Colorado Elk Hunt

[SilentKid0423]

Well I meant to start this last night, but got in late and knocked out. My dad and I drew a first season elk tag just a few hours west of Colorado Springs. Best part is my daughter was begging to come along, so after school Friday she’s coming up with my dad on her first hunt. We will see how it goes and if her expectations are met. Any advice on keeping a 5 year old entertained on a hunt? We have agreed that we are going to make this hunt more about her enjoying it than hunting hard the whole time and tagging out.
Went out yesterday by myself to the spot we have been scouting all summer. We have been seeing some nice bulls on camera, but after September, everything calmed down a lot. Sat a few different meadows in the morning, and hiked a good 4 mile loop in the afternoon looking for some sign. Honestly, didn't see a whole lot of anything for sign. The evening I was able to find another open meadow to sit and saw a doe deer and that was it.
I’m driving back and forth from town until my dad and daughter come up with the camper Friday, so today is another loner day haha.

 

[Deez Nutz]

Any advice on keeping a 5 year old entertained on a hunt?

Make sure she stays warm and has plenty of snacks.

Good luck on your hunt!

 

[duckhunt]

This is so awsome, I hope you all have a blast.

 

[BenP]

Yep snacks and warmth are a must. I find that slowing down and looking for the little things helps, that random flower, an interesting tree, a frog or turtle, just any little thing that we might would overlook otherwise because we are focused on the hunt.

 

[nrpate05]

I just got my 5 yr old son out for his first hunt - doe antelope. As others said, plenty of snacks, breaks and warm clothes should be the ticket. If she hasn't had a mountain house meal yet, those seem to pique kids interest. Good luck!

 

[SilentKid0423]

Yep snacks and warmth are a must. I find that slowing down and looking for the little things helps, that random flower, an interesting tree, a frog or turtle, just any little thing that we might would overlook otherwise because we are focused on the hunt.

I like this, my wife just bought a nature book for her save some things in so hopefully it helps!

I just got my 5 yr old son out for his first hunt - doe antelope. As others said, plenty of snacks, breaks and warm clothes should be the ticket. If she hasn't had a mountain house meal yet, those seem to pique kids interest. Good luck!

Thanks for this suggestion, didn’t even think about the mountain house meal! She would definitely love that with the jet boil in the field.

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

Yep definitely plenty of good snacks. My daughters (13 and 15) are going antelope hunting with me this weekend. Even though they have tags of their own and are hunting, their primary concern still is having good snacks

 

[BenP]

I like this, my wife just bought a nature book for her save some things in so hopefully it helps!

When I just took my boys out for a squirrel hunt on Monday I looked back and saw my 8 year old had a handful of fall leaves to bring home. It's the little things that catch their attention that the worries and speed of this world causes us to miss and forget.

 

[SilentKid0423]

The last few days have come and gone with little sleep!
Day 2: mostly scouting and trying to find sign. I had to help at home with getting family ready for the trip, so was only able to scout for half a day

Day 3: got out early and was in my spot just before shooting light. Found some sign walking in, probably a day or 2 old. We got some snow here in CO, so it was easier to see what sign was fresh. I had a little standoff with a cow moose and her calf. I saw her about 200 yards away and watched them feed, sleep, and drink for about an hour until they made a beeline right for where I was sitting. They got to 75 yards and I stood up to make myself known. They both looked at me and walked even close to 50 yards when I started moving a bit. She huffed a couple times at me and scooted off from where they came.
No elk to be seen, but saw some sign walking out so made a mental note. My dad came up with my daughter around noon and got the campsite set up. I met with them and packed up snacks, clothes, blankets, and coloring books and went back where I was in the morning.
I’ve honestly never had such a great time seeing nothing while hunting. She was able to read from her nature book and show me some bugs that she was matching. We shared lots of snacks and drinks and played a couple games on my phone together. It’s very cool seeing your kids in a different setting, and seeing how they can seem enjoy something as much as you do. She was enjoying it until it just passed sunset, and the cold and dark set in. She was ready for the car and kept asking “how much longer” on the hike out. I just laughed and we kept saying “just 10 minutes”. She wants to come out again tonight, so we will see how it goes. Hoping to at least see those moose again, some elk would be even better!