Got (Elk) Meat?

Thanks to the Colorado Department of Agriculture, here is the 2008 List of Meat Processors.

Elk in My Back Yard!

Around 10pm last night 2-3 bull elk made their way through my yard, headed for higher ground and probably chasing a mob of cows. As far as I can tell, the rut is getting started and these boys were looking for some ungulate companionship.

Hearing these guys bugle so loudly, so close to the house made my day! (night?) I've lived in the high country, in what I would consider prime elk territory, for almost 10 years. In that time I've never had any elk in my yard, let alone heard them bugle so loud and so strongly.

I should have known something was about to happen when I saw a cow elk swimming in the lake earlier in the evening. I have no idea why she was there or where she was going, but it was another first for me as well.

Things You Take Elk Hunting

Elk tag(s) and zip ties............... The FIRST thing you put in your pack! Forget this and you can kiss that 7x7 B&C record bull good-bye!

Ammunition.............................. 9 rounds should be enough for one day in the field. Keep the rest back at camp.

Headlamp AND flashlight........... ALWAYS make sure you have TWO sources of light, no mater how many other hunters are in your party.

BATTERIES............................. No batteries, no light, no fun, no kidding.

Snacks.................................... A little snack every hour or so will keep you going all day.

Knife (or knife set)..................... One great knife will probably do the trick. A few good knives will too.

GPS and Compass................... A GPS is awesome… until it doesn’t work. Not only do you need to carry a compass, you need to know how to use it.

Surveyor’s tape......................... Bright orange is nice and easy to see at night. You’ll use it to mark your trail, mark the campsite, mark the toilet, and decorate your cot. Blaze orange is to men as chartreuse is to women.

Sunscreen (unscented).............. Sunburn sucks. Put it on, keep it on.

Lip balm (unscented)................. Cracked lips suck.

Game bags.............................. Tag it and bag it.

Spare socks, gloves, warm hat... Easier to stay warm than to get warm when you’re sitting on your ass all day long.

Coat/Jacket.............................. Keep warm by staying warm

Rain poncho............................. Keep dry. If your coat will do both, leave the poncho at camp.

Toilet paper with a ziploc bag..... Pack it in, pack it out.

X’ parachute chord/nylon rope.... Useful for hold the game in position for cutting or tying the head/quarters to the pack frame.

“Wind bottle”............................. Squeeze bottle with odorless talc. If you are staying in just one area, consider bringing some string to setup as a windsock around the area.

Water bottle or bladder.............. 2 liters minimum. Whenever you have a snack, have a drink. The more you drink, the warmer and more energetic you’ll feel.

Space blanket (*)...................... Also doubles as a tarp to keep the meat away from the dirt while you dress it out. Make sure you get a good one.

First aid kit (*)........................... Critical medications (asthma inhaler, epi-pin for allergies, etc.) as well as the basic band-aids, bandages, etc.

Waterproof matches and lighter.. Fire good.

Fire starters (*)......................... Fast fire better.

Wet wipes................................ Great for keeping the privates clean.

Latex gloves............................. Great for keeping your hands clean.

Elk call(s)................................. Mostly cows and a bull.

20x One (1) gallon Zip-Lock Heavy Duty Freezer bags

Knife sharpener......................... Why be dull?

Multi-tool.................................. Mine is the classic Leatherman

FOOD...................................... Hunger sucks.

MAP........................................ Helps to know where you are and where you’re going. If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll always get there faster…

Spare blaze bandanas............... Hang'm in a tree near you while you bone-out the Elk. Keeps more bullets away.

Flask with Jim Beam whiskey.... To toast a successful harvest!

Emergency whistle.................... one of those orange jobs that doesn’t have a pea in it