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 .

 

[Rem7600]

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

 

[Rem7600]

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!

 

[tree_ghost]

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!

Good to know. Yeah I'm in good physical shape my thinking on the pack was to improve lung capacity. Maybe I should try jogging with one of those air breathing deals that limits your oxygen intake? I've been to high elevations several times hiking and it's never seemed to bother me but having a huge addrenaline dump from an encounter and then possibly having to make a move and really push myself is a completely different deal. I'm debating on what video/camera Equipment to bring to document my adventure. I don't want to stress myself out trying to self film but I am considering a stabilizer cam and probably my DSLR for still shots and video when not in pursuit of the elk. What do you think?

 

[tellico4x4]

AT nailed it!!!

Chapstick, nasal saline & lotion for split cuticles. Way dry out there.

I'd worry about filming & camera once you get one on the ground. Keep it simple, enjoy being there & the hunt.

 

[AT Hiker]

What helps me, not just elevation but any long distance hiking, is interval training. Of course some weight training of the core is extremely beneficial but I find for me I'd rather have optimal max V02 vs be overly strong.
Dont get me wrong, I feel like you need to be strong enough to load 70lbs+ on your back and get your gear/meat out through nasty terrain. But, I also feel it's more important to be able to push through fatigue and be at the top of your game when it's needed at the most unexpected time. Last thing I want to happen is not make it over the rise to take a shot because I'm tired or not be able to control my breathing after hoofing it up 1k' elevation gain in a 1/4mile climb.

Sounds like your in great shape, so maybe fine tune your cardio while keeping your strength up. Take your time to acclimate and drink plenty of fluids and you'll kill it.

As for documenting your hunt. I say take all the video and pics you can but I wouldn't let it interfere with your experience. Maybe take turns with your partner capturing each other in the environment. Those candid shots you take of each other seem to capture something special.

For example; my wife was chillin and reading a book on the other shore from me while I was throwing a fly for Brook trout in a Alpine lake last month. She took it upon herself to take a pic without me even knowing about it. I'm glad she did because I'm able to see the beauty of where we were and all the "selfies" we took or planned tripod shots just didn't capture the full moment.

 

[AT Hiker]

I was invited to tag along and help pack out meat for a premium WY high desert elk hunt this fall.
Im 5'10" 183lbs and turning 40 in October.
Ive been doing a solid 30 min stair climb routine at the gym a few days a week. I also alternate some heavy KBs into a HIIT routine couple days a week. I'll do 100 burpees for time, shooting to get back below 10min in the next few weeks, 2-3 times a month.
I'll also do a lite deadlift routine with push-ups and chinups, sub backsquats out for deadlifts ton random days and so some thrusters and seal man makers. All of them make me suck air and build my endurance.
Im strong enough to carry my fair share and im not committed enough to increase my capacity for what would equate to a small, but brutal aspect of the hunt. Could I be stronger, yes, it's just I feel endurance is what gets me through the day.
Plus, I want to do this crazy stuff till I die at a old age. So heart and lung health is my priority with average weight training I feel like that's what is best for me. sure, mark rippotoe could probably back squat an elk but I could probably get to one and kill it before he got done with his morning stretch!

Glad Poser ain't in here anymore, he would disagree with me…even though I can beat him up the mountain

 

[TNRAMBLINGMAN]

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!!!!!!

 

[TNRAMBLINGMAN]

Congrats! that is an outstanding location and hunt.

 

[Joe2Kool]

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

You'll be fine!!

 

[Joe2Kool]

I took a CO elk hunt in 2011. - 8-11,000 feet Talking to the outfitter in March before the hunt, he said the better shape I was in, the better off I'd be, I told him "I just ran a marathon, it's not getting any better." If you're running 10 mile Spartan races, you'll be fine! Elevation will have an impact, but probably not much. Good luck and post pics!

 

[elboe805]

Man that's awesome!

 

[kamml]

Great employer, and a great hunt. Wow!