Solo Backpacking - how far off the road?

[Gumbo]

It all depends on the terrain, but the max I have hunted is about 7 miles in for elk. But what I am willing to shoot is a function of the distance, terrain, and weather. If I get in real nasty stuff, am a long way in, or it is hot I hold out for a big bull. Fortunately, it seems I usually end up about 2-3 miles in when I do shoot one.

 

[chadahooche_]

4 miles for me...maybe more if it's cooler out and I have time to hang some of the meat while I pack the rest out

 

[COLOelkman]

For me, time is the biggest factor, not distance. Ideally, I'd like to get the elk out in 2 days as I usually have ice in coolers in the truck. So if getting camp out comes on the 3rd day, that's fine as long as the meat is being cooled. Also I have a sleeping setup at the truck (bag, sm. tent, food, etc) in case I end up at the truck and it's too late to go back to my remote camp,

 

[rackcity24]

Just out of curiousity, how is everyone perception to hunt 5 miles from the truck. Is it as the crow flies or according to a GPS following your trail. But to add to the discussion like other terrain is a big key for me. If I can walk to the top of a ridge on a mountain and walk on top for a couple miles makes a big difference than climbing up and down multiple times.

 

[TravisIN]

Good thread


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[Mike 338]

It varies a little. If your hiking "up" from your vehicle, that means your hiking down to get out. In theory, you can go in a bit farther cause coming out with a load is all downhill. Of course if you have to hump a critter out of a deep hole just to get back to camp, your just as gassed. For the average guy in fair shape, 3 miles is a nice distance as the real hunt just starts there. For dudes in amazing shape, that's strictly an individual thing. 3 miles doesn't sound like a lot but in the sticks with elevation changes and a load on your back, it seems like double.

I know a few guy whose knees are wrecked from packing meat. Big "to heavy" loads in the steeps will give you one of those, "now I know better" stories.

 

[ridgerunner22]

Elk is 7-8 miles max. Deer I'd say I'd go 10-12 but would prefer to stay under 7. Far doesn't always mean better that's for sure. But steep often does haha

 

[Newtosavage]

Elk is 7-8 miles max. Deer I'd say I'd go 10-12 but would prefer to stay under 7. Far doesn't always mean better that's for sure. But steep often does haha

Where are you getting 10-12 miles off a road?

 

[cnelk]

You go 10+ miles in Colorado and good chance you’re going to be meeting up with guys coming in from the other direction

 

[njdoxie]

I know a few guy whose knees are wrecked from packing meat. Big "to heavy" loads in the steeps will give you one of those, "now I know better" stories.

Yeah, that really concerns me, that and hurting my back, which I had surgically repaired 3 or 4 years ago. So I’m very cautious and use a packer, or in 2019 I’ll be using llamas. No elk is worth chronic pain.


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[Mike 338]

Yeah, that really concerns me, that and hurting my back, which I had surgically repaired 3 or 4 years ago. So I’m very cautious and use a packer, or in 2019 I’ll be using llamas. No elk is worth chronic pain.


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One year we doubled on elk within a minute of each other. It was pretty rough. Started researching pack animals right after that. Hey, there's no experience like your own experience.

 

[Newtosavage]

Yeah, that really concerns me, that and hurting my back, which I had surgically repaired 3 or 4 years ago. So I’m very cautious and use a packer, or in 2019 I’ll be using llamas. No elk is worth chronic pain.


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This is the reason (back surgery) that I looked at 1st rifle season last year for the first time. Before that, I had been hunting in the Sept. archery or muzzleloader seasons. But I realized that to have any chance of taking out smaller loads without wasting meat, I really needed to be hunting in colder weather where I would have more time.