Solo hunting elk for 65+ hunters

by B Christy
(Idaho Falls)

I am a retired Park Ranger and Law Enforcement Officer 65+. I have been hunting big game deer and elk since I was 20 years old. Through the years, I have been forced to redefine my hunting style to match my age. I mostly hunt cow elk in November because the elk have mostly herded together and are located in lower elevations. Additionally, the colder temperatures help prevent meat spoilage. I "Spot & Stalk" along rivers and streams flowing through good grazing ground bordering forests. I solely rifle hunt because, at my age, distance is my friend. Most hunters do not like hunting with old men, so my game cart is my "pack mule." It follows me everywhere these old bones can go. I only park it with my backpack when I'm setting up for a shot. I can cart out an entire cow elk in one trip. This comes in handy here in grizzly country. I mostly hunt along back roads and game trails. I come and go from my hunting camp, which consists of my pickup truck with camper shell for sleeping, and small cargo trailer filled with all my hunting stuff. I can keep warm with a Buddy heater and it keeps the bears away. I can also relocate my camp in a hurry. I only hunt as far back as these old bones will carry me in and out of the back country. If nothing else, I enjoy the camping trip!

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Dec 12, 2024
 68 and Still Hunting
by: Dave- ElkHuntingTips.Net

I'm 68 and I still hunt alone and however I want to. I use a mountain bike to get 4 miles in to a starting point at one place. (I don't use an Ebike.) Then I hunt 2-6 miles on foot. I hunt public access ranches that let me drive in after a kill as long as my rig stays on the road. I also have a winch that I can use to pull elk carcasses on a big sled (even on dry ground) over 100 yards to get it to the truck. The winch will pull it right into the truck bed.

If I kill one away from roads, I quarter it and use a one-wheeled big game cart that you can read about on this website at this page: https://www.elk-hunting-tips.net/game-hauler.html.

I apply for an extra cow permit that I can use on a ranch that lets me and only a few others hunt on it. I'm usually first to hunt, because I know how to get my elk quartered and iced down in the end-of-August/first-of-September heat. (See my recent, September 2, 2024, description of this process on the Facebook page of this website at https://www.facebook.com/ElkHuntingTips.) I can drive very close on that ranch after a kill.

I have used most of these advantages since I started this website about 18 years ago. I've killed more than 25 elk since 2000. Bulls and cows. I don't make it easier because I can't hunt hard. I make it easier, because I like to eat elk meat year-round that has not been temperature and time abused after the kill! My elk meat is always treated in a way to keep it from tasting "gamey".

I am small, but very fit as a competitive sprinter (retired from marathon competition). I do a lot of whole body strength work. So, the point is, get and stay as fit as you can. Then use all the options of making a hunt easier, no matter what your age.
Aug 13, 2024
 Another year
by: JStephens

Well, it’s 2024 and I’m now 63 and still going after elk. This year I’m going out with a couple young guys. They’ve never been elk hunting, so I’m passing my limited knowledge along and getting some extra help. It’s a win win situation.
May 24, 2024
 68+ and still hunting
by: Big Bad Bill

I love rifle hunting big game in the Idaho mountains. Lately, I've had to switch to ground blind hunting with a popup ground blind. The key is getting as far away from public hunting pressure as possible and set up in active areas. Any way you settle on hunting, you need to really work on becoming good at it. I set up and break down my ground blind daily approximately 200-400 yards from where I expect to shoot. I've found setting up within 1 mile from my pickup works just fine for me. I take either a cow elk or a young legal bull elk.
Apr 30, 2024
 Working with what you have
by: Wild Bill

I'm 68 years old and have gain a few pounds with age. We gain extra weight in pounds and loose extra weight in ounces. I simply exorcise to keep my muscles in condition. Doctors suggest a little extra weight in old age helps to keep us healthy. I still hunt big game, but at a slower pace. Improvise, adapt, and overcome, this is motto for aged hunters. Luckily, we have the technological advances in gear allowing older hunters to do so.
Apr 09, 2024
 Ground Blind hunting for elk
by: Anonymous

I've had to resign myself to hunting from a popup ground blind for rifle hunting elk. I've had one total knee and one total shoulder replacement surgeries. I'm a 68 year old DIY solo rifle hunter. I use my game cart to haul my gear into the field and gear/meat out of the field. I'm limited in what I can do. Point being, don't give up on hunting just because your old. There's always a way to get it done.
Jul 02, 2023
 Solo hunting elk for 65+ hunters
by: AnonymousJ Stephens

Turned 62 this year, hopefully still going after elk 3 years from now!
Biggest issue for me right now is the 35# that I’ve put on in the past 4 years since retiring. It’s slowly coming off.
Don’t have a game cart, but do have a JetSled and absolutely love it! Definitely helps with the drag out.
Almost every elk hunt has been solo. Picked up a Garmin inReach so I can stay in touch with the family. Gives my bride peace of mind if she can reach me.
Used to think archery was the only way to hunt, but have slowly gravitated to rifle hunting.
This year will be 1st rifle in Colorado with a good friend and his nephew. Looking forward to the hunt with friends.
Good luck to everyone.
Oct 07, 2022
 Hunting over age 65
by: David

B Christy, sounds like fun! I'm 66 and haven't slowed down much, other than I don't compete in distance running anymore. I still run to stay in shape. I ride a mountain bike in several miles on a couple of ranches. Then I hunt from there. Just stay in shape by doing strength and endurance training. There are much younger guys that have hunted with me, but couldn't keep up on the bike. I simply refuse to act my age! (My wife agrees with that.) Have a great hunting season. Be careful!

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