My buddy told me his dad has 2 different gps units and will more than likely let me borrow it for the trip! Saves me a little money on something I won't use other than this trip. Now just need to buy some more arrows, binoculars, and whatever else I think of in the coming months! I'm looking at getting a pair of vortex binoculars. Everyone talks highly about them so I might pull the trigger on a pair. Just need to decide on which model. Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk
Definitely take a GPS, compasses and magnetic north gets messed up by the iron in the ground around the mountains..... that's why I got nickname of Radio Boy(cheers Will)!!! I have a wrist mounted Garmin Foretrex 401, works fab and is always accessible, instead of messing in pockets. I plan on hunting alone and will try a drop camp if things get quiet on the Elky front.
My experience is that we have cell service about 50% of the time. North facing slopes seem much better (guessing because facing Vail)...the higher altitude the better odds for signal, almost nothing down in valleys. At camp it's just enough signal for a text to get through, but you need to go up road some to make calls. With smartphones, your GPS on them will work without cell signal - its just some programs cannot update the map without signal. I read up on this some last year and was able to save/cache the aerial views I wanted so they were available offline. I then typically run my phone on airplane mode most of day, as battery will last all day that way. I only turn on periodically to check for texts. (I also don't want my work emails coming through all day) IMO, spotting scopes useless for me with the thick terrain I hunt in this area. Even binocs I have gotten to wear I don't even thing I carried them at all last year...above treeline I like to have them. Nice to have occasionally, but really not worth it once I realized I was rarely leaving the dark timber. On the plus side, having good binocs now I carry them every time I whitetail/stand hunt (never had good ones before), and I use them often and really enjoy looking a deer over good as they approach. If I was going to be picky about bulls I would always carry elk hunting...but I'm not
I put about 12 miles on the new boots and I'm LOVING them. They are so comfortable and my ankles feel great. I was mushroom hunting in some bluff areas with some steep hills and I really put them to the test. Glad I went with them. Not sore at all so I am in better shape than I thought. Gonna try and get a couple nice runs in this week. I am so excited for this opportunity. Thanks again Will for offering this! Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk
I did a little mushroom hunting myself yesterday with my new boots for the first time, man they r comfortable. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
What are you guys wearing for rain gear? This crap is expensive! I thought about going cheap on some Frogg Togg gear but I don't have any experience with it.
I got some great clearance priced stuff (with Christmas gift cards) from Cabelas my first year (Ultra Space rain gear - Cabelas brand)...great stuff. But in 4 years, I have put the jacket on twice, and the pants once. It is very light and always in my pack, but most times there is plenty of warning that rain is coming and I have always been relatively close to vehicle when rains came so typically ended hunt until rain cleared. I did wear the jacket the whole day packing out Justin's bull in 2010, and it was amazing to stay warm and dry. So...I'm glad I own some packable stuff that is always in pack, but I would have no problem suggesting a couple disposable ponchos in your pack and you are fine (that is actually what I had my dad and buddy do). I would spend my $ on everything else first when day hunting from a truck. Now if planning to backpack/spike camp...I would want some quality gear. But even some frogg togg or off brand stuff would be fine, only goal is to stay dry - not usually hunting very hard during a rain storm. Again...just my $.02 cents...
I've used the very cheap sets from Wal-mart and they were junk. Tore easily and were very loud. It looks like people like the Frogg Toggs a couple complain about noise. If your hunting and its raining you will probably be moving slow enough to not make a lot of noise would be my guess. When it gets closer to hunting season depending on where I am finacially I may just end up getting Frogg toggs because of price. You may never need them. I have a hard time dropping a lot of coin on rain gear. It also has better reviews than the slighly more expensive A.G.O. set.
Been wanting to start running after work but these 10-13 hour days have been sucking the life out of me. At least I'm active while working and not at a computer the whole time so it's better than nothing I suppose. Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk
I'm in the same boat as you, along with getting up at 230 am most mornings, it doesn't leave a guy with a whole lot of energy. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
I don't wake up that early but I feel your pain. I got to work at 6 am and got home at 7. I will be ready tho! Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk
Being mentally ready is every bit as important as physically ready. Confidence in your bow/shot is critical when the time counts...but just a good positive attitude will carry you farther than a marathon runner with a poor attitude. The hard part of training for me is usually that July/Aug when I'm wanting to ramp up the workouts - it's 100+ heat index everyday...and I HATE HEAT! Thinking of those cool mountains is about the only thing that carries me through it... Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone! Sat & Sun my two oldest boys are in a 3 on 3 Street Basketball tourney...and family events Sat & Sun night...kickoff to summer...which means elk preparation starts gaining momentum each day.
Only found this thread last night. Sounds great. Is it too late for me and a buddy to join the party?
Wings, what part of mn are you in? I am going with a buddy to this hunt and I don't believe it's too late at all Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
