Got a hunt off a lifetime today

[tree_ghost]

Well I can't brag on my employer enough right now…as a token of appreciation for our efforts they are sending me and 2 good friends, who are coworkers, on a fully furnished elk hunt next September! It is with Banded Peak Ranch Outfitters in Chromo Co. Their ranch encompasses the head waters of the Navajo River and from the pictures the views will be incredible! It will be a guided, early archery hunt. I've never been out west to hunt but I've always dreamed of it. I'm on cloud 9 right now. I'm very glad to have 1 year worth of prep time ahead of it. I have no experience with western hunting so I will take all advice you have to offer, especially when it comes to gear! Man this has been a freaking awesome week!!!!!!

 

[Grainger]

Well I can't brag on my employer enough right now…as a token of appreciation for our efforts they are sending me and 2 good friends, who are coworkers, on a fully furnished elk hunt next September! It is with Banded Peak Ranch Outfitters in Chromo Co. Their ranch encompasses the head waters of the Navajo River and from the pictures the views will be incredible! It will be a guided, early archery hunt. I've never been out west to hunt but I've always dreamed of it. I'm on cloud 9 right now. I'm very glad to have 1 year worth of prep time ahead of it. I have no experience with western hunting so I will take all advice you have to offer, especially when it comes to gear! Man this has been a freaking awesome week!!!!!!

Y'all hiring?

Congratulations on a reward that I'm sure was well earned!

 

[tellico4x4]

Well I can't brag on my employer enough right now…as a token of appreciation for our efforts they are sending me and 2 good friends, who are coworkers, on a fully furnished elk hunt next September! It is with Banded Peak Ranch Outfitters in Chromo Co. Their ranch encompasses the head waters of the Navajo River and from the pictures the views will be incredible! It will be a guided, early archery hunt. I've never been out west to hunt but I've always dreamed of it. I'm on cloud 9 right now. I'm very glad to have 1 year worth of prep time ahead of it. I have no experience with western hunting so I will take all advice you have to offer, especially when it comes to gear! Man this has been a freaking awesome week!!!!!!

Congrats! First of many trips for me was in1980. Your going on a guided hunt so 95% of the gear you already own is sufficient. Good pair of waterproof broken in boots and get your legs & lungs in shape, you'll be good.
Enjoy the trip but warning you, it is addicting!

 

[waynesworld]

LOL that is great I would guess you all will def keep working there at least for a year Some companies get this others just look at the bottom line. But to not only know what your people like to do but give that as bonus is great.

 

[tree_ghost]

LOL that is great I would guess you all will def keep working there at least for a year Some companies get this others just look at the bottom line. But to not only know what your people like to do but give that as bonus is great.

In a world that's so fast paced and self centered it's dadgum nice to feel appreciated! Not that I'm the kind of guy that needs a pat on the back but that's what makes it even better for me that I didn't have to ask for it. It lets me know my superiors are in tune with what we deal with in the field as well as our hobbies outside of the workplace. This company has sealed my loyalty with them through that appreciation, it's not about money for me, but a genuinely kind gesture!

 

[Knothead]

Congrats, tree ghost. That's awesome. Wish I could fall in to such a nice reward. I'm sure it's well deserved!

 

[Nimrod777]

Wow, unreal! Hope to share your hunt vicariously, so please plan on writing up a good report!

 

[DoubleRidge]

Awesome! Congrats! Work on lungs and legs... nothing like being out west.... amazing country.

 

[Antler Daddy]

That is one way to retain 3 employees for a year.

 

[Joe2Kool]

Awesome! Congrats! Work on lungs and legs... nothing like being out west.... amazing country.

If you run marathons in your spare time, ignore this. If you don't, heed this advice. The better shape you're in, the better hunt you'll have. And whatever shape you're in, elevation will knock you down a notch!

Also, practice at 50 yards or more. Not that you will take that shot, but it will make a 30 a gimme.

Good luck and post pics!!

I think I'll see if my boss will pay for my next hunt!!

 

[JCDEERMAN]

That's awesome! Never hunted southern CO. We always hunt the northern parts. I'm leaving in 2 weeks. Be in shape and depending on your elevation, the oxygen will definitely bite. Practice long range. You have plenty of time

 

[backyardtndeer]

That is great. Congratulations. Sounds like a great employer. Only been out west to hunt once. Hunted an area of Wyoming that we saw more elk than mule deer. We were after mule deer and antelope though.

 

[tree_ghost]

That's awesome! Never hunted southern CO. We always hunt the northern parts. I'm leaving in 2 weeks. Be in shape and depending on your elevation, the oxygen will definitely bite. Practice long range. You have plenty of time

Looks like 9-11k feet elevation. About the same that my wife grew up in the western slopes of Colorado. I've been there several times hiking but hunting is another game all together!

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Looks like 9-11k feet elevation. About the same that my wife grew up in the western slopes of Colorado. I've been there several times hiking but hunting is another game all together!

We will be right at 10k feet. I've really ramped up my training the last several weeks. Prepare to be addicted!

 

[tree_ghost]

We will be right at 10k feet. I've really ramped up my training the last several weeks. Prepare to be addicted!

I'm gonna start running with a 60lb pack on my back daily. I am doing the 10 mile Spartan race in October. That will be my 5th one. I'm in good shape but elevation can really mess with a flat lander lol

 

[JCDEERMAN]

I'm gonna start running with a 60lb pack on my back daily. I am doing the 10 mile Spartan race in October. That will be my 5th one. I'm in good shape but elevation can really mess with a flat lander lol

HA absolutely. One of the first times I went out there, I tried to run and cut off a group of muleys. I sprinted about 100 yards and about fell over. I was dizzy, nauseous and sounded like a beaten hyena .

 

[Madbowh]

Well I can't brag on my employer enough right now…as a token of appreciation for our efforts they are sending me and 2 good friends, who are coworkers, on a fully furnished elk hunt next September! It is with Banded Peak Ranch Outfitters in Chromo Co. Their ranch encompasses the head waters of the Navajo River and from the pictures the views will be incredible! It will be a guided, early archery hunt. I've never been out west to hunt but I've always dreamed of it. I'm on cloud 9 right now. I'm very glad to have 1 year worth of prep time ahead of it. I have no experience with western hunting so I will take all advice you have to offer, especially when it comes to gear! Man this has been a freaking awesome week!!!!!!

You hiring,

 

[Pic IN the Casa]

Very nice. Congrats

 

[Madbowh]

Best of luck to you, I hope you get one from what I've heard hunting elk out there is top notch. I would love to be drawn here in tn but out there is where it is at

 

[AT Hiker]

I'm gonna start running with a 60lb pack on my back daily. I am doing the 10 mile Spartan race in October. That will be my 5th one. I'm in good shape but elevation can really mess with a flat lander lol

Congrats on being rewarded for your hard work! Im beyond jealous. I once got a pen, with the agencies name on it

A daily run with a 60lb pack sounds like a sure way to ruin your future elk hunt. Ive hunted/backpacked out West for a solid decade and not once can I ever remember running with a 60lb pack.

If your lung capacity is solid and your baseline fitness is above average, then the only thing IMO to combat elevation is time and hydration. Take your time, acclimate and drink plenty of fluids. Ive hit a few 12-14k peaks before and everyone one of them has been tough, you simply don't have enough air to suck. But, I took my time and allowed a couple days to acclimate before I "pushed" it.
Just last month we were in WY at 10k, my wife had a horrible elevation headache for the first day. First time its ever hit her, you just never know.

60lbs on your back is A LOT, especially with a subpar pack. I have a quality pack and Ive loaded it down a few times, North of 70lbs, and it sucks. Im normally below 50lbs packing in for overnight hunts/trips.

Whatever you do make sure to keep us in the loop. I love these adventures!