I have the gun and I have the opportunity, What do I need to have to hunt Elk. Most likely It will be a solo hunt. I just have never hunted anything that big before. I question my "deer tools" to do the job. What do you do to protect it at night.

longwalker

A great deal depends on where you will be hunting and when.

Since the weather is unpredictable, and since I’ve needed it many times, a reliable 4x4 truck with chains for all four is a good starting place.

We often freeze in the morning and sweat in the afternoon. I carry a pack with enough empty space that when I start removing layers of clothes I can put them in the pack – or at least tie them on the outside.

Lots of water. I start each morning with 2 liters. Also food. We are often gone for the entire day. I can’t tell you how many times I have urged a fellow hunter to carry more and been assured they had enough – only to have them begging for my water and food by day’s end. I typically carry a bagel, apple, Snickers, PBJ sandwich and sandwich meat sandwich.

Water purification tablets – no point getting giardia. Just figure that ALL the mountain streams will give it to you.

A Space Blanket. Extra socks and gloves. Flashlight. Rope (I tend to carry parachute cord to hang quarters with). GPS. Range Finder. FRS radio. Extra batteries. Maps. Compass. Whistle. Two knives and a sharpener. Lightweight rain gear. A large plastic trash bag (makes acceptable rain gear and shelter and keeps the backstraps clean, too).

In the truck I carry a come-along, shovel, and extra fuel and water, along with extra clothing and often a sleeping bag.

High quality game bags need to be available – I don’t recommend the cheesecloth kind as all they do is help remove debris that gets stuck to the carcass, don’t help at all with the flies if there are any. I have a whole list I check eah year but those items are off the top of my head.

Don’t forget the camera and film.

Coyote

Aside from the chains for the truck, I carry just about the same things you described. I would not have thought about the come-along. But I can see the wisdom of having such a tool.

Thanks,

Longwalker

if you are going solo you will want a pack saw or hatchet. Not for wood, to quarter the elk with. Most times you are not lucky enough to get one next to the truck. Since elk weigh between 500 and 800 pounds, you will need to debone it and pack the meat out, figure about 200 pounds of meat total, or quarter the elk, about 100 to 125 pounds per quarter.

Depnends a lot on where you are hunting. In Wyoming, the Big Horn Mountains do not have Grizzly Bears, neither do the plains herds in the Powder River area or the Black Hills.
Anywhere else you will need to hang the elk at least 15 to 20 feet high on a pole secured between two trees, with the rope holding the elk tied to a different tree at least 10 to 15 feet up. You will want to wash yourself off VERY well and store any bloody clothes with the meat. Keep in mind that a lot of Grizzlies know that a rifle shot means dinner, so don't camp near the kill site or the meat.
If you gave a better idea of when and where you are hunting it would be helpful.

Sage advice regarding the camp. I would most likely hunt the Black Hills.

longwalker

The Black Hills don't have any Grizzly Bears, so you are safe there. They do seem to have a lot of Mountain Lions, so still keep an eye out. The Black Hills can be tricky to hunt, if there hasn't been any moisture yet, the ground and grass wil crackle when you walk. If there has been moisture, it will be slick and cool to downright cold. On average the temperature will be very low in the AM and can warm 30 degrees or more by afternoon. So be sure to layer up and keep enough space in your pack for your stripped layers. Plenty of water and a GPS and topo map/compas are essential. I would be prepared for shots under 200 yards. A cow/calf call is good to have along, as you can stop cows or bulls with it and get the time to take a shot.

One of the most important things for a guy my age and size - a good set of legs and a spotting scope. I like to pack in a few miles back, but even when I have pulled off the road and tucked in close, being in some assemblance of shape is a must for elk hunting in my mind. It is so easy to keep walking or hiking back in, if you get one down, you don't want to kill yourself getting it out. I always hunt with friends, but we soon part and hunt our own areas and meet at least once a day for safety. I always pack 3 very sharp knives in addition to my saw and hatchet. Elk fur is hollow and will dull a knife quickly. Keep in mind that my comments are geared around hiking in, boning it out in the field and packing it out by yourself. If you are packing it out, a sturdy frame pack is essential. I also take along some light duty nylon rope (parachute chord) and a couple 750lb rated pulleys to hold the elk in position while I bone it out. Good luck!

WileyWapiti wrote:

One of the most important things for a guy my age and size - a good set of legs and a spotting scope. I like to pack in a few miles back, but even when I have pulled off the road and tucked in close, being in some assemblance of shape is a must for elk hunting in my mind. It is so easy to keep walking or hiking back in, if you get one down, you don't want to kill yourself getting it out. I always hunt with friends, but we soon part and hunt our own areas and meet at least once a day for safety. I always pack 3 very sharp knives in addition to my saw and hatchet. Elk fur is hollow and will dull a knife quickly. Keep in mind that my comments are geared around hiking in, boning it out in the field and packing it out by yourself. If you are packing it out, a sturdy frame pack is essential. I also take along some light duty nylon rope (parachute chord) and a couple 750lb rated pulleys to hold the elk in position while I bone it out. Good luck!

Well Done Wiley, everyone seems to forget fitness, even myself.

Its not just the strength and health to walk in and out, but also the fitness and strength to hold your firearm steady for a good shot after a long walk.

Cheers, Vince

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Fenton wrote:

We all have a designer handbags particularly sentimental image of what it is to buy a luxury item like this - we picture that it will probably be properly cared for and yet also remain a showpiece in heavy rotation, but several of us secretly consider replica watches these items being handed down via the generations. The legacy of grandfather s observe is undoubtedly charming, but if it looks like a battered piece of tin with a cracked crystal, there isn t considerably to hand down, now is there.The replica IWC fake watch wrist watches are becoming one particular of the luxurious items in our life and we would always cherish it. You can find so many individuals who usually do not have the cash power to go for these chanel bags luxurious wrist watches though they have already been dreaming of having such an elegant check out for fairly a lengthy time. The replica IWC timepieces are regarded as the best alternatives rolex watches for those people who are in a dilemma. These wrist watches provide all the people the opportunity to brag an IWC Invicta duplicate on their wrists. Do just not be fooled by its name. Every way such as their appearence, feel and craftsmanship of bvlgari those originals admired watches resemble the unique goods to perfecti conditions. They are dictinct and are bound to fool even the look at connoisseur who've been nicely trained in regards to the unique coach bags timepieces. You can select from the large collection of IWC wrist watches which are offered in today's check out marketplace. If you are worried in regards to the time befitting capabilities of its beauty, you could possibly be ensured that the Reproduction IWC Tag Heuer breitling watches replica advance the aforementioned time as its needed namesake does.

Cheers, Vince

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rblain wrote:

OMG Designer handbags and replica watches. I wonder what caliber of rifle fenton hunts with?

I reckon he only handles one "gun".

So Vince, I have to ask what do you all hunt Down Under? Are you allowed to hunt without the Gov't gettin up your ass? Or do you have to have a license and follow a whole bunch of reg's like we do in Canada.

Id like to go hunting that plurry SPAMBOT......

rblain wrote:

So Vince, I have to ask what do you all hunt Down Under? Are you allowed to hunt without the Gov't gettin up your ass? Or do you have to have a license and follow a whole bunch of reg's like we do in Canada.

Mate...you guys think you have it bad...I think the Aussie Govt, both Federal and State, and the relevant Police Commissioners used the Canuckastanian Firearms Laws as a template then tried to improve them...IN THE GOVT's FAVOUR !!!

We have the most draconian firearms laws in the world, with the possible exception of the UK.

Best part is...here in Queensland, deer are considered feral, so there is no season, tags or bag limits on them...and we can also spotlight them for feral eradication...same with rabbits, foxes, feral cats, domestic dogs gone "wild", pigs, camels, donkeys, goats and buffaloes.

Australia has extremely unique wildlife...there has never been a "top of the food chain predator", with the possible exception of the thylacine called the Tasmanian Tiger (below), the last one of which died in 1936. Consequently, our wildlife has evolved very differently to animals in other parts of the world, and feral animals have been devastating to our native wildlife...especially the feral cats, foxes and pigs.

Anyways, what do I hunt...anything feral mate. I will tap a 'roo if necessary, or the property owner wants some dog meat, but apart from that I won't shoot native animals.

Cheers, Vince