Author Topic: First Elk Hunt  (Read 1034 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline rednekhuntr

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 39
First Elk Hunt
« on: June 23, 2010, 10:24:51 AM »
Looks like I'm going to get to go o my first Elk hunt in Alberta.  Supposed to be about a 2 hour drive north of Grand Prarie.  I'm pretty pumped, probably bring my 300 win mag, and my .308 for just in case (had a bad experience moose hunting once where I broke my stock and was stuck without a rifle).
Any advice on what to expect?  I've been hunting in Ontario for about 20 years, so please no "bring a compass, and extra socks" replies, lol.

Offline Empty Quiver

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2847
Re: First Elk Hunt
« Reply #1 on: June 23, 2010, 11:07:37 AM »
Not real sure about your location. Altitude cannot be replicated, but work on increasing your wind. It seems everything is uphill in elk country, so long walks around the flat land are not the same as a short walk around a mountain. Absolutely the best thing I learned is to forget your notions of how fast you can get from place to place.

I would have a talk with your physician,  I took something to prevent altitude sickness, it was very cheap $4 for twenty days worth I think. From what I remember it comes on sorta like pneumonia. The body will naturally dehydrate as a response to altitude.  Drove out to Co. with four guys we were stopping constantly to hit the head, on the way back each of us were thirsty and rarely needed to stop. The point of all this is bring plenty to drink both at camp and on the trail.

Bring a good LED flashlight, they don't eat batteries. I always have cordage with, but a real rope available is a good thing. We had to pull a cow out of a wallow she died in. Matches and lighters in camp, no one smoked and we were nearly screwed by week end.  A good First Aid kit, we dealt with a scratched cornea and very nearly could have ruined a hunt. The kit was provided by outfitter and did happen to have ointment for that, never crossed any of our minds in what we packed. Eyeglass repair kit / spare, luckily our problem occurred on trip out near Denver, easy fix for a pro.

I just included the main things that surprised me on my hunt. I've been at this about 30yrs, but always flat land and usually close to town or home every night. I'm assuming you are in Ontario and know all the laws and peculiarities of Canada  vs. US laws.

#1 thing I can tell you is this:  Take the scope cover off as you leave camp. The elk didn't get the notice we moved in that night and were                     still in the neighborhood!
#2 thing I can tell you is this:  Filling and attaching the magazine does not load the chamber, even if legal shooting light has finally arrived.
**Concealed Carry...Because when seconds count help is only minutes away**

Offline rednekhuntr

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 39
Re: First Elk Hunt
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2010, 11:50:04 AM »
Thank you very much for the tips.  I'll definately look into the altitude sickness meds, and increase my cardio at the gym.  I had no idea that dehydration could be a factor.  Thanks again