All I can tell you is that the only times I've seen a herd of elk out in a meadow (like they always seem to be in the magazines) were either in the Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park, or they were 2+ miles away, WAAAAY up on the side of a mountain. Every elk I've seen that was within shootin' range was when I was creeping slowly and quietly through heavy timber.

First elk hunt, you must be pretty pumped! That is a pretty area over there, you should have a good time. Its also getting up there in the elevation, not sure exactly what but probably at least seven thousand feet.

I haven't been to Appleton, but I did spend some time in southern MN, and remember the elevation around there was at or around zero. Will this be your first time above a mile high?

If so and your not regularly active (if you are that's great, but if your not this is just friendly advice), you may want to start walking a few miles every other day from now until you come out. The reason is simple, to build up your cardio-vascular and maybe raise your red blood cell count. Elevation sickness does happen, not to everybody but it does to some. Its no fun packing and hiking if your already short of breath due to the thinner air.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info guys.

Don, I'm starting to realize I'm going to have to do some stalking thru some thicker areas from reading thru different forums. Is there certain types of trees that the Elk prefer over others? I'm going to be hunting the first week in Nov. I realize this is "post rut", and am not sure how this will affect the Elk's movements.

Bit, yes Appleton is pretty much at sea level. I've been lucky enough to be out to CO once before, hiking with a bunch of high school kids in Estes Park. I've has asthma since I was a kid so it was quite the experience!!! However now I'm going to a gym at least 3-4 times a week working on my cardio to get that kicked up. Plus I've made a visit to my Dr. to get a check-up and some med's to help me along. My biggest asset in this area is I know my limits. I just pace myself and I'll be fine. Great advice, thank you.

Another question: What kind of calls would work best for me hunting around this time?

By the way, YES I'm definitely pumped for my first Elk hunt. I've been hunting whitetail my whole life, but this is "the next step". I've taken some real nice ones here in WI and MI (both UP and the Lower Penninsula). The trip is coming up quick. I can't wait!!

Don't know how tight your schedule is, but if possible it might be worthwhile to spend one night in Denver, or at least in Dillon/Silverthorne, then on up to the camp. That way you'll most likely avoid the possibility of altitude sickness.

As for calls, personally, I've never had much success with calls. They won't be bugling, though, so the only call I would recommend would be a cow call.

We'll be getting out to CO Thursday morning and packing in Friday. Hunt starts on Saturday. Hopefully this will get me at least a bit acclimated to the altitude. What helps me most is knowing what it's going to be like. Last time I was in CO, our base camp was at 9,000ft which is just slightly lower than where it'll be this year.

Sounds like you have things covered in the altitude department, Meddie10, thats good.

I never have used calls, so can't really help in that area.

One thing I do find interesting is how high your hunting (9000+) for November. While I have not hunted this area before and have only seen it in the off season, this seems pretty high for early November. For instance it has already snowed at least once above 10,000 here and almost certainly will again by early November at or above 8000 feet (or lower) and start sticking. It seems to me that if there is significant snow the elk would be moving to a lower elevation around that time or before (could be after though too if it is a dry fall). Just something to consider...