Ill be up there hunting but northeast of Durango instead of on the taylor mesa with them. On a side note, the forecast leading up to the season looks halfway decent, as its showing in the 30's at night in Delores for you guys.

We need teens at night!

I took this completely wrong.

I can see how after re-reading it, see how you "youngsters" are

Well, this took an unexpected turn from the last I time I read the thread.

Not everyone, I say bring on the cold. Single digits at night would be nice.

Yeah, I don't know what happened, we where here get ready for vacation bible school and.........

Rifleman, it actually went something like this:

"(Reporter):
This is your action news reporter once again, and we're here at the gas
station. Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened?

(Witness):
Yeah, I did. I's just in here gettin my car checked, he just appeared
out of the traffic. Come streakin' around the grease rack there, didn't
have nothin' on but a smile. I looked in there, and Ethel was gettin'
her a cold drink. I hollered, "Don't look, Ethel!" But it was too
late. She'd already been mooned. Flashed her right there in front of
the shock absorbers."

Used to be 250 tags for the ducks now there's 125. They also slashed the tags around the farmland around the park as well. Very few people hunt the ducks any more. Success rate is just so poor, most dont make the trip out. I would guess success would be less than 5%. Was around 8% when there used to be a few elk around. If your group got an elk every 2-3 years you were doing well. by group I mean 2-3 guys. All the guys that used to hunt moose in the park (harvest), now hunt elk with the rifle because moose is closed. Province is keeping quite about the ban as well. Rumour is it ends soon for harvesters. I've personally watched the serious decline there over the years and most likely wont hunt there until they actually try some form of conservation. Sickening how hunters support all the research and conservation and are given zero information on population and conservation tactics. Just spend one season in the states and you will be blown away by how well they manage their resource and keep people informed on how the population is doing. Update the regs in each and every zone every two years.

2 weeks left

Glad I ain't going...better to have a ton of college catch-up than get spooky in the middle of elk country.

Working on gear now.. cleaning up laterns, replacing mantels, rope, tarps, clothing, gloves, hats.. 17 year old is no help except telling me to buy a lots of Dr. Pepper, Beef Jerky, and Honey buns.

You get one down, and he will be shaving by the time the trip is over Will be beer and pizza from then on out

6 days for me brudda and the drive begins

Told my wife I probably should leave this Friday, because of the hurricane coming of course

Giving Amazon Prime and eBay mobile apps a work out. Order stuff real time and not have to go anywhere.

Started packing today...getting things out At least


As of right now I am really thinking about streaming down a lot

Small med kit
Flashlight
Kill bag-knives and meat bags
Binos on harness
Food
Drink
Basic utility tools

That's about it...I ma usually no more than 3-4 hours to truck, camp, or a road

I like to plan for the worse but try to not go overboard even if I am close to a trail or road. I'll add the following:

GPS
Personal Locator Beacon
Water Filter Straw
Emergency blanket
Fire starting gear
Paracord
Rain gear

Its getting close. Can hardly wait. 98 degrees here today.

I think you fellas will appriciate the adjustment, nothing worse than lugging ounces that turn into pounds. Over the years, I have found some odd stuff left in the woods, from small folding chairs, a hatchet, even found a small 1 man tent still in the bag once.

One thing I would also carry that is lightweight and makes a great fire starter, is surgical gloves, I will carry maybe 10 pairs and they fit anywhere.

also, you guy's may consider getting some 0 degree window washing fluid, I picked up a couple gallons at O'Rielly's on sale for like $3.89. If the weather is snowy and muddy, you go through a lot of window fluid when driving. More importantly, the lines can freeze and crack, which can be a pita later. Been there, done that.

Gps is on phone
Filter straw is always good to have
Emergency blanket- because it so light yeah but unless it's going to get real cold most likely wouldn't need
Fire starting gear-included
Paracord- -always
Rain gear- yep

Do any of you guys use hiking sticks or trekking poles?

Yes I do. Makes my knees and ankles not as sore

I'm not going on this hunt, but I spend the summer near there in Pagosa Springs and I hike a lot in the mountains. I would rather give up my good boots than my hiking stick. It makes a world of difference and weighs only a few ounces.