I haven't even started packing. Hell I didn't realize it was October this weekend. I am going to have a busy few weeks

Oh yeah, good fishing can take off some of the adrenaline

I have one buddy I took for the 1st time about 20 years ago, he now goes with his boss of whom I took on his 1st trip up. Anyway, he starts rounding up stuff like 4 months prior, then goes over it every weekend LOl. I start rounding things up a couple of weeks prior, then fester on what I have forgot all the way to camp

Knock on wood, only thing I can recall leaving I couldn't do without (really like to have for scouting), or buy up there, was my spotting scope last year.

I grocery shop up there at Walmart, late night, no crowd, decent prices on fruits and veggies and perishables are a day or 2 younger and I don't have to worry about hauling it up, keeping it cool ectra.

maybe she is tired of putting up with you and ready for her own vacation ...

You got that right brudda, hell , she has no problem telling me that LOL. Actually, she say's she knows how much I like it up there, so she likes seeing me go, she likes to go when she can. I missed one year, pouted like a baby for a month, she said "that will never happen again!"

I was told Elk can "hear you coming". No reason to broadcast my prep plans on here in case they can "read" also. I don't want any of those Elk to have an added advantage. They are tough enough to get on as it is. But yes, I am all in, and will pack the night before.

Just got thru ordering the tags online for son and I. Glad he is 17 and got the youth one.. whew

Yes sir, only a car payment and not a mortgage

My elk gear mostly stays packed. If I end up going, it's just a matter of throwing it in the pickup.

Hey bud, working on a note to get you out. 1st draft went in the trash, my wife said it came across too threatening, wimmins smh. I don't think the bleeding while putting their feet in hot oil was bad, dragging them down the pavement with their teeth grinding on the asphalt may have been a bit much though, chalk board effect but with the nibblers..

Seems reasonable to me.

Yeah, I thought so too, but would hate to turn your boss into a terrorist at you...Just quit and find another job when you get back

I am going to start packing this weekend

I am going to start packing this weekend

I am going to start packing this weekend


If I say the lie enough maybe it will become true

Lol, I know I have just about got all my packing done, just waiting for a few more items to arrive on the big brown truck and Ill be good. And thankfully my delorme inreach is finally working with unlimited tracking on 10 min intervals and texting. All I have left to figure out is how to recharge certain electronic devices, Im torn between leaving a solarcell charging portable charging blocks at camp or just bring a generator.

So, if y'all remember I was a hopeful for this year, but had to drop out because of school.

I do have a couple of questions:

What packs are y'all taking? (make/model would be great)
What capacity packs do y'all have?
How much hiking is expected per full day of hunting?
Mule deer opportunities or not?

Thanks, I hope I can come in the future!

Y'all are way over-thinking this.

It's not too late you know..........

Hiking depends on your desire to "get away" from the well beaten path. I am planning on 8-10 mile round trip day's with the locations I have staked out. That will vary obviously with the weather, hunting pressure etc.

Pack: I have had a Sitka Flash 20 (2,000 cu inch) that I have used the past 4 yrs. It''s perfect for the daily hikes in and out but if I down an elk it will be lucky to get the back straps and head out. Definitely would be brutal trying to haul an elk quarter out with it. I have ordered a Mystery Ranch Metcalf (4325 cu in) to be my go to elk bag but it's backordered till January, so I'll make do with a large Osprey backpack I have to haul out meat. The Mystery Ranch is admittedly bigger than necessary but it compresses down so small that as long as you limit what you pack in it, you would never need all the room. Keep in mind you don't need a high dollar backpack though but they do usually have some nice features and ride a little better than most. You can usually find some great deals on new last year models if you look online.

Yes there are mule deer, some monster at that. But you have to draw a tag for Mulies. Usually need a preference point or two to get a tag.

I'm loving the looks of these Mystery Ranch packs. The Metcalf and the Marshall look awesome. I'd absolutely love to hear what you think about the Metcalf when you get it and put some miles on it. I'm currently looking at Kifaru, Mystery Ranch, and Exo. I really just want to buy them all!

I was in the same boat as you. It really was down to the Kifaru and the Mystery ranch for me. I didn't like the pack options on the Kifaru. It was either too large, too small, or not the right design.

I played with the Mystery Ranch packs at shot show. Was very impressed. Love the set up, load shelf etc. The Marshall was just too much pack for my needs. The pintler too small. Metcalf was perfect. I wish it had some more pockets, I am a pocket organizer nerd but it's still good enoughz. I'll post more reviews when I get it and log some time with it.

This was all answered for you before, and if you cant go cause your still in high school then it will be very hard to do a hunt like this until your out of college, short of taking 5-7 days off which is easier to do in high school then try to catch up on that much missed time in college.
I use a Eberlestock J107M which is 5000 cu in approx, but I can use it as a meat hauler also, and also take a camelbak ranger for a light weight daypack if I decide to go ptarmigan or grouse hunting while I am there and for scouting pre-season. Plan on alot of hiking, you go to where to elk are, could be 1-2 miles each way or it could be 4-5. It all depends on where your hunting. Mule Deer are by lottery draw only.

I have a spare 60L internal frame hiking pack that I dont care if it gets all bloody if anyone needs to use it possibly.

Med Alice pack with frame.

Tick toc, Tick toc, Tick toc.......

How many of you guys are going on this trip? Sounds like a whole lot of fun. Good luck to all.