Joehilty
New member
Good morning! Thanks for the add Mrs. Newberg! I'm from West Central Missouri and am not new to elk hunting but will be going on my first backpack hunt late this summer. I'm 43 and my two buddies that are going with me are 40. 2 of us have extensive backpacking experience and 2 of us have a descent amount of elk hunting experience, but none on public land. We did not draw in New Mexico or Montana so we are going to CO! Very excited but have not had much experience at 10,000+ feet. We have decided to venture into the West Elk Wilderness in unit 53. Looking for advice and others experience. Our plan is to be there the Friday before Labor Day weekend and hunt for 7-10 days. Been contacting outfitters for help in packing out and maybe even a "ride" in. I've read forums and watch endless amounts of YouTube videos about early season hunting. We've never hunted "summer" elk. I hope that by the end of our hunt, we an get into some bugling, but not relying on that. There seems to be plenty of water, some dark timber, aspen groves and oak brush. Just looking for others experience in that area. Plan on making a trip out the last weekend of July to scout as well. We are not horn hunters. We love to elk hunt and eat elk meat, so any legal animal that gives us a chance, will hopefully be put down. Any help will be greatly appreciated and might even be able to reciprocate with waterfowl and turkey hunting hunting here in the Golden Valley of West Central Missouri! Thanks again!