Key decisions: Solo Elk Hunting? Guided or DIY? Backpacking or base camp?

Alright, you’ve decided which state you’re going to hunt and you have a unit picked out (or close to it).  Before you start picking your elk hunting spots, dates, or planning logistics there are a few key questions you need to answer: Will you go solo or with a friend?  Do you want a DIY or guided trip? Should you backpack or use a base camp?

The answers to those questions will also influence how you train, what gear you should buy, and your hunting tactics, so they’re important to answer now.  I’ll lay out all the options and let you make the best choice for your situation.

Solo elk hunting vs going with a partner

I get this question a lot because it’s hard to find an elk hunting partner.  Let me get one thing out of the way: if you can’t find an elk partner, you should still go!  There are pros and cons to each approach but the only bad option is not going.  I’ve killed elk solo and with a partner, so I know from first hand experience that both are good options.  Here are the key things to consider:

Safety

Most people say safety is their primary concern with solo hunting but it’s not as big of a problem as it’s made out to be.  A well prepared solo hunter could actually be safer than multiple hunters that aren’t as ready.  Why? Response time is everything in an emergency. The sooner you get to care, the safer you are. Most partners won’t be able to physically carry you, so unless they’re well equipped it’s going to take a long time for them to go get help.

The game changer for solo hunting is the PLB (personal locator beacon).  PLB tech comes from EPIRB’s, which are satellite beacons that originally designed to locate sinking boats.  They were recently approved for on land use and alert rescuers to your location within several minutes (and will stay active for a day or two).  You have to register with the NOAA, and there are big penalties for using one if you don’t need it, but you know it will be reliable. 

I personally use the ACR ResQLink, which is one heck of a lot faster than a buddy hiking out to get help. Satellite communicators like the InReach Mini are really popular these days but remember that they’re not as reliable since you’ll have to take the time (and have the mental ability) to communicate your problem.  Also, if you ran down the battery using the texting/gps function or forgot to turn it off, you’re out of luck.

Regardless if you hunt with a buddy or go solo you should always leave your plans with others, pack an emergency shelter, take multiple navigation aids (and know how to use them!), and stay within your limits. Safety is more about your level of preparation than if you have a companion. A companion will always be safer but I personally don’t think solo hunting is very risky if you take the time to prepare.

Splitting the load

Three things are easier to split with a partner: the costs of the trip, the gear in your pack, and the effort to pack out an elk.  Trip costs really boil down to splitting gas and any lodging, so the difference will be a few hundred dollars if you’re going solo.  However, you can do things like sleep in the car that you might not be able to do with a buddy. 

If you decide to backpack you can split the weight of a tent, stove, water purifier, and kill kit with your partner. The difference will only be about 3-5 pounds, so it’s not going to hold you back that much.

Packing elk is the biggest hurdle of solo hunting.  Four trips instead of two adds up quickly if you’re a few miles in the backcountry when you get an elk down (3 miles away = 24 total miles of hiking!).  It’s best to line up a horse packer ahead of time if you’re solo. You don’t have to pay until you make the call, so it’s a no-brainer to have a packer ready just in case (trust me, you won’t mind the $400-600 cost if it’s needed).

Finally, it’s also easier to call in elk with a partner and you can split camp chores to get them done faster… but it is also harder to disguise two people sneaking through the woods.

Control vs conflict

Control is the most underrated factor in the solo vs partner decision.  Hunting solo gives you the freedom to do what you want to do on your schedule. That’s a huge draw for many guys and definitely does make an elk hunt more fun. That said, it is nice to have someone to balance you out sometimes.

All the married guys out there will get this instantly: it can be really hard (if not impossible) to find a partner that mirrors your hunting style, fitness, attitude, and motivation.  Balancing out your strengths and weaknesses is great but you really don’t want to figure compatibility during your elk hunting week. If you don’t know your partner very well make sure to conduct a small stress test (like a short weekend trip) before you commit to a long time alone in the backcountry.

Mental challenge

Solo hunting, especially backpacking, can be very mentally challenging.  You’re working harder, sleeping alone in the backcountry, and you don’t have someone to talk to.  Some guys crave that mental challenge and it does make success even sweeter when it does work out.  This one is about knowing yourself: if you’ll have a better trip with the support of a friend then the decision is already made for you.

Final suggestions for solo hunters

I referenced some of the challenges for solo hunters above so I’ll leave some suggestions here before we move in.  First, always follow the safety protocols I discussed above (and I definitely suggest buying that PLB and/or communicator). Small details like a kindle (for reading) and earplugs at night go a long way to helping mental stability.  Carry a sidearm or bear spray if it helps you feel comfortable out in the dark and get a great headlamp. Pay extra attention to your gear since you’ll have to carry it all yourself. Make sure to pick a max distance from the truck to hunt and/or line up a packer to help you get an elk out.  Above all, just go for it! The worst that happens is you learn that you’ll need a partner next year and you’ll gather valuable hunting experience.

DIY elk hunting vs using a guide

The hype around DIY, OTC, public land elk hunting is hard to avoid.  It’s plastered everywhere these days, even on the accounts of guys that film private land hunts.  Let’s get this straight: going with a guide can be a great option and there are good reasons to do so.  The decision is actually not black and white, it’s more of a spectrum of options with some pros/cons:

• True DIY
  • You plan and pack everything
  • “$0”
  • You have to supply all the knowledge and equipment
• DIY with packer
  • You do all the hunting, a packer helps you get the elk out
  • $400-$600 per elk
  • Great for solo hunting, if you’re unsure of your fitness level, or if you want to go pretty deep
• Drop camp
  • A packer carries you and your camp into the backcountry, drops you off, and picks you (and hopefully an elk!) up when you want
  • $1000-3000 per person, per week
  • If you’re older, want a more comfortable experience, or have partners that don’t quite match your level of motivation, this is a great option
• Partially Guided / Outfitted
  • An outfitter or guide packs you into a location, takes care of chores like setting up and cooking, and might even point you in the right direction
  • $2000-$5000 per person, per week
  • Like a drop camp but with full service
• Fully Guided
  • A guide (and generally a fully outfitted camp)
  • $4000-$8000 per person, per week, depending on where you go
  • You learn from someone one on one and will likely have a higher success rate than if you went alone (depending on the quality of your guide)

I primarily write for DIY hunters but I have a few strong opinions here: first, if it’s the difference between you going and not going, take whatever option gets you out there.  Second, even if you’re guided, extra knowledge and good gear will always make you a more successful elk hunter, so study up. Finally, things in life that come harder are always sweeter (and usually lead to a deeper appreciation or passion over time).  You can’t cheat that system. Hunting isn’t just about acquiring something, it’s about enjoying the pursuit of whatever you set out to achieve. If you know you want to go DIY in the future it’s best to get started now. A guide won’t necessarily teach you as much as your own successes and failures.

As a side note, there is another option: you can use pack horses, llamas, or goats to get yourself deep into the backcountry.  I’m assuming that if you have the knowledge to do that you likely won’t be reading this. Those are serious undertakings and I don’t recommend them for anyone that is relatively new.

Backpacking vs Car Camping for elk

Finally, the big question: should you backpack or hunt from a “base camp” like a car, cabin, RV, or drop camp?  There are a lot of misconceptions here that need to be cleared up.

Backpacking

First, the primary benefit of backpacking isn’t getting into pristine, untouched areas of the wilderness.  Hate to break it to you but there is plenty of pressure, even in the “backcountry”. Guides or packers generally drop clients 5-15 miles in, so even if you go in that far you’ll bump into plenty of their clients.  No, the real benefit of backpacking is that you spend far more time hunting since you can camp where the elk are instead of hiking there every morning.  It takes more effort to carry camp on your back (and you might not sleep as well) but you can sleep in much later. The major downside to backpacking is the cost and effort required to buy and organize your equipment. Remember, anything that is difficult is a barrier that will separate you from more hunters (and you can reuse that backpacking gear in the summer).

Base camping

Hunting from a base camp means you’ll get better sleep and carry a lighter load, but it also means you’ll be waking up far before dark to get moving each morning.  There’s a common misconception that it’s easier to hunt from the road when you actually need to hike twice the distance! Don’t believe me? There are very thorough studies that show elk are far more common 1-2 miles from the closest road.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen plenty of elk close to roads but you can’t count on it.  The primary benefit of a mobile base camp is that you can move if the elk aren’t around. Instead of spending a full day hiking in/out of a new spot, you can relocate quickly (and you don’t need all that expensive backpacking equipment).

Why not both?

But wait, if the best option depends where the elk are located, how do I choose an option before I go?  You can’t. That’s why I’m a big proponent of doing both. I leave a mattress in my truck and hike into a new area with all the backpacking gear I need for 3-4 days.  If I find elk near the car, great, I’ll hunt from base camp. If not, I’ll keep on backpacking. If I can’t find elk in a day or two, I’ll hike the short distance out and relocate the car.  That combination of the two approaches helps you avoid pressure and spend more time hunting elk which is what really matters.

A note on stationary base camps:  I generally don’t recommend cabins or lodges since you can’t relocate them (and elk get familiar with where they are).  The exception is cabins that let you access an area most people can’t, which balances the odds. Finally, drop camps are generally far enough away from anyone that the rules of pressure don’t apply.  But do remember that you can still backpack from a drop camp!

Summary

As always, the answers to the questions above depend on your individual situation. The answers are important because they dictate how you should choose spots to hunt. Backpacking with a buddy? You can go in a bit further and go higher than others. Solo elk hunting from the car? Make sure to pick lots of spots within 1-3 miles of the road so you can relocate quickly. Guided? They’ll take care of it for you. Next week I’ll cover eScouting in detail, so stay tuned to learn how to pick the best spots to hunt elk.