Walking out at night

[mad_angler]

Didn't read through all the answers but it seems like a big part of the discomfort is the fact that your body is already in a tough position before the walk out started....

I think you are right.

In the morning, I am fresh and warm. I am not concerned about walking through the dark to get to my morning spots.

In the evening, I am already cold and tired. I do not know if I have enough left in the tank for an hours-long hike over deadfalls in the rain/snow.

I do not have good puffy pants. Those seem like they would be a great help. I'll have some next year...

 

[Ralphie]

Good points... let me work myself through this... Let's consider my hunt last week. Let's say I killed one right when I was going to leave on the night in question. Now, I have an elk on the ground, it is still dropping heavy, wet snow, and I am already slightly hypothermic. How would I handle that?

First, I would realize that I am in for a long night. I would probably do some jumping jacks to warm up a bit. I would build a simple shelter and start a fire. I would drink some hot liquid to warm my core. Then, I would get to work on the elk. I would use the warmth of the elk to keep my hands warm. The work of breaking it down would probably keep me warm.

If I was warm enough, I would break it all down and hang it from an improvised meat pole.
If I was too cold, I would gut it and break open the hips to cool the meat down.

In either case, I would probably leave the meat in the woods. I would hike back to camp and sleep. I would come back in the morning with an empty pack to starting hauling the meat out.

Once the meat is hanging, I personally would not haul a lot of meat in the dark especially if bushwacking. It is going to take me several days to move the meat alone. I don't see a real difference between it hanging at the kill site or hanging at camp.

I don’t know what your experience level with breaking down elk but with some practice you can get an elk ready to overnight, especially in snow, pretty quick. If it really was urgent gut it and leave it or gutless quarter and leave it. If you aren’t worried about the cape it goes really fast. Leave the skinning, deboning, cutting off lower legs for daylight. Removed quarters with hide on, back straps and tenderloins out will over night very nicely in those conditions. If worried about neck meat you could skin that area a little.
We aren’t talking hours or even one hour.

Adjust as needed if saving the cape. Don’t get into too big of hurry and cut or hurt yourself. You were already going to be walking in the dark what is 30 minutes later in the dark? If working the elk doesnt warm you up…you may be cold blooded.

All that said I’ve killed multiple elk and deer because I left my spot and slowly hunted the last of shooting light on my way back.

 

[Bobrobheimer]

I think you are right.

In the morning, I am fresh and warm. I am not concerned about walking through the dark to get to my morning spots.

In the evening, I am already cold and tired. I do not know if I have enough left in the tank for an hours-long hike over deadfalls in the rain/snow.

I do not have good puffy pants. Those seem like they would be a great help. I'll have some next year...

This might be a little off topic but if it’s a matter of worrying you don’t have enough in the tank it could be helpful to do a death hike challenge goal type of event for yourself where you push what you think are the limits. That way you may find that your limits are further than you think and you have plenty left in the tank. We have done a few of these over the years and have dramatically expanded our perceived limits. You’ll probably do some night hiking along the way too!

 

[RickDalton]

Found appropriate layers and a great (not just good) headlamp help a lot..

 

[WyoKid]

Most of my Elk were killed before dark. None have fallen in convenient places. One time, my Elk fell in a small creek and I spent all night cutting up that Elk and hauling meet 100 yds away to hang in a tree. It was snowing like an SOB, it was well below freezing and I was soaked in sweat. I was completely beat and definitely didn't want to bivouac with soaked clothes and heavy snow fall so I made the long walk back to camp. It was 5:20 AM by the time I got back. My hunting partner thought I was lost or hurt and was waiting for morning to call Search and Rescue. I was so burned out that it was a struggle to get up and go back to haul more meat.

Now, I try not to kill myself if I shoot something before dark. I just field dress and skin out the neck before leaving it until first light. I never had any issues with predators or meat spoiling. I just make sure to get back just as it is getting enough light to see if there are any predators present. I take the tenderloins and the tongue to cook up at camp, and get a good night's rest before a long day of packing meat. It is much better for me to get a good night's rest, and safer than risking fatigue, darkness and hypothermia.

I still carry extra layers, emergency bivy, fire starter and water purification tablets but avoid spending the night out of is isn't necessary especially during late season November hunts.

 

[Cliff Gray]

Tons of good info here. Lots of rational advice - obviously don't get yourself hurt, have contingency lights/navigation, hunt with a buddy if possible, develop comfort.

Having said that, and given I was brought up on this, some observations:

There are many places where the chances of killing bulls are 10-15x+ more probable if you hunt until dark. This is correlated with pressure, correlated with tag availability...

I have guided/hunted many draw tags and private ranches where I was blown away by how long elk stay out in the daylight.

OTC tags, etc... In most cases it's just not a thing unless you get ideal cold/snow conditions that force elk to move or feed longer during the daylight.

The other exception is areas where water is limited. Elk will move for water, especially during the rut, during the day. This again tends to be correlated to less pressure because there is less habitat and carrying capacity for elk (lack of water).

So in short, guys saying they kill elk during the day consistently aren't making things up, but I suspect they are hunting areas and in circumstances that don't apply to the majority of elk tags.

It's also a reality that if you only hunt inside of sunrise/sunset, that is when you will kill a 100% of the elk you kill. That doesn't means it's an effective strategy.

For a big proportion of my life, I observed drop camp hunters—pack guys into a good camp I knew a bunch of elk were around, they get totally skunked... packed them out demoralized and bummed. Via my communication with them during the hunt, checking on them during the week, seeing who/when people were in camp, glassing them move in and out of their camp during the hunt, I know for a fact they were all in camp 30-40 mins before dark every night. The next week I pack in guys that hunt/glass/observe until dark dark—completely different results. I saw this dozens of times.

An hour of elk hunting is not an hour of elk hunting... WHEN matters.

Understanding this dynamic and getting comfortable moving in the dark isn't easy, but given the exponential increase in success it will provide in most places with tags, it is very much low-hanging fruit. Probably the easiest way to increase your chances.

 

[RockAndSage]

Via my communication with them during the hunt, checking on them during the week, seeing who/when people were in camp, glassing them move in and out of their camp during the hunt, I know for a fact they were all in camp 30-40 mins before dark every night. The next week I pack in guys that hunt/glass/observe until dark dark—completely different results. I saw this dozens of times.

Pretty priceless observations over the years. Appreciate the detail you shared here. And it completely makes sense.

There's something similar I've seen with mule deer hunters, but during the day - guys packing it in during mid-day, because they "know" the deer are all bedded down and are "basically nocturnal this time of the year". But they sure do seem to get up and move beds for shade as the sun moves across the sky, and die well - if you're there, looking for them. Especially when nobody else is, because they know better. So yeah, it makes sense for a different animal, that people are getting them on the ground when other people just aren't out, or don't know any better, or the details of that type of animal in that particular area.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I want to emphasize the importance of a really good headlamp. I have a Fenix that is like the sun coming up. Last year I was helping my buddy pack an elk down a nasty steep hill. Between the Fenix and OnX we managed to get our way down with getting cliffed out or mired in deadfall.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

I don't use my headlamp going in and out places I hunt regularly just to get used to the dark...did 3 miles in the dark on Sat and .75 miles on Sunday...Waning Cresant less than 10%...under the tree canopy you couldn't see you hand in front of your face. Lots of stars.
It makes hunting places I have never hunted with a headlamp in the dark a literal walk in the park.

 

[WyoKid]

One thing that I was taught and generally holds true is to be sure to be hunting during the Golden hour - an hour before sunrise and an hour after sunset.

 

[mad_angler]

Thanks for all the input and a special thanks to Cliff Gray for weighing in.

It seems that I just need to buck up and stay until dark. As a whitetail hunter, I would never think of leaving my stand before sunset. I easily see/kill 80% of my deer in that last hour.

I also need to get some more clothes to stay warmer for the evening sit. Puffy pants seem like the next purchase...

 

[Weldor]

Just hauled one out last night, tired this am for sure. Broke her down in about 1-1/2 hr. Gutless. pack out was pretty good except for all the stobs. Had to change out batteries 2 twice. Like everyone said above get a good headlamp or 2 and go slow. No reason to rush after the shot . A small led lantern is a must for me. Great light when needed.

 

[cbuck516]

I think hiking in the dark, especially solo, is just a skill you have to develop. The more you do it, the more OK you will be with it. The first time I camped solo in grizzly country I was super uncomfortable about something pulling me out of my sleeping bag in the dark. These days it never crosses my mind once I’m in bed. You just need to spend some time doing it to develop that mental confidence. My two cents.

I would be more concerned about identifying why you were cold while you were hiking. Based on the conditions you described I would assume that you were pretty wet. I’ve been in similarly unpleasant situations and made it a priority to learn how to avoid getting wet when possible and just deal with being wet when that isn’t possible. Learning how to get your gear dry at the end of the day is a big deal if you are out on a long trip when conditions get nasty. Mid season hunting is way more nasty than late season hunting in my opinion.

 

[TX_Diver]

I think hiking in the dark, especially solo, is just a skill you have to develop. The more you do it, the more OK you will be with it. The first time I camped solo in grizzly country I was super uncomfortable about something pulling me out of my sleeping bag in the dark. These days it never crosses my mind once I’m in bed. You just need to spend some time doing it to develop that mental confidence. My two cents.

I would be more concerned about identifying why you were cold while you were hiking. Based on the conditions you described I would assume that you were pretty wet. I’ve been in similarly unpleasant situations and made it a priority to learn how to avoid getting wet when possible and just deal with being wet when that isn’t possible. Learning how to get your gear dry at the end of the day is a big deal if you are out on a long trip when conditions get nasty. Mid season hunting is way more nasty than late season hunting in my opinion.

Re: wet… if I know I’m going to be sitting awhile and likely have wet feet from rain, wet grass, or just sweat… I will take an extra pair of socks. Makes all the difference in the world for me in being able to sit for a long time and glass. Change them after sitting down and I’m good for a lot longer than trying to tough it out with cold feet!

 

[cnelk]

I’ve killed elk just before dark by myself, not my favorite thing to pack out meat in the dark but it’s all part of the game.

I typically hunt dense forest so what might be dark for me, might still be light for someone out in the open area.

Lotsa variables

I know guys who hunt elk in Grizz country. And they don’t even hunt in the evening. How much are they losing out?

 

[cbuck516]

Re: wet… if I know I’m going to be sitting awhile and likely have wet feet from rain, wet grass, or just sweat… I will take an extra pair of socks. Makes all the difference in the world for me in being able to sit for a long time and glass. Change them after sitting down and I’m good for a lot longer than trying to tough it out with cold feet!

I think I always have at least two pairs of dry socks in my pack at all times. Maybe just one extra if it’s late season.

Finding a pair of boots that is actually waterproof is also helpful. It’s incredible how many expensive goretex boots aren’t waterproof at all.

 

[Toneloc]

Saw above someone posted about having multiple lights…..this is good advice, especially when solo.

I was training for an endurance hiking event last winter. Was night hiking with my pup about 3 miles back on a snow covered trail, that was pretty overgrown and hard to follow, my Fenix starts blinking on its lowest setting which means time for a battery change. No big deal I brought a spare. I had grabbed my boys Fenix that night which is a slightly newer model. What I didn’t know was the new model only takes 18650s with the button top….spare battery I had no button top…so battery swap was fruitless. Had no service, phone battery was less than 10 percent. I wanted to save that for navigation. I didn’t have any emergency gear either like a fire starter. I was able to pick my way out, thanks to snow cover on the ground the star lit sky gave me enough light to navigate. Was a bit of wake up call though to be more prepared. Know your equipment better, have a back up….have some basic safety stuff.

 

[KsRancher]

This is Colorado so not in grizzly country. But I am getting to where I enjoy walking in the dark. In 2023 my dad shot a bull during 4th season right before dark. He and my brother was almost 4 miles in. I was at the vehicle in case they had to go out a different direction. As soon as my brother text me I loaded up the pack and headed in. I hiked all but the last 400yds without a light on. It was enjoyable. Almost a full moon and not much for clouds. You could see great. The older I get the more I enjoy walking in the dark. Especially when its light enough from the moon that you dont need a light. To me the time flies by when walking in the dark.


My dad is the one that got me started walking without a light in the dark. Now he is getting older and doesn't see as well so he cant hardly do it anymore without falling. My brother does it well. But when his girlfriend comes along she absolutely wont walk without a light.

I have never been out after dark in BAD weather. But I probably wouldn't enjoy that at all.

 

[Chris in TN]

There’s a balance everyone must find for themselves.

When my daughter was younger we stood up one afternoon on public land about five minutes before shooting light ended. I didn’t want to make her walk out in pitch black. About a minute later we’re organizing our gear for the walk out and a buck pops out. Spooked and ran. If I’d held her there two more minutes it would have been an easy shot. My fault. We were only about 600 yards from the truck down a well established old road. One small creek crossing. Should have waited.

Another evening I passed up a shot at a really nice buck here on my farm, before we built our house here. The buck was headed right to my dad’s stand. I tensed up but the shot never came. Dad had left his stand and walked the 125 yards back to the car fifteen minutes before dark.

Those stories are easy to recall because they represent very obvious unforced errors that are easily avoided.

Hunt every minute you can. We used to have a spot where whitetails would pour into a food plot all afternoon, the field would be fullest a hour before dark, then by dark half of them would be leaving. Even then we saw most nicer bucks in the last half hour. Hunt as early/late as you can and don’t let yourself believe the lie that those few minutes on either end of the day don’t matter. They do.

Learn to navigate better. Learn to use your GPS or phone apps *and* learn some basic star and moon/sun navigation. Have a compass.

Last week in completely strange places with hills and brush and private boundaries nearby I was quite able to use all of the above. Having the Garmin 67i allowed me to stay close to paths I’d used in daylight. Having a grasp of the moon or stars’ relative direction helped. Yes, I used a single bright star two mornings to walk into a strange place. The star was close to east. I knew that if I kept that star off my left shoulder and and dropped to a bench then hugged it as I turned away from that star, facing west-ish, I’d end up where I needed to go. I didn't know which star it was (anyone who hunted CO last week at daybreak saw it, I am certain) , just that it was in a spot I should be able to find for the duration of my walk in due to the slope aspect of the hill we were on. I also know this stuff has limitations and it’s easy to get disoriented at night. But simple things can help - when you leave the car/camp, note whether you’re on the north or south side of the road. Use your phone light to excite the phosphor paint on your compass dial. Learn to hold your compass away from electronics before reading it. Have a red-beam headlamp or small flashlight. I keep both. The red flashlight is tiny, weighs about two ounces, stays clipped to my backpack so that when I shoulder my pack for a walk in or out it’s always there.

My kids are learning this stuff even now. I'm fortunate that I have an educational background that exposed me to a lot of land-nav stuff in classroom settings and I even had to demonstrate it for class grades once upon a time.

Of course, know your limitations. Being lost sucks.


ETA: And let me reiterate: When you leave the car, note what side of the road you're on. If you take off walking north then panic at night and keep walking north you can't push hard enough to circle back to your car that's to the south. It can't be done and I'm emphasizing this because of past experience with hunters who can't or won't consider even the most basic principles of navigation. A very functional compass can be had for $5 and will clip onto your trek pole straps. Every modern phone has navigation apps for free. You can get a cheap red flashlight at Harbor Freight or Amazon for less than a cup of overpriced retail coffee.