The Preparation

Every good hunt starts with getting prepared.  For us this means a serious diet and serious workout regiment.  At least this is what we say we want to do.  We always make an effort to loose a few pounds and to try and exercise somewhat.  From my experience being a low altitude breather, you can never be in good enough shape.  A guys muscles may be fine but there just is no way to train the lungs for the high altitude.  I have suggested a plastic bag over the head but no one has tested theory out yet.

For each individual there is always the gear that is involved and lots of it.  Some guys can get everything into a simple bag but us other it's bins, large duffle bags and multiple weapons, just in case.  I think I will do a post later with a check list of gear items to bring for archer and rifle season.

The first thing we do together as a group is the SAMS CLUB RUN.  This is the best shop spree of the year.  After the weeks of dieting and exercise we are all too happy to be able to eat some tasty foods.  Like bacon,eggs and homemade hash browns all in butter and bacon grease.  Then topped with some hot sauce and queso.  Oh I can't wait for Billy's breakfast.  For some reason we always try to cut back but never do.

 Below are the checkout ladies laughing at us,  I am not sure why I am sure 4 guys will eat all of this in a week.

 

The camp BOSS in his happy place.  He always makes sure no one goes hungry! 

 

Another Happy Couple with a case of Baby wipes

 

After the checkout of food it's time to pack the trailers and trucks for the drive to camp.

 

The "Elk Mobile" featured in camo saved our ass last year on the way out from camp.  Some city sharp kids attempted to drive a car up the camp road after 3" of inches of and hail had fallen.  They left the car stuck in the middle of the road.  This resulted in Will having to stop and get stuck but the Elk Mobile with winch pulled him out and away we went.  What is normally a 30min ride took us 2.5hrs in the greasy muck.  What a mess.

 Will's Urban Burban is somewhere below and in front of all this gear.

 

The other major preparation that we do is practice shooting with our weapons of choice.  For archery we do a lot of uphill down hill standing, kneeing etc.  The more variations that a person can practice the better.  I have a rifle target out at 300yards that I practice with but Will has one at 600 yards.  For muzzle loader 100yards is usually all a person needs.  Scopes are not allowed for early muzzleloader season and loose powder is also a requirement.

 

My 60 yard shot group

 

Here we are at the range near Will's house with 600 yard range.  This is the 600yd bunker used to change the targets for the shooter. 

 

 This is at the 100yrd and under range tuning in our muskets.