, so I didn't feel the need for it.</p><p></p><p>6. Boots. Like the tires on your car, that's the only thing between you and the land. If you're not going to some extreme rock cliffs or wicked snow, don't overlook regular hiking boots. There are some superior brands better than the hunting specific stuff sometimes. Expect to spend at least $200 and get yourself something good that you can try on first and have proper time to break in (if required). I ended up with some Cabela Meindls on sale for $175, normally $220.</p><p></p><p>7. Dinners at camp – might not be as easy if you are tent camping. We each made a dinner at home and froze it before making the trip. Had some great, hearty, home cooked meals every night that only needed to be heated up. I made a baked mac 'n cheese with a pound of bacon and pound of sausage. Buddy made probably 5-quarts of Scimitar chili. Pittsburg guys made dumplings (chicken? can't remember) and big pot pies. Great idea and highly recommended!</p><p></p><p>8. Conditioning. Guide said if we could walk/hike 10 miles with no pack we should be good. I'll be honest and say I definitely should have done more. I work on the 7th floor in an office building and never take the elevator. Usually go up the stairs 3x per day, sometimes 4. I would walk 2 miles everyday on my lunch hour, and then another 1 mile either in the morning or afternoon. I went on a couple runs, only 3 miles, when we were closer to the trip. My buddy and I went on a couple 6-7 mile hikes with full packs. We should have been doing that for at least 10 weeks leading up to the trip. Outside of walking, I only do some pushups, pull-ups, squats, sit-ups, planks, etc., and lots and lots of stretching. Put the kiddo on the shoulders, she's about 33 lbs, and do squats that way – she LOVES it! I don't believe in gym memberships, you can do everything at home. Swing the axe/chop some firewood, stand on 1 leg and shake a gallon paint can over your head, whatever. If you think you are ready, do some more!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="LoneStar308, post: 1381719, member: 104048"] Got ‘em loaded up quick. The walk out takes 53 minutes, little over 2 miles. I carry the rack on my neck and just have a blasty-blast good time getting through the oak brush. It was about 7:30a when we spotted them, 9:30 when I shot him and 1:30p when we got back to the cabin. Our Pittsburg buddies got one too! No ****! 3 out of 4 is great! They were planning on still hunting in the evening. They found a meat processor that would have it done in the morning for an expedite fee. I’d much rather drink and relax than spend the afternoon de-boning (plus all the extra processing at home). We ran up to the processor. [ATTACH=full]87171[/ATTACH] Look hard, there’s 3 different racks in there. Front is buddy’s, middle is Pittsburg’s, back is mine. That was about it. Back to the cabin for some celebratory cold beverages. Sat in the hot tub for the first time that week – not sure why I wasn’t doing that every night. Got all packed and ready to leave in the morning. Did some pizza that night; no one felt like cooking anymore. Lessons learned: 1. Pack weight. I suppose I’ve been preparing for a backpack hunt for all these years and I wanted to feel like I was going on one. We only went out for 3-4 hours at a time. You don’t need a gallon of water, extra drawers and redundant everything in your backpack for ½-day hunts! I got it down to 1.5 liters of water, 1 extra jacket, and just the essentials in the backpack – knife, flashlight, headlamp, couple snacks, etc. Hell, that first morning I had breakfast, lunch, and dinner in there – don’t know why. You don’t need a $500 pack either – I don’t know, maybe they would hold up better to packing out 100#, but whatever, only needed a daypack for this style hunt. My Kelty typically retails for between $99-$125 on Amazon. I always put stuff in my wish list and watch if for a year. It dropped to $62 at one point and I snagged it up. I am a backpack whore. I have a couple internal frame hiking packs, and a couple external frame packs. This one is one of the most comfy, and offers good utility. 2. Dialing the range on your scope. Look, it’s what all the bad@sses do on youtube, and typically I like to do it at the range, but realistically under 300 yards it is silly. Now, I had a much better scope that I intended to use for this trip, but a last-minute change (2 weeks before hunt) to the 6.5CM rifle left me with a crappy scope since I didn’t want to break apart my other rifle. KISS – keep it simple stupid. 3. Clothing. I spent a bit of money on rain gear and didn’t end up needing/using it. But that’s something I’d rather have and not need than need and not have. I’m a frugal guy, more so than most. All I have to say is, wait for sales. Kuiu has big black Friday sales, July 4 sales, and stuff on outlet clearance throughout the year. I was super impressed with the quality (as was my buddy whom bought it on my recommendation). I don’t feel you need all the $80 gloves and $40 hats to go with it though. There’s nothing wrong with mixing & matching patterns from different brands. The only camo I use in TX is either cotton or waterfowl print – neither good for the mountains. 4. Since we are on clothing – polyester drawers. Wow! I don’t know why I’ve never had these before; always had cotton. We all know cotton kills when it’s cold out, so I purchased some of these and don’t know how I’ll ever go back. Great moisture wicking abilities, love ‘em. 5. Online apps – GoHunt Insider and OnXmaps. So, this year and last year GoHunt ran a free month around Aug/Sept. I think the code was “Randy” for Randy Newberg of On Your Own Adventures. I went in there and got all the info I needed, and then decided not to pay for the year. No harm no foul. I did that last year, and again this year. I can see the benefit if you are applying to a ton of tags every year, but it just isn’t something that I have the use for. OnXmaps – I don’t have it, but I could definitely see where the benefit would be. I have a freebie CO topo map from GPSdepot from 2011 that seems to have mostly correct property lines still. But that’s something that you would definitely benefit from if going on your own – I had the guide to rely on, so I didn’t feel the need for it. 6. Boots. Like the tires on your car, that’s the only thing between you and the land. If you’re not going to some extreme rock cliffs or wicked snow, don’t overlook regular hiking boots. There are some superior brands better than the hunting specific stuff sometimes. Expect to spend at least $200 and get yourself something good that you can try on first and have proper time to break in (if required). I ended up with some Cabela Meindls on sale for $175, normally $220. 7. Dinners at camp – might not be as easy if you are tent camping. We each made a dinner at home and froze it before making the trip. Had some great, hearty, home cooked meals every night that only needed to be heated up. I made a baked mac ’n cheese with a pound of bacon and pound of sausage. Buddy made probably 5-quarts of Scimitar chili. Pittsburg guys made dumplings (chicken? can’t remember) and big pot pies. Great idea and highly recommended! 8. Conditioning. Guide said if we could walk/hike 10 miles with no pack we should be good. I’ll be honest and say I definitely should have done more. I work on the 7th floor in an office building and never take the elevator. Usually go up the stairs 3x per day, sometimes 4. I would walk 2 miles everyday on my lunch hour, and then another 1 mile either in the morning or afternoon. I went on a couple runs, only 3 miles, when we were closer to the trip. My buddy and I went on a couple 6-7 mile hikes with full packs. We should have been doing that for at least 10 weeks leading up to the trip. Outside of walking, I only do some pushups, pull-ups, squats, sit-ups, planks, etc., and lots and lots of stretching. Put the kiddo on the shoulders, she’s about 33 lbs, and do squats that way – she LOVES it! I don’t believe in gym memberships, you can do everything at home. Swing the axe/chop some firewood, stand on 1 leg and shake a gallon paint can over your head, whatever. If you think you are ready, do some more! [/QUOTE]
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OTC Bull Elk, Public Land, CO 2nd Rifle Season 2017 – My Story
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