I drew my Elk Tag for the first rifle in Colorado

[MTTRAP]

Ok I am in I have booked a hunt and drawn a tag and am well on my way. I am getting into shape and getting set to shoot longer distances then what I have been used to . I will be hunting about 2 hours west of Colorado Springs at 9000 to 11500 foot so know my breathing will be difficult at best seeing I live on an island in the Atlantic Ocean.
My question is the following: The time of year I will be hunting is October 15thy to Oct 20th what is the avrage temps for those elevations at that time of year? Should I expect snow ( I am already planning on the good chance of it) or poor weather ? any thoughts and information would be very apprieacated. Thanks......................

[DocHolladay]

i would suggest calling the outfitter you booked with and ask them what the weather is usually like that time of year where you will be hunting. if you didnt book with an outfitter, call the Chamber of Commerce in the town you are going to stay in and ask them, they will tell you. plus the internet is a wonderful resource in finding out the weather in a certain location.
heres one link:http://www.cityrating.com/cityweather.asp?city=Colorado+Springs
and another for the date you told us: http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KCOS/1972/10/15/PlannerHistory.html?dayend=20&monthend=10&yearend=1972
as for 9000ft. to 11500ft. i couldnt tell you that. this is the weather for Colorado Springs.

[MTTRAP]

Thanks Doc . This will be my first trip west in almost 30 years. I am very excited and yes I do have an outfitter so will talk with him also. Just looking for tips and suggestions from all you salts out there . Again Thanks

[NorCal]

Best of luck to you! I was drawn for the second season that coincides with Buck season. Didn't get drawn for my deer tag but I'll try to buy one over the counter when I get there. The last year I went i was in good shape. Two things that helped me the most was the stairmaster and the second was doing shoulder/upper back exercises. It seems like when I carried a pack around for a week or so my shoulders and upper back got to me. Just food for thought. Good luck!

[MTTRAP]

Thanks for the info. I know that it won't an easy thing to do but I am trying hard to get in shape. I am fortunate to live in an area that has a lot of mountians ( well nbot what I will be facing) but none the less I am able to hike them on a regular basis. Also carying a pack with sand bags in it. I am enjoying the outdoors and getting a workout. Also riding my bike to work every day rt about 10 miles. Hope that is going to put me in shape for the hunt. Thanks again for your help...Rick

[Airborneguy]

Well, how'd it go? Hope you bagged a monarch.

[MTTRAP]

Well he wasn't the biggest bull in the woods 4x4 was good enough for me . The eating is great and the hunr was fantastic...........

[Airborneguy]

Nice, congrats! I am hoping to bag one next year, can't wait.

[NorCal]

Shot a cow 5 minutes from camp. Much easier than the last time. We were able to hang, skin, quarter and bag it right where she lay. I love my little pullies my Dad made for me. Had to carry the quarters a little ways down the hill to my horses, but it worked out great. Had four "run ins" with outfitters. Some of those guys are just plain jerks. Met one who was really nice. Already thinking about next year.

[cinrds]

Congrats on on your draw. If you can I would get there a day or two before you start hunting to let your body adjust to that thin air.

[NorCal]

I had the entire month of October off and I spent a good deal of it around 6000'. We hunt between 9000 and 12000'. I had some great big mulies picked out to kill this year, but neither me or my buddy drew tags for'em. Next year.