Dayton - Pack Guide

[GameHunter1959]

I drew Dayton Quality Bull (Modern Firearm). I am looking to hire a guide or someone to pack me deep in. This is a once in a lifetime elk hunt for me. I would like to be put into position, where I can essentially guarantee I am going to fill my permit. We can speak via DM and I will give you my cell phone, so we can have a detailed conversation. Thank you for your time and help. GH

[trophyhunt]

Be careful on who you choose, as far as I know there are no guide areas in the dayton.  There is one particular guy that charges and he has a bad reputation for not following through and/or trespassing.  Good luck, I put in for that tag with 22 points and no draw. Lot's of access and with a bit of scouting you should do just fine on your own. 

[vandeman17]

Good luck. One bit of advice is to be weary if you ever talk to anyone who will "guarantee" you fill your tag. It is hunting, not killing. 

[Magnum_Willys]

The Blues are a blast to hunt and scout - there are guys on here that know the area that would likely be happy to be part of your hunt. Just ask.  I would if I had time off and knew Dayton.  Great tag!

[meatwhack]

The Dayton unit doesn't have any country in it that can't be Day hunted so I doubt it'd be beneficial to pack in somewhere. Having stock lined up to pack something out could be beneficial though.

[Mr Mykiss]

The Dayton unit doesn't have any country in it that can't be Day hunted so I doubt it'd be beneficial to pack in somewhere. Having stock lined up to pack something out could be beneficial though.

Or it's a unit where you could go on 6 day hunts in a day and see bulls on every hunt...

[rosscrazyelk]

I take it you never been to the unit.?
There is no place you can go in that unit worth being packed into.
Find a good place to camp and hit it hard

[mritech1]

Call Dave Waldron "Mt Cook", ask him if he would be willing to pack out meat only for you, he cant guide in the Dayton but can pack meat. Then call Monte at the forest service and ask for permission to hire Dave to pack meat only. Go hunt hard kill a bull anywhere and as deep as you want. Grab sat phone from pack, call Dave and say come get me! Dave is a great guy. Follow his request as he ask you to do so!

[elkchaser54]

Have you even looked at a map before??? "Deep" in to the Dayton unit ? and 1/2 of the unit is private haha.  I laugh when people put in for tags and haven't even looked at a map of the unit.

[mritech1]

Yes, hunted it last year as I drew that tag. You can get into areas that a solo hunter will loose a bull if not prepared. Unless of course you drive the roads like a few I watched doing. It's all a matter of perspective but I will say that if a guy kills a bull by himself in certain areas those horses are way worth the money. 

Sorry, just read the initial post. Unsure if your "deep" comment was directed at me or not but the above statement is still true.

[emac]

Yes, hunted it last year as I drew that tag. You can get into areas that a solo hunter will loose a bull if not prepared. Unless of course you drive the roads like a few I watched doing. It's all a matter of perspective but I will say that if a guy kills a bull by himself in certain areas those horses are way worth the money. 

Sorry, just read the initial post. Unsure if your "deep" comment was directed at me or not but the above statement is still true.

Pretty sure he was responding to the original post and not yours

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[elkchaser54]

Firearm season will be rough.  Just finding an area that's not covered in orange will be the hardest part.  Roads criss cross the entire unit and there will be camps, tents and pull behind trailers on every pull out.  I archery hunt and guys are setting up their camps for rifle season in September down there.  Be prepared for people but the elk are massive and a lot of the big bulls are well past there prime.  Head out early and just find a spot.  Elk are everywhere in the unit.  I haven't been anywhere in that unit that doesn't have elk roaming it.

[GameHunter1959]

Call Dave Waldron "Mt Cook", ask him if he would be willing to pack out meat only for you, he cant guide in the Dayton but can pack meat. Then call Monte at the forest service and ask for permission to hire Dave to pack meat only. Go hunt hard kill a bull anywhere and as deep as you want. Grab sat phone from pack, call Dave and say come get me! Dave is a great guy. Follow his request as he ask you to do so!

Thank you so much. Excellent advice...

[GameHunter1959]

Have you even looked at a map before??? "Deep" in to the Dayton unit ? and 1/2 of the unit is private haha.  I laugh when people put in for tags and haven't even looked at a map of the unit.

I have hunted in and around the Dayton GMU for 36 years.

I posted this is because I would like to gain different perspectives on how to go about planning my hunt. I wanted to find out if it would make any sense, to try and get myself packed in versus hiking back and fourth daily. I have never gone way down in those deep drainages. I have to be careful on how I go about my hunting. If I go down deep into an area and kill an elk; I have to be able to get the thing out. I would rather plan my hunt months in advance, ask plenty of questions, look at "All Options", which include using a guide, getting packed in, and meat packer, etc.

Based off the forum response; I will line up a meat packer.

And YES I have looked at the map of the GMU.

[GameHunter1959]

Yes, hunted it last year as I drew that tag. You can get into areas that a solo hunter will loose a bull if not prepared. Unless of course you drive the roads like a few I watched doing. It's all a matter of perspective but I will say that if a guy kills a bull by himself in certain areas those horses are way worth the money. 

Sorry, just read the initial post. Unsure if your "deep" comment was directed at me or not but the above statement is still true.

Good to know; thank you.

Deep into the GMU is all a matter of perspective. It was a bad choice of words on my part. I always read "Get way off the roads, and you will see elk." Way off the roads, as a solo hunter is deep - IMO
Knowing how steep the terrain is, I was hoping to get a response from the forum suggesting someone to pack me in, versus going up/down those mountains each day.

Just trying to plan in advance so I can have a successful hunt.

[HntnFsh]

Your a wise man. Good luck with your hunt. The only good thing I can say about hiking in and out every day. Besides the fact that you will be very tired. Is that those elk move a lot! Who knows what you will see on the way in or out! Good luck with your hunt!

[Magnum_Willys]

Keep in mind the packer may be busy. We had one lined up over there last year and made two 11 mile trips in to get the meat outa the canyon so the packer could haul it out 5.5 miles.  Well we finally got an answer back - he was busy for the next 5 days so we went back and took two more 11 mile round trips to pack the meat out.  Ended up having a 44 mile total packout for the two of us.  Pretty good hike for a 60 and 65 year old but all Good times!

[trophyhunt]

wow, you guys worked your butts off!!  That's brutal.

[Magnum_Willys]

5 days scouting/ hunting, 4 days packing. 99 miles total. Memorable hunt for sure! That sopping wet cape on that bull was all of a 100#.   

[Falcon]

Keep in mind the packer may be busy. We had one lined up over there last year and made two 11 mile trips in to get the meat outa the canyon so the packer could haul it out 5.5 miles.  Well we finally got an answer back - he was busy for the next 5 days so we went back and took two more 11 mile round trips to pack the meat out.  Ended up having a 44 mile total packout for the two of us.  Pretty good hike for a 60 and 65 year old but all Good times!

That right there is a pretty incredible feat.👊💥👊

[Falcon]

Can you please post a pic of that brute

[Magnum_Willys]

.

[Watimberghost]

 

[Jpmiller]

Keep in mind the packer may be busy. We had one lined up over there last year and made two 11 mile trips in to get the meat outa the canyon so the packer could haul it out 5.5 miles.  Well we finally got an answer back - he was busy for the next 5 days so we went back and took two more 11 mile round trips to pack the meat out.  Ended up having a 44 mile total packout for the two of us.  Pretty good hike for a 60 and 65 year old but all Good times!

That's pretty impressive. Congrats on the great bull.

[elkchaser54]

Where in the Dayton unit are 11 miles from a road??? That sounds like a hunting camp story, was it uphill both ways?

[HntnFsh]

Where in the Dayton unit are 11 miles from a road??? That sounds like a hunting camp story, was it uphill both ways?

Read it again. He said round trips. So That's 5.5 miles!

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Where in the Dayton unit are 11 miles from a road??? That sounds like a hunting camp story, was it uphill both ways?

Was wondering the same thing. 

[Magnum_Willys]

Weneha  11 miles round trip

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Weneha  11 miles round trip

Bud that is not the Dayton unit! Please tell me you had the weneha tag and not the Dayton tag!!!

[Magnum_Willys]

Weneha  11 miles round trip

Bud that is not the Dayton unit! Please tell me you had the weneha tag and not the Dayton tag!!!

You need a special tag ?

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Weneha  11 miles round trip

Bud that is not the Dayton unit! Please tell me you had the weneha tag and not the Dayton tag!!!

You need a special tag ?

Yeah a c tag.  See it shoot it 😁

[GameHunter1959]

I started my scouting this week. I am looking at each main road to get a feel for land access etc. The south end of the unit, seems to be much more accessible. I didn't see any elk, but it was to be expected; given the hot weather conditions. It got dark on me, so I only covered a small area. I will be back for multiple days next week, trying to locate how to access specific areas. I need to park and get out and hike some roads and trail heads. It would be nice to locate a couple of nice bulls prior to the opener to go after. Well see what happens.

Thank you to everyone that has contacted me and helped out. I am forever appreciative and grateful for all your help. I have been told I am a great pack mule. Feel free to contact me throughout the season. I am more than willing to help out.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Chase mountain. Take a right by bluewood.  Have fun! 

[GameHunter1959]

Chase mountain. Take a right by bluewood.  Have fun!

I will look for the 400" bull you tied up for me. Thanks!

PM GPS coordinates - LOL