Hey Guys,
Be prepared for wind, cold, warm, sunny and clear, cloudy and raining, 0-70+ temps. Basically the weather at any time will not be the same in 15 minutes.
I have seen it snow its pants off on August 12th, witnessed snow on the third of July, 30 below on Oct 20th and 80 degrees on that same date.
The biggest thing in any weather is to stay dry. I always change my under shirt and socks at mid day. Love the silk long johns. (Sierra Trading Co. in Cody - 30 bucks) They dry quick are cooler than most longies and light weight yet very warm. Can be rinsed in the creek and dry in 10 minutes. Have rinsed them from my canteen during lunch. I have tried just about every thing for over 20 years.
Rain gear that does not make noise AT ALL! I prefer wool and have both from head to toe, Sleeping Indian and King of the Mountain. You will see plenty of elk in bad weather with the right guide and if quiet. Pants that when wet freeze making clicking noise or the sound of corduroy thighs are a no no...
There are plenty of good bulls but you have to be selective and hunt hard pushing your self to the limit sometimes then again I have taken elk just outside of camp.
Most hunters over the years didn't heed the encouragement to drink water. When you are thirsty its already too late. Stay hydrated! drink every chance you get. The ease of the camel-back type backpacks make it easy to be drinking a sip of water every 10 minutes or so. You will carry farther physically and sleep better. Eat the right things, protein, complex carbs and as much fruit as you can muster from the dining tent. You can make your own granola very easy that does not have the sodium or preservatives the store bought does. Stay away from the sugars. I know they are tasty and do give some energy but you will crash harder at the end of the day. If you need sugar bring a small plastic bottle of local (Cody Area) honey.
Have seen gentlemen 80+ yrs young kill bulls in there. Its about heart and determination to get in shape regardless of age. I have seen fellas 45-55 beat the pants off of some young 30 and under punks because they did get in shape.
The season is not far off and its time to be on a horse, the more the better as I mentioned earlier in this thread. For next years hunters, start now not next August. Do your scouting for your local deer hunting wearing a pack with sand bags or some kind of weight, as heavy as you can manage. Sweating it off now and getting the ticker a working will only be that much easier come next fall. Plus I guarantee you the lil woman will like it! Why do you think they dig Cowboys so much? not for the brains, heck we ride bulls for fun, its because of being fit.
Just had to add that, he he... Believe me, not heeding the being prepared is the biggest short coming of 95% of the hunters I have guided.
The more serious you can be now about the worst possible conditions and physically demanding tasks, the easier and more enjoyable your hunt will be. Go to the extreme now so the extreme wont be your hunt challenges. I can teach people how to walk and properly breath to lessen the strain of elevation. It is hard for most to master but inhale and exhale with every step and find your fastest steady pace with it. Also push off with your back leg as far as you can instead of pulling all your weight up with the forward step with the proper breathing. Its easier to push weight than pull it. I am speaking in terms of going up hill. Master it and you will not tire or become as short of breath as even your guide. I made a living at guiding and when I get going a foot I can travel faster and longer than on horse back. I have walked out of the Thorofare, more than once, taking hunters out leaning forward on the lead rope basically pulling the nag dude horse and pack string I had for a ride out, the entire way. Had five hunters bet me fifty bucks each I could not do it. I made an extra cool $250 in cash at the trail head.
I only mention this crap because for years I have nagged outfitters to get on the hunters about this stuff and most of the time the outfitter is the one more concerned about getting you booked and its up to us guides to get you your game and your hunt is usually summed up by a kill. Its frustrating to know in some cases that an elk would have to commit hairy-cary right in front of you, when you stepped out of the cook tent first thing in the morning, in order to fill your hunters dreams and tag.
I know this all sounds extreme and most will ignore it but I am willing to bet if you go the extreme now you wont have the extreme against you during your hunt.
Cheers!
CodyDan
