New Year’s Resolutions for Elk Hunters: Ethical Shooting

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Winterhawk

Hunting elk in mountain environments like Colorado can be a completely new experience for many hunters. Shot distances can be long and elk are extremely tough animals. If you read our last article on shooting practice, the next step is being confident in a well-placed and ethical shot.

At Winterhawk Outfitters, we take the wounding of game very seriously. A clean kill, as it should be for any hunter, is of very high importance. No matter how heavily your heart might be pounding and no matter how nervous you might be with a rush of bull fever, simply aiming for the middle and pulling the trigger is never an option.

Every hunter must be confident in his or her ability to pick a very specific point of aim and deliver an accurate shot. Here are a few tips on shot placement for elk and taking ethical shots in what might be a new, high alpine environment.

Although an elk might seem huge and is certainly larger than any whitetail you’ve ever seen, a well-placed shot in the vitals still takes accuracy and good judgment. First, analyze this bull elk and imagine the exact spot you would pick as your point of aim:

Did you hone in on a specific point? Now remember that spot. Next, let’s take look at this diagram, showing the vitals and bone structure of a deer, which will mirror that of an elk. Notice where the heart is, and where the lungs sit, top and bottom, left and right.

After examining this diagram, would you change your point of aim? Many hunters tend to hit elk either too far back or too high. As you can see, if you drew a line up the animal’s leg and continued straight up the body, the heart lies right on that line, less than halfway up the chest.

Aiming about a third of the way up the chest and right on the front leg crease not only gives hunters a great shot at the top of the heart, but it also provides the most room for error. The last thing you want to do is hit an elk behind the lungs into the gut. And hitting too high can mean a one-lung hit or a hit in the “no-man’s land” between the lungs and spine. Any of these scenarios will often result in an unrecoverable animal.

You will also notice that the front leg angles forward toward the front of the chest and then joints back toward the shoulder blade, forming a “V” that exposes most of the vitals in a broadside position. That means archery hunters can take advantage of this same point of aim, a bone-free window into the heart.

So what about shots that aren’t broadside? Both archery and rifle hunters have a great shot with quartering away animals. Just remember, your point of aim will now be further back. The steeper the angle, the further back your point of aim will be. Just visualize the path of your arrow or bullet through the elk’s vital area from this angle (see photo below). Based on this angle, your point of aim will probably be a few inches behind the crease.

Archery hunters are always advised not to take a shot on an elk that is quartering toward the hunter. When an elk is angling toward you, the front leg bone obstructs the vital area (see photo below). An archer should always wait for a better shot. Rifle hunters may be able to take this shot if they are confident in their rifle’s ballistic ability to pierce bone at the given distance. However, taking this shot with a rifle will spoil a significant amount of shoulder meat.

With a specific idea of your point of aim, hunters must then take into account their shooting ability. A hunter should know his or her limits and pass any shot where they do not feel completely confident in making a clean kill. If you’ve been practicing all year, you should know exactly what your abilities and limits are. Again, please see our previous article on shooting practice.

When you’re in the field, don’t let adrenaline get the best of you and hastily fling lead into the air. If you’re not sure of the shot, pass it. If you do feel confident, relax, pick your exact point of aim and execute a great shot.

If you have any questions about elk or mule deer hunts with Winterhawk Outfitters, call us at 970-487-3011 or contact us online. You can also find information on our hunting page.

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Military Discounts: Welcoming Our Troops Home

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Winterhawk

To our brave men and women who have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan in the past year, we’d like to say, “Welcome home!” For our 2012 anniversary season, we’d like to show our sincere appreciation by giving you a 25% discount on any trip with Winterhawk Outfitters. Come and enjoy an elk hunt, fishing trip or summer horseback vacation in Colorado’s beautiful Flat Tops Wilderness Area!

If you or a loved one served in the armed forces in Iraq or Afghanistan in 2011, please give us a call at 970-487-3011 or contact us online. We’d be happy to discuss the details with you and help arrange the big game hunt of a lifetime.

To all of our nation’s veterans and to those currently serving, we thank you!

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2012 Big Game Licenses and Applications

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Winterhawk

Believe it or not, it’s already that time of year – time to start planning your 2012 hunt! The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (DPW) has released the 2012 Big Game Brochure and the deadline for limited license applications is less than two months away.

Even if you plan to purchase an over-the-counter tag, applying for a preference point is still a great idea. Building up preference points now will ensure your ability to draw a great tag in the future. And in Colorado, gaining preference points is extremely cheap when compared to many other western states.

The cost of a preference point in Colorado is no more than a $25 point fee and a $3 application fee. The rest of the license cost is refunded when you receive your point. And if you had a big game or annual fishing license last year, the $25 fee is waived. Next to the large fees charged by many other western states, this makes building points in Colorado a bargain.

The application process might seem daunting at first if you’ve never tried it. But you’ll soon discover that it’s fairly quick and easy. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call. We’d be happy to walk you through the application process.

In units 25 and 26, where we hunt in the Flat Tops Wilderness, most elk licenses are sold over the counter. Archery, second rifle and third rifle licenses are unlimited and can be purchased online, at Colorado sporting goods stores or anywhere licenses are sold.

In our local Flat Tops units, muzzleloading and first rifle seasons are by limited drawing only. However, don’t be scared away by the drawing process. It’s easy and can be completed online in just a few minutes. These are great hunts that shouldn’t be overlooked!

First, the muzzleloader season typically falls during mid-September. This is the beginning of the elk rut! It’s a great time to be in the woods, as the elk are starting to become vocal. In 2011, about 37% of applicants with three preference points were able to draw this tag. Those with four or more points all drew the tag. So, while three points gives you a shot, it would help to have four or more points to draw this license. If you’re interested in an excellent muzzleloader hunt, don’t wait to start building those points!

Next, the first rifle season is a great limited hunt that can often be drawn without any preference points in our area. In fact, 64% of applicants with no points drew this tag in 2011. This first rifle season falls in mid October. The elk can still be vocal this time of year and with fewer hunters in the woods, there is less pressure on the elk. And in case you haven’t heard, kids hunt FREE during the first rifle season! If you’re interested, give us a call for details.

All deer licenses in Colorado are by drawing only. Typically, deer tags in our area are very easy to draw. The one exception is the high country rifle season in early September. This tag can take a non-resident six points to draw. However, if you’re interested in a spectacular hunt for a big mule deer buck, it’s certainly worth the points.

Click here for more information from the DPW on the 2012 hunting seasons. If you have questions about hunts with Winterhawk Outfitters, give us a call at 970-487-3011 or contact us online. You can also visit our hunting page.

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Flat Tops Tips: Fly Fishing the Clear Water

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Winterhawk

One of the biggest challenges of fly fishing in the Flat Tops Wilderness or any of Colorado’s high alpine environments, is casting to trout in very clear and often shallow waters. Whether a crystalline stream, a beaver pond or a shallow lake in a high alpine basin, it can be difficult to conceal your movements from skittish trout and adjust your casting technique to these transparent bodies of water.

The trout that live in these environments are extremely wary and sensitive to outside movements. They have very little protection when feeding and are easily seen by raptors and other predators. They survive by being extremely vigilant in spotting intruders from the banks or from the air.

Techniques for fishing these waters begin with a careful approach. Simply walking up to the water’s edge will send trout-shaped shadows darting for the far side. First, study the water from a distance and decide where you intend to make your first cast. Then, imagine a 20-degree angle coming from the surface of the water. Keep your head below that imaginary line as you approach. The closer to the water you get, the lower to the ground you’ll have to go.

If fishing a stream, always start on the downstream side and work your way upstream. Remember that the trout are facing upstream, intercepting insects as they arrive on the current. Positioning yourself below the trout and casting up to them gives an additional layer to your concealment.

Only approach as close as necessary in order to cast. Depending on the situation, you may be forced to crawl into position or cast from your knees several yards back from the bank. This is very true in open or grassy areas where your silhouette will stick out. Whatever you do, keep a low profile and resist any temptation to stand up and peer into the water. The trout will spot you first and they never look twice.

Keep in mind that trees or tall brush surrounding a body of water can work to your advantage. These will break up your outline and allow you to move more freely. A lake in the timber can be easy to move around, especially if it’s deep. But even with a backdrop, it’s best to keep your movements slow and limited.

Once in position, you must execute a delicate cast that won’t spook a cagey cutthroat. Around beaver ponds or open streams, where you’re most likely to be kneeling, casting can be difficult. Be sure and keep your elbow above shoulder level and your forearm at 12 o’clock. This will keep your line high and help you avoid snagging grass or brush behind you.

Then, on your last forward motion as you’re about to place the fly on the water, stop your casting motion abruptly and even draw back slightly instead of following through to the water’s surface. The abrupt stop in your motion and slight retraction will stop your fly in mid air. Your fly will then float the last couple of feet, straight down to the glassy surface as gently as a snowflake.

When you get a strike or hook a fish, the rules don’t change. Keep yourself low and fight the fish from the same position. Each spot can produce a number of fish as long as you don’t stand up and announce your presence to the rest. A grassy bank makes it easy to stay on your knees and slide the fish right up into your lap. If you’re releasing the trout, stay on your hands and knees and slowly reach out to place it back in the water. You can then continue fishing the same hole from your concealed position.

Fishing these waters has the potential to be frustrating as you watch fish evacuate each hole you approach. But with a low profile and a gentle cast, every spot has the potential to produce a surprising number of trout.

For information on Winterhawk Outfitter’s ORVIS endorsed, summer fly fishing expeditions, give us a call at 970-487-3011 or contact us online. You can also find information on our fishing page.

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$1,000 Off Early Archery Hunts!

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Winterhawk

2011 Early Archery Elk

Winterhawk Outfitters is currently offering a special on our early archery elk hunts! Guided hunts during the first and second weeks of archery season are now being offered for $3,400, a savings of $1,000!

Drop camps during the first two weeks of archery season are being offered for $1,600 (4 or more hunters) or $2,000 (3 or fewer hunters), a savings of $600!

We’re offering a significant discount on these hunts in an effort to generate more interest in the early season. The late archery hunts are popular due to their close proximity to the rut. While it’s understandable that the rut draws a great deal of interest, these early seasons are a fantastic time to hunt elk!

One of the great benefits of hunting the first weeks of the year is that there has been no hunting pressure on the elk since last fall. This means an opportunity to hunt elk that are almost completely unpressured.

Our hunting tactics tend to be a little different this time of year as well. Those looking for a high adventure hunt will certainly enjoy the style of hunting that the early season affords. The approach often includes fast-paced spot-and-stalk or ambush tactics, setting up on well known travel routes and cow calling to close the distance. Bulls are often less wary this time of year and cow calling can be extremely effective.

As an added bonus, the early season is a beautiful time of year to be in the high country. Early September is spectacular in Colorado, typically with mild days and crisp nights.

Our hope in offering these discounts is to prove how exciting and productive the early archery hunts can be. If you’re interested or have questions, please give us a call at 970-487-3011 or contact us online. You can also check out our archery page for dates and details.

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Kids Hunt Free in 2012 – First Rifle Elk Season

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Winterhawk

In celebration of Winterhawk’s 30th anniversary and in a continuing effort to introduce young people to the sport of hunting, we’re offering free, fully guided elk hunts to kids ages 12 to 16 who are accompanied by a fully paying adult during the 1st rifle season. Or, one youth hunter may hunt free for every two adult hunters in an unguided drop camp.

This could be the perfect opportunity to take a child or grandchild on an unforgettable, big game adventure. Hunting plays a vital role in the health and future of our wildlife and habitat conservation. To ensure the future of this rich tradition, it falls upon us to pass it along to our kids. Even better, hunting helps form an irreplaceable family bond, creating memories that will last a lifetime. At Winterhawk Outfitters, we take this seriously and are eager to see more young people take up the sport.

This hunt runs from October 13-17, 2012 and includes five full days of hunting. The 1st rifle season is a limited license by drawing only. Applications are due the first Tuesday in April. There is a high probability of drawing this license without any preference points. We will take a limited number of youth hunters, on a first-come, first-serve basis. A valid hunter’s safety card is required by the state of Colorado.

If you’re interested in this opportunity, whether fully guided or drop camp, please call us at 970-487-3011 or contact us online for details. We’d be happy to walk you through the application process and answer any of your questions.

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New Year’s Resolutions For Elk Hunters: Shooting Practice

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Winterhawk

This is the first installment in a series of articles aimed at improving the success of elk hunters, guided and unguided. Over the past hunting season, we witnessed a great deal of missed opportunities that were totally preventable. We’d like to offer some tips to help hunters prepare for a wilderness elk hunt and increase their chances of bringing home a trophy.

In this first article, we’d like to discuss shooting practice. During the 2011 season, we saw far too many missed opportunities because of shooting mistakes and would like to offer our thoughts on the subject. It might come as a surprise, but over the past few years, we’ve seen more misses with rifles than with archery equipment. Bow hunters, who also missed shots during the archery season, aren’t off the hook here either.

In an effort to help our hunters avoid these frustrations in the future, here are some of our recommendations on shooting.

First, it is important to remember that nothing replaces consistent practice. With all the new technology in scopes, ammunition, rifles and bows, no shot is an automatic kill. Hunters need to know their weapons, and that means constant practice. No amount of technology can replace that.

Hunters heading west for a big game hunt should be shooting their rifles or bows year-round. Think about it this way. You’re using your hard-earned vacation time on this trip. You’re investing in the travel costs, outfitter fees, hunting licenses, clothing and gear. With all this invested into your hunt, certainly it’s worth it to spend a few days a month at the range throughout the year.

Even if you regularly hunt at home, big game hunting in Colorado could be a completely different experience. We suggest that our rifle hunters practice at distances out to 300 yards. Shots of this distance are very common where we hunt. Be sure you are regularly practicing shots between 200 and 300 yards for several months leading up to your hunt.

Bow hunters should be practicing consistently out to 60 yards. Even if your ethical limit is 40 yards (we’ll discuss shot ethics in our next article), practicing at longer distances will make you much more confident inside your comfortable hunting range.

Next, it is critical that hunters are ready to shoot under less-than-ideal conditions. This means out of breath, in bad weather and in awkward positions. When you feel you’re confident shooting at longer distances, add a new element to your practice. Sprint 50 yards, then pick up your rifle and shoot. Or practice shooting offhand and on one knee, knowing that when hunting on the ground, sitting and prone shots can be obstructed by vegetation.

Archers should use the same exercises. In an archery setup, a bull can always come in from a direction you didn’t expect. Get in a position on the ground facing away from the target. Then practice turning your torso toward the target and hold steady at full draw for 30 seconds before releasing. This will help you prepare for the awkward shooting angles that can often unfold while elk hunting.

Next, practice with speed. Start with an unloaded rifle. Pretend you’ve just spotted a bull and have only a few seconds to shoot before he disappears into the timber. Chamber a round, level your sights and pull the trigger. Perform this exercise over and over. Know confidently that if you’re presented with a short window, you can make it count.

Finally, get rid of any unnecessary distractions. For example, forget the shooting sticks. If you practice consistently, you won’t need them. And being confident without them means you’ll have those few precious seconds to level your crosshairs before that bull of your dreams walks out of your life forever.

Archers and rifle hunters, practice shooting in the clothing you will be wearing on your hunt. Make sure you can easily get into shooting position without being obstructed by a piece of your clothing or equipment.

Just because your rifle shoots one-inch groups from a bench at 100 yards, doesn’t mean you’ll nail that 30-inch mule deer buck at 250 yards when you’re sucking for oxygen at 10,000 feet. Or simply because your bow can shoot tight groups consistently at the indoor range, doesn’t mean you’re ready. Put yourself to the test in realistic situations and become confident in your ability to execute a clean, one-shot kill.

You’ve been dreaming of this hunt for months and you owe it to yourself to be ready for any opportunity. When that chance finally comes along, do everything you can to make sure the trophy goes home with you. For more practice tips, check out our previous article on the subject. Good luck practicing this off-season!

Our next article will focus on shot placement for elk, and ethical shot selection.

For information on hunting trips with Winterhawk Outfitters, visit our hunting page or feel free to contact us with questions.

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Exclusive Discount for Winterhawk Facebook Fans

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Winterhawk

Extreme Elk Magazine is the only magazine dedicated to elk hunting, with a focus on public land hunting. Founded by 7-time world champion elk caller and Elk101.com founder Corey Jacobsen, Extreme Elk will release its first issue in early 2012. Even better, Winterhawk  will be featured in the “Outfitter Spotlight” section in Extreme Elk’s premier issue.

Just for our Winterhawk fans on Facebook, we’re offering a 25% discount on a one-year subscription to Extreme Elk Magazine. For details, visit Facebook.com/WinterhawkOutfitters. Click the “Like” button to become a fan of Winterhawk and then use the special discount code posted on our Facebook page.

This discount is only available through January 10th!

 

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Dates Set For Colorado’s 2012 Hunting Seasons

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Winterhawk

Colorado elk hunters, make sure your 2012 hunting trip is blocked off on the calendar before anything else! The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (DPW) has already set dates for the 2012 hunting seasons.

If you’re planning to hunt in Colorado next year, check out the DPW’s hunt planner for specific season dates. If you’re hoping to hunt with Winterhawk Outfitters, either guided or in a drop camp, give us a call now to reserve your spot. Call us at 970-487-3011 or contact us online.

Need a great Christmas gift idea for your family? Why not a summer horseback vacation or fishing adventure? For more info, check out our summer vacation page or our fishing page. Of course, feel free to contact us with any questions.

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Storing Your Hunting Gear for the Winter

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Winterhawk

It’s the first day of December and winter has descended upon western Colorado. Snow is piling up in the high country and our Base Camp in the Flat Tops Wilderness has been closed down for the winter.

Over the past several weeks, we finished packing out our remote spike camps and winterizing equipment for the off-season. Our horses and mules are all back at our home ranch and we’re ready to start preparing for next year.

For Colorado elk hunters and big game hunters across the country, when your hunting seasons end, we recommend that you do some winterizing as well. Your hunting clothing and equipment needs care if it’s going to offer lasting performance.

Start with your clothes. Obviously, step one was washing them. But be sure you pay close attention to the materials and washing instructions. Use a mild detergent that’s safe, particularly for technical clothing. Rain gear and outerwear with a durable water repellant (DWR) finish, like softshells, should be washed in a detergent specifically made for these fabrics. Nikwax Tech Wash is one example.

Non-waterproof or water-resistant materials can be dried right away. If possible, hanging them to dry is preferable. This will help your clothing last longer, as dryers (especially with heat) cause fabrics to break down faster.

Next, it’s time to treat your waterproof and water-resistant items. After washing in a detergent like Nikwax Tech Wash, apply an appropriate waterproofing treatment. Brands like Nixwax make waterproofing solutions for both rain gear and softshell fabrics. Some are run through the washing machine in a separate load, while others can be sprayed on. These solutions will renew the DWR coating on your outerwear, which helps water bead and roll off.  Even on Gore-Tex materials, this thin outer layer needs to be renewed occasionally to help the garment perform at its best.

Once your clothes have been washed and waterproofed as necessary, place them in an airtight container and store them in a location that’s dry and out of direct sunlight. Moisture and exposure to sun or direct heat will cause fabrics to break down prematurely. Additionally, an airtight container will prevent your clothes from absorbing other smells from around your home throughout the year.

Moving on from your clothes, it’s time to take care of your boots. These are critical pieces of equipment for any hunter and they also need some care. After the season, clean all the mud, dirt and debris from your boots. Then, depending on your boot material, find appropriate footwear cleaner and wash your boots. Cleaning solutions can be found at most sporting goods stores for leather and other common boot materials.

After cleaning your boots, you’ll want to apply a solution for re-waterproofing. Again, use one that is made specifically for your boot’s material. This is particularly important if you own full-grain leather boots. Applying a conditioning treatment to the leather before you store them for the winter can make a big difference. This will prevent the leather from cracking and keep it in top condition.

Up next is your sleeping bag. When was the last time you washed it? If it has been a while, your down or synthetic insulation could probably stand to be cleaned. Start by picking up a sleeping bag detergent specifically made for down or synthetic bags, whatever your case may be. Follow the instructions carefully, particularly for drying.

And here’s a good tip: if your bag’s cleaning instructions call for air drying in a tumble dryer, try throwing a few tennis balls in with the sleeping bag. This will help break up wet clumps of down as it dries. After a good wash and dry, you should notice a renewed loft to your favorite sleeping bag and better insulation.

Finally, be sure and carefully clean any camping gear, backpacks, cooking utensils or other equipment that may be dirty. Waiting until next year to clean out your equipment can cause unnecessary corrosion. Don’t forget the small stuff, like wiping dirt from your tent stakes. Even little things like this will make your equipment last longer and your investment in good equipment go further. If nothing else, working on your gear will give you something to do as you dream of next season!

If you’d like information on a trip with Winterhawk, check out the links below. You might even find they make some of the most memorable gifts for your loved ones!

Happy Holidays!

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