I have a hunting trip for Marco Polo sheep booked for Nov./14 coming up.I live at 1,450 ft. how do I handle the effects of 14,000ft. on dope I have developed at home? Would using a G7 BR2 rangefinder be a solution for shots out to say 800yds. excepting the effect of wind they claim to have everything else covered.
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Hunting at high altitude ?
- Thread starter matdan2
- Start date
While there are undoubtedly affects of hi altitude on "dope," I would be more concerned with the effects of high altitude on constitution.
Most shots go game are taken at modest range, and guides worth paying are very adept at getting their clients within that range. But, getting there is the trick...
Most shots go game are taken at modest range, and guides worth paying are very adept at getting their clients within that range. But, getting there is the trick...
really? 14,000 ft?
I live at 5000, and often camp at 13K+ - but I would be surprised if you can get to 14K this time of year. That would be the tip of only a few peaks in Colorado, and we already have a lot of snow.
Regardless I agree with hlee - you biggest challenge is going to be the effects of altitude on your physical condition. You should move up in stages - while giving some time to acclimate to the altitude. I would suggest staying for a couple of days at a lower altitude somewhere around 9K-10K to see if you have any negative affects.
You can also try acetazolimide which can be taken to help limit negative effects of altitude - check with your DR since its prescription.
Your going to need to drink LOTS of water - especially with exertion and during winter (our driest season). Some possible negative effects of high altitude are:
1. headaches
2. nausea
3. difficulty breathing
4. death
Because of the last 2, I highly suggest some time acclimating at high altitude (ideally where your going to be hunting) while you have easy access to assistance (and not just another hunting buddy from low altitude).
I live at 5000, and often camp at 13K+ - but I would be surprised if you can get to 14K this time of year. That would be the tip of only a few peaks in Colorado, and we already have a lot of snow.
Regardless I agree with hlee - you biggest challenge is going to be the effects of altitude on your physical condition. You should move up in stages - while giving some time to acclimate to the altitude. I would suggest staying for a couple of days at a lower altitude somewhere around 9K-10K to see if you have any negative affects.
You can also try acetazolimide which can be taken to help limit negative effects of altitude - check with your DR since its prescription.
Your going to need to drink LOTS of water - especially with exertion and during winter (our driest season). Some possible negative effects of high altitude are:
1. headaches
2. nausea
3. difficulty breathing
4. death
Because of the last 2, I highly suggest some time acclimating at high altitude (ideally where your going to be hunting) while you have easy access to assistance (and not just another hunting buddy from low altitude).
wait - Nov 14? ahh - guessing that is next year ! Great ! Lots of time to prepare. During your time aclimating to high elevation - you can verify your dope ! We have lots of National Forest at higher elevation - so just bring your equipment and setup a target and verify with your BR2 !
Also, if you are going to be at 14k for significant amounts of time I'd use Viagra before acetazolimide. Of course you don't want to tell your tent mate that (unless she is a hot guide)
IIRC the Army did a study as well, and found something like 80% of men they surveyed had high altitude mountain sickness. So, its pretty prevalent if you don't acclimatize. My family feels its effects at various altitudes. We use acetazolimide and that seems to resolve the issue for us - just make sure to start a few days in advance, and spending time acclimatizing as well sure helps.
Do NOT mess around with this.
About 20 years back, while riding my motorcycle cross country, I had done about 600 miles that day, mostly at lower elevations. Started to feel a bit of fatigue and a headache coming on so elected to stop in Breckenridge for the night. Elevation 9600 feet or so.
Pulled up to the Holiday Inn right off the highway and requested a room. Desk clerk looked up at me and said "Of course, sir. Why don't you take a seat over there, I'll have someone bring you a glass of juice and get working on setting up your room." What nice folks here, thought I. A few minutes later, in walks 2 EMTs with an O2 bottle and a mask. Stop at the front desk and the clerk head points to me. Before I could more than say boo, they had me masked up and insisted I drink the juice and then some water.
Turns out the clerk noticed finger nails and lips blue and some mild disorientation (slurred speech, wandering eyes).
They had had 3 guys fly in from NY the week previous who promptly headed for the bar right after check in. One guy tells his buddies, after 3 or more cocktails, he is feeling a little jet lagged and headed for his room. Next morning buddies couldn't rouse him and it turns out nobody could, he died in his bed that night.
About 20 years back, while riding my motorcycle cross country, I had done about 600 miles that day, mostly at lower elevations. Started to feel a bit of fatigue and a headache coming on so elected to stop in Breckenridge for the night. Elevation 9600 feet or so.
Pulled up to the Holiday Inn right off the highway and requested a room. Desk clerk looked up at me and said "Of course, sir. Why don't you take a seat over there, I'll have someone bring you a glass of juice and get working on setting up your room." What nice folks here, thought I. A few minutes later, in walks 2 EMTs with an O2 bottle and a mask. Stop at the front desk and the clerk head points to me. Before I could more than say boo, they had me masked up and insisted I drink the juice and then some water.
Turns out the clerk noticed finger nails and lips blue and some mild disorientation (slurred speech, wandering eyes).
They had had 3 guys fly in from NY the week previous who promptly headed for the bar right after check in. One guy tells his buddies, after 3 or more cocktails, he is feeling a little jet lagged and headed for his room. Next morning buddies couldn't rouse him and it turns out nobody could, he died in his bed that night.
To answer your shooting question: learn about Density Altitude - how to measure it and how input it in your ballistic program.
I live at about 700-800 above sea level. A buddy and I went to Colorado a few years back and while there we drove up to Pikes Peak, 14,200 ft. we got out of the car and walked about 50 ft. to the visitor center and it felt like someone had me in a bear hug. I couldn't expand my lungs enough to satisfy my oxygen need. I couldn't imagine even attempting to do any climbing or exertion of any kind. I would not have made it. Heed all the advice you read here!
14,000' is big elevation! While in the Navy I was at sea level. Got out and settled in WY at 5100'. It took 6 months for me to not get dizzy after mild work. Could be because I'm an out of shape pig. Ask your guide if he has any suggestions.
Your bullet will fly flatter at higher elevation. Use a program like on Hornady's web site to compare the effects of elevation. Unless these sheep are on the coast, your humidity will be less also - causing flatter trajectory and quick physical dehydration.
Your bullet will fly flatter at higher elevation. Use a program like on Hornady's web site to compare the effects of elevation. Unless these sheep are on the coast, your humidity will be less also - causing flatter trajectory and quick physical dehydration.
Using known DA will be a good start for a firing solution.
As for the hunt...WOW, i'd love to hear more about it. What country is this going to take place? And what rifle/caliber are you taking?
up to an 800 yard shot at 14,000ft...love to hear more...
As for the hunt...WOW, i'd love to hear more about it. What country is this going to take place? And what rifle/caliber are you taking?
up to an 800 yard shot at 14,000ft...love to hear more...
I just played around with the JBM calculator.
I kept the basic info the same except for altitude-
180 grain 308 @ 2700 FPS
Sea level
300 yards
Drop -14.2" 2183.9 FPS
600 yards
Drop -93.9" 1725.3 FPS
At 14,000 feet - everything else the same
At 300 yards
Drop 12.9" 2389.4FPS
600 yards
Drop 79.5" 2096 FPS
So 79" vs 93" drop at 600 yards.
So 14" at 600 might be a nasty wound or a miss....
I am sure for a good hunt, they will give you time to acclimate for altitude. It is amazing how the thin dry air can dehydrate you as fast as a hot desert.
Build a few tables from the JBM or similar calculator.
Shoot a few shots to validate that the Baggage Handlers did not mess up your rig, shoot at 100 and 200 to figure out which dope chart you made works for your set up.
From the guide, what is the distance of a typical shot?
I kept the basic info the same except for altitude-
180 grain 308 @ 2700 FPS
Sea level
300 yards
Drop -14.2" 2183.9 FPS
600 yards
Drop -93.9" 1725.3 FPS
At 14,000 feet - everything else the same
At 300 yards
Drop 12.9" 2389.4FPS
600 yards
Drop 79.5" 2096 FPS
So 79" vs 93" drop at 600 yards.
So 14" at 600 might be a nasty wound or a miss....
I am sure for a good hunt, they will give you time to acclimate for altitude. It is amazing how the thin dry air can dehydrate you as fast as a hot desert.
Build a few tables from the JBM or similar calculator.
Shoot a few shots to validate that the Baggage Handlers did not mess up your rig, shoot at 100 and 200 to figure out which dope chart you made works for your set up.
From the guide, what is the distance of a typical shot?
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