Solo backpack rifle elk hunt

Join me as I search for wapiti during my backcountry rifle elk hunt in a remote and rugged area of the Rocky Mountains!
A special thanks to Shining Mtn Llama Rentals for providing extraordinary llamas!
shiningmountainllamas.com/
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Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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License code: FBB0GLZ0H7IEA5XY

[@matthewkramer6543]

Gosh dang, heck of a bull! Congrats on a massive accomplishment, solo 6x6 Rocky Mountain elk. Great video.

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks a lot! Yeh, it felt like an accomplishment. Not my hardest hunt but it was a good one.

[@jordanr8312]

Great work! Congratulations on the harvest and thanks for taking the time to share your hunt.

[@JSmithHunter]

You're welcome, glad to share it. Thanks for watching!

[@noelslater822]

Amen re: Solo Hunting! I admire you and those who do this for the sheer "freedom" and love of hunting. No commercialization or self promotion. Just doing it because well, "it's there." Well done on such a feat (with cold temps and blizzards no less!). Congrats on a great bull too!

[@JSmithHunter]

I appreciate that! Yeh, I don't make any money off my videos, and have no business interests, so my motivation comes from the challenges, struggles, lessons learned, immersion in nature, and hopefully meat in the freezer. The beauty of it is that anyone can do this. Thanks for watching!

[@noelslater822]

@@JSmithHunter RESPECT man. I totally understand where you're coming from. I guess what I struggle with is trusting myself soloing it. It goes against my common sense of using the "buddy system." Ultimately it comes down to trusting whether my abilities/skills could save me in a jam or when times get tough.

[@JSmithHunter]

That's understandable. I started hunting over 20 yrs ago, so I am pretty confident in my abilities. It is calculated risk though, and I know accidents or other unpredictable events can happen. I plan the best I can, make sure my InReach is working, and always try to play it safe. That's all you can do solo hunting. Happy hunting!

[@MountainPursuit108]

Great to see realistic expectations of weather and some early success on a Great Elk.

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks! My pack may be heavy but I'm always prepared for serious weather.

[@jaydubb8445]

Very impressive, nothing better in the world!!

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks a lot. Yeh, there's definitely something about getting it done and suffering a bit while deep in wilderness that has a way of making a man feel whole.

[@chasehanson45]

Nice shooting in that wind man

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks man! If the shot was much farther I would've been above my head with the wind.

[@larrysayers1377]

Good filming and narrating. Congratulations on a great hunt. 👍🏾

[@JSmithHunter]

I appreciate it. Thanks for watching!

[@AndrewPorter10]

Ive only hunted elk for two years. It is definitely not for the faint hearted. Good video and congrats!

[@JSmithHunter]

Thank you! Elk hunting sure is a lot of work, but if you're expecting that it can be a good time!

[@TinesntheMirror]

Congrats on a successful hunt and a nice bull! A really good job on filming enough in those eliminates to give us all the experience and still keeping it short! A really good job again very enjoyable 👍🏻👌

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I'm still trying to figure out the audio and video thing, especially when the batteries freeze up and I cant use the main camera.

[@unjarredoutdoors5513]

This was very well done. The grind you have is unmatched, and the dedication is real.

[@JSmithHunter]

I really appreciate that and am glad to see that came through in the film. Thanks for watching!

[@unjarredoutdoors5513]

I'm looking forward to more of your videos! Coming from upper left Washington here

[@stanleybuck4195]

Congratulations on your successful solo elk hunt. Thank you for sharing.

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks! Always happy to share, just a matter of trying to get good audio/video.

[@PNWild]

Really cool video man great work!

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks PNWild! You have some great films out there, so I really appreciate that.

[@kenw305]

Nice! You definitely made the correct choice- awesome video- thanks for sharing

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks! I definitely have no regrets, and he filled my freezer.

[@chriscarr6392]

Awesome hunt and great bull! Well done. Would love to hear the details of the rifle (make, caliber, and what bullet was used)! Thanks for sharing!

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks a lot! It's just a standard Remington 700 XCR II 7mm mag, shooting a handload- 175gr Berger with IMR4831. The Bergers get the job done, though I hope I don't hit a shoulder long-distance with one given the expansion.

[@chriscarr6392]

@@JSmithHunter Nice, I shoot the 7mm Rem Mag as well. Love it. Thanks for the reply!

[@Trent_Cox]

Great footage! Loved the terrain

[@JSmithHunter]

Thank you! There's something about that terrain that keeps pulling me back. I'll be back in there this fall with a bear tag.

[@SeedFiddler-kp4eg]

Thank you for the effort in recording your experience and sharing it with the rest of us. And congratulations! Nice bull. God bless, Miles

[@JSmithHunter]

Thank you, and glad to share! It's more or less a video diary for myself, but if others are enjoying it that's even better.

[@drsnooker1776]

Great hunt !

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks for watching!

[@paulwelch7558]

Great job,and congratulations on a beautiful bull. You definitely had your hands full backpacking the bull out by yourself. It's not for the faint of heart. The weather conditions were extreme,and the elk meat will be delicious and savor this hunt.

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks a lot. Definitely a lot of work packing meat out alone, but the llamas did help a bit at the end. The packout a couple years back was way worse but my film footage wasn't great, so no film. The meat is really great so maybe the cold helped. Thanks for watching!

[@joshsmith3650]

What a great adventure.

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks! Yeh, when I can do 1-2 hunts per year like this, I am a happy camper.

[@joshsmith3650]

@@JSmithHunter I just got into the ultralight pack in hunting about 3 years ago. I have never felt so free and in touch with nature. I need some mules or a llama to bring a hot tent and help pack out

[@JSmithHunter]

I hear ya about the ultralight hunting! I also enjoy going ultralight as well when it makes sense for what I'm doing. The llamas/mules/horses sure are nice for saving your body some wear and tear as well! The llamas saved me 28 miles of packing out meat, which helped me go into my next hunt nice and strong.

[@joshsmith3650]

@@JSmithHunter I must have missed the distance part of it. I’ve only been 15 miles in so far but in Oregon it’s hard to get beyond that

[@rickdavisdavis9190]

hardcore buddy-great bull & video. thanks for sharing

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks for watching and always happy to share!

[@davidcypher7781]

You did a nice job on the video.

[@Rcfreak57]

Great video!

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks man, I appreciate it!

[@victor.randolph]

Congrats on your bull. Thanks for bringing us along!

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks! Happy to share it!

[@Bustardhunts]

That was great, thank you

[@JSmithHunter]

Glad to share! Thanks for watching!

[@davelikesbike5045]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks a lot! Happy to share!

[@steveshackelford4911]

Awsome hunt A lot of hard work Thank you for sharing congratulations

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks! Yup, lots of hard work. Once a person prepares for and expects a lot of hiking and hard work, a hunt like this can be a lot of fun.

[@mccraydenver8005]

Yessir cant go wrong with Leupold Optics 👊 Great hunt man "Rain Snow or Shine still getting the Job Done" 💪

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks! Leupold is a great brand, and the VX-5 is a great blend of durability and weight. As for weather, hunts are always memorable with bad weather!

[@mattbroaddus5194]

Congratulations. Serious dedication and amazing result

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks Matt, I appreciate it!

[@mervinhershberger7284]

Stumbled across your channel ! Great hunt man ! I’ll be following along !

[@JSmithHunter]

Thank you! Btw, I'll be putting together a cool deer film soon.

[@opencountryhunter]

Great job! Awesome hunt!

[@JSmithHunter]

thanks man!

[@mkcl9073]

Beautiful hunt, beautiful shot, hope you and the family are enjoying him!

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks a lot! The elk is definitely being enjoyed. Now if I can get back the Euro mount already so I can stare at him on my wall!

[@kengarvin5341]

Awesome hunt, great stuff!

[@JSmithHunter]

Thank you! I wish the hunt was a bit longer, but no complaints.

[@huntertpj731]

Great work and awesome video. Way to get it done.

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks a lot! I'm happy to share my hunt.

[@briancorrion1144]

Good stuff!! Congratulations!

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@robyencopal9597]

Awesome bull! Great edit/video, really enjoyed it.

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks a lot! It's quite a bit of work, and I'm still learning a lot, but it's been a fun process.

[@toddschultz7477]

Good stuff

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks!

[@russhayes4882]

Awesome hunt !

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks! Yeh, with the elements and backcountry experience, I can't expect much more. Maybe more hunting time, but what can u do.

[@howardsibert9493]

Great job👍

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks!

[@flyslinger2]

Great job.

[@JSmithHunter]

thanks!

[@scott729]

Sweet. I have done a lot of Colorado backpack hunting, though usually from base camp to spike camps. A lot of fun and a lot of work. I had an Alaskan Guide backpack from Cabelas which isn't the most comfortable frame, but it was affordable and better than most at the time. Carried a lot of meat out on my back over the years. Nice bull, great shot.

[@JSmithHunter]

Awesome! There are so many options with base camp vs spike camp vs carrying camp on your back. Yeh, I wouldn't say thats a high-end pack, but whatever gets you out there is all that matters really. Thanks for watching!

[@timothychance3757]

Awesome hunt man. Congratulations on a great bull

[@JSmithHunter]

Thank you sir!

[@theworldsmostaveragehunter3911]

Amazing video! Congrats on a nice bull.

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks!

[@jpkoepse]

Good stuff.

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks for watching!

[@andrewmacaulay1585]

Excellent hunt New Brunswick Canada 🇨🇦

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks for watching!

[@tonymorrison5023]

awesome hunt

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks man!

[@montanaoutdoorsman2300]

Well done my man, well done.

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@kdkulhanek]

Great video amigo! Subscribed

[@JSmithHunter]

Thank you!

[@alanjones3208]

Great hunt. Amazing views thats how i like to do it.

[@JSmithHunter]

There's nothing like high point glassing. Thanks for watching!

[@pauldickson1495]

Awesome. Nice to see how positive you kept packing out all the meat alone . A lot of people complain about how difficult it is to. Congratulations. What caliber & bullet did you use . Worked really well

[@JSmithHunter]

Thank you sir! I've had harder pack-outs and I think Ive gotten used to the struggle. I used a 7mm mag with 175 gr Hunter Elite Bergers. That bullet puts animals down quickly, and makes a bigger hole than the 160 gr Accubonds.

[@pauldickson1495]

@@JSmithHunter very good. Yup they shut the lights off quickly for you. Thanks for the reply. Good luck and be safe hunting.

[@codywitt2718]

Nice work

[@JSmithHunter]

thanks!

[@marklaramie7393]

Good job man, exciting for sure👍

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks a lot! It was a short hunt, but somehow the pack-out always makes a good story too.

[@marklaramie7393]

For sure it does, it was all good man, start to finish, the hunt alone is hard enough, just bringing the necessities, but then the camera equipment also, and filming, you did a great job, with or without killing one, thanks for posting it !

[@marklaramie7393]

Have you read the book One With The Wilderness, by Mike Mitten ? I really enjoyed that book, I met the author Mike in 2009, your video reminded a lot of that book, enough for me to bring it back out to read, thank you

[@JSmithHunter]

I appreciate the kind words! It makes filming a hunt worth it when I can inspire others or transport them to the outdoors for 15 min that day. I haven't read that book, but I'll plan to read it based on what you said. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@okydok7895]

ive been wondering if dehydrated food can be processed in a zip- lock bag (without melting the bag). ? did you compensate your aim for the severe wind... or were you close enough so that the bullet wasn't pushed-off it's aimed trajectory? Finally..does the Steri-Pen result in equally clean water as filtered water? I'm a meat hunter who likes to hunt alone. So i really relate to/appreciate your style of hunt!

[@JSmithHunter]

The key is to use the thick freezer bags and you'll be fine. I have the Hyperlight pouch to hold unto the hot bag since it's too hot to hold itself. I held for the front of his shoulder, roughly 2-3 MOA off. I had no idea if that was enough since the wind was stronger over the valley and was changing directions, but I guessed right. The SteriPen only works for mostly clear water as the UV has to penetrate all of the liquid. So if you try to purify stock tank water you may get sick, and it'll look and taste just as nasty as if not purified. Filters freeze in cold weather, so extra care needs to be taken with those. Thanks for watching and happy solo meat hunting!

[@brianrobinson1975]

impressive

[@JSmithHunter]

thank ya!

[@jakef1977]

Cool hunt! That is a beautiful bull congratulations! I have a quick question where did you get that thermometer? Its pretty cool

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks a lot! It's the ThermoWorks zipper-pull from Garage Grown Gear. Great source for other backcountry supplies as well.

[@AntonioBustamante-dd9yr]

🔥

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks!

[@boondockerjohns7]

lol I would have called horse or mule guys and rode instead of walked with llamas! Sweet bull man nice work!

[@JSmithHunter]

Where I hunted only licensed guides can retrieve your meat. i called up the local guides and all of them don't pack meat unless they guide you. Guess it's not worth their time. I was only able to secure 2 llamas also. Plus I would feel cheated if I didn't have to pack out some meat, almost like enduring a form of suffering as a way to show respect to the animal. Thanks for watching!

[@M.H357]

Congratulations, way to go. What time of the year was this hunt? do you think the wood stove was a necessity?

[@JSmithHunter]

Thank you! This was the end of Oct into Nov. When using a single-walled teepee like the Seek Outside Cimarron next to a creek in a canyon, I think it's critical. The condensation builds up on my sleeping bag and in the morning I dry it out with a morning fire. With my 0 degree sleeping bag, I don't sleep with the fire going, so it's not needed for sleeping warm. For my late season hunts, it's hard for me to leave it at home over 2.5 lbs of weight, especially with a base camp.

[@kevinemard5370]

Great job man i do this every year but i use an atv to get around and when i get into an area that i see fresh sign i stop and start looking around on foot to know why they are there and call put scent around to try keep them in the area

[@JSmithHunter]

Nice. I can see how having an ATV would be great and get you around quickly. That's the way to do it with sign- if the sign is a year old, move on! Thanks for watching!

[@johnnytx8444]

Great Job ! You have inspired me to work on my skills and hopefully do a solo Elk hunt someday. What caliber rifle did you use ?

[@JSmithHunter]

That's great to hear! it is a 7mm mag. I shoot everything with the gun. in fact I just burned out the barrel and will have a new barrel in the mail soon.

[@StrateOutdoors]

Great solo hunt and incredible shot! well done how much does a lama guide charge to come pack that out for you?

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks a lot! The llamas I rented from Shining Mtn Llamas were $85/day, and you retrieve your meat yourself with them, since anyone coming with pack animals would need a hunting guide license.

[@CraigFerrieri]

awsome hunt i give you a lot of credit for doing it solo. what state are you in i enjoy your videos

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks a lot! I live in CO but I hunt other states as well, and I try not to give out too much info. So many great hunts out there to be had! As for hunting solo, it's almost a spiritual experience for me, and therapeutic.

[@pastorjosh44]

Incredible. What was your adjustment for the wind?

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks man! I held for 2 MOA into the wind, or roughly toward the front of the shoulder. just a guess and it worked out.

[@maalki_ngax]

Heck of a shot!!! Dumped him!!

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks man! Yeh, that Berger did its job!

[@ManuelMartinez-wv7he]

You are a beast! Awesome work

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks! Heh, there are much more difficult hunts out there but I appreciate that.

[@Saa45MIV]

Man what an awsome hunt. Nice bull. The only thing I’m wondering is did the meat freezing wreck it? You’d have to de thaw it to cut in and then freeze it again wouldn’t you?

[@JSmithHunter]

Thank you! Ive had many deer and elk quarters freeze overnight and the meat always seems to turn out well. It takes a few days for them to defrost. I'll take frozen quarters over hot ones any day. Thanks for watching!

[@madman432000]

Nice job. Kind of a bummer carrying that 75lb and tagging out on first day. Could have got by with 40lb pack. 😊

[@JSmithHunter]

Yeh, I really hate packing out 15 lbs of food too, but I'm willing to pay that price for early success. I actually had big plans for that hunt with many spots to check out. Thabks for watching!

[@JSmithHunter]

Oh man, that's no good! But hopefully you were able to quickly adjust and make it work.

[@ramos208]

Nice job. What’s the thermometer you have?

[@JSmithHunter]

Thanks sir! Its the ThermoWorks Zipper-pull.

[@JesusRamirez-kf7fq]

Where did you get the thermometer that’s attached to your backpack?

[@JSmithHunter]

Garage Grown Gear is where I found the thermometer. Lots of cool, unsual things there. Thanks for watching!

[@AntonioBustamante-dd9yr]

What caliber is that? Is that same rifle you took the 2 bears 🐻 with?

[@JSmithHunter]

7mm mag, same one as on that bear hunt. I shoot everything with this gun. Thanks for watching!

[@AntonioBustamante-dd9yr]

Thanks for the content! Really enjoy watching your videos!!

[@mareks205]

what'd you record on?

[@JSmithHunter]

GoPro 11 on an extending selfie stick with a Rhode Videomic. It was dying constantly because of the cold (still trying to figure out how to deal with that), then I would use my S22 Ultra phone. The phone has horrible audio in the wind which I realized after I got home. Always more to learn when filming. Thanks for watching!

[@richardellsworth840]

This is real hunting. You vs. nature. Not sitting up in a tree stand ans waiting for animals to come to you. No effort or skill, just sitting.

[@JSmithHunter]

I haven't ever sat in a tree stand, but I can't imagine it would offer the variety I get to experience. Thanks for watching!

[@user-qk4qr2zg9h]

What caliber ? Bullet ?

[@JSmithHunter]

7mm mag, 175 gr Berger, running about 2800 fps. It's put down a handful of animals very quickly. Thanks for watching!

[@user-qk4qr2zg9h]

@@JSmithHunter I’ve taken 4 bulls with 7mag. Hornady 162gr eldx. 3 dropped 1 stumbled 15 yards then down. Great shot. Thanks for the reply

[@Diesel700]

I have a dumb idea. How can I contact you?

[@JSmithHunter]

A dumb idea sounds like you're cooking up an adventure! Find me at Jsmith_hunter on Instagram. I just got that account so there's nothing on it, but I'll start developing it.

[@giuseppejones1554]

a 73 pound pack is ridiculous and irresponsible. You need to cut weight where you can. That being said the videography was very impressive for being solo and also hunting.