Notching your tag in the off season

[JPhelps]

What is everyone currently doing to tip the odds in there favor come this hunting season?

Similar to athletes showcasing their skills on gameday hunters only get a short season to make it happen and be sucessful.  The majority of the athletes skills and understanding comes through practice.  I approach elk season the same way. 

I try to better myself by;
*gaining knowledge
*looking at new areas
*physical conditioning
*fine tweaking my equipment
*shooting my bow
*scouting and game cameras
*etc

I'm always curious what others do.

I'm currently only working on physical conditioning (lifting 3 days and cardio 2 days a week), getting ready to start setting up the new bow, and researching a few new areas.  Come July I can't wait to get out and put my glass on some bulls and hang cameras.

[ellensburgpo]

Internet scouting

Google earth etc trying to learn about new units so when the snow melts I have an idea where to start scouting

Completing physical therapy so I can get back to a normal workout routine

Reading the proposed 2013 regs trying to come up with a plan to draw a bull tag again this year

Researching gear in anticipation of going on the high hunt this year

[headshot5]

I check out new areas every chance I get.  February is a perfect time.  The leaves are still off offering visibility of game trails coming together and game animals are generally still in a lot of the same locations they will be in November.  Plus a bonus possibility of picking up a couple of blacktail sheds every time I go out.  Also, I cut a lot of hunting trails at this time of year, that way when it greens up I can do a little maitenance and be good. It is also a good time for finding trees for stands.  Right now with the leaves off you can get a great idea of how it will look when you cut you shooting lanes in.  Plus this time of year you can take a predator call during scouting trips and thin out a few yotes.  Nothing better.   

[uplandhunter870]

for me this off season is different that most, im graduating college in the spring and have no idea where ill be come next hunting season or even when next hunting season will start. usually im scouting new potential areas and watching the areas that have proven successful and watching deer so with that;

im mainly working on physical conditioning, in the gym 7 days a week working on improving cardio, strength training and overall just trying to become leaner. im also researching new gear, not that i need much. and im always shooting something bow rifle or shotgun to keep the shooting skills honed and improved.

[BLUEBULLS]

I’m working my butt off trying to earn enough money/vacation time to hunt a couple/few states.

Also, physical training but that’s not necessarily just for elk alone. Cardio 3-5 times a week and strength 5-6 days a week.

[colockumelk]

I’m working my butt off trying to earn enough money/vacation time to hunt a couple/few states.

Also, physical training but that’s not necessarily just for elk alone. Cardio 3-5 times a week and strength 5-6 days a week.

Geez BLUEBULLS you are a beast. You work out 8-11 days a week?

[Woodchuck]

Dedicated right there. 

[hogsniper]

Scout, scout and scout some more!  I will be out shed hunting and roaming the hills looking for new elk/deer country!  It is the only way to be successful in my opinion.  While out looking for horns i will be looking for rubbed trees, wallows and anything else that might put me on some more elk next year! 

[BLUEBULLS]

I’m working my butt off trying to earn enough money/vacation time to hunt a couple/few states.

Also, physical training but that’s not necessarily just for elk alone. Cardio 3-5 times a week and strength 5-6 days a week.

Geez BLUEBULLS you are a beast. You work out 8-11 days a week?

yeah and most of my workouts are 27 hours a day!

[westside Elkhunter]

Currently working on-
Fitness- working out five days a week.
Scouting(aka Shed hunting)
Studing maps and google earth
Hike some new spots more that if found deer and elk hunting.
Upgrading some of my gear.
Hopefully buy some trail cameras to set up this summer.
And also do some high country scouting for the high buck hunt

[Landowner]

I feed 'em, albeit reluctantly at times. 

[JLS]

I feed 'em, albeit reluctantly at times.

Thank you.  I'm sure you don't get told this enough, but I for one greatly appreciate it.

[D-Rock425]

H20hunter will be joining my elk camp this September and he has already been cutting a few pounds.

[THINK_N_ELK]

I am waiting for my tracking device to come in the mail. So I can place it on Jason's truck,  and check the areas he is scoping out.  That way maybe I'll be able to knock down a toad like his from this past season. 

[D-Rock425]

Now you're thinking.

[EyeTooth]

So far, just put in for Wyoming elk and am looking for raffle ticket opportunities. Also impatiently waiting for the washington 2012 harvest reports.

[JPhelps]

Hey Now

[xd2005]

Just had hip surgery, so hoping I'm recovered enough by fall to get out there. Until then, physical therapy, physical therapy, physical therapy. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

Living where I live I should not need to scout anything  Put since I live in a state that has become retarted I just have to drive by and look     Today going to work    not monsters but will be shooters by fall .....

[EyeTooth]

I would like to be first in line to request a piggy back ride in with Jason on one of his hunts. Of course I'll wear a blind fold all the way in, except while he’s hunting, so I can enjoy the show, and then you can blind fold me again for the ride out. I’ve seen all of the Primetime outdoors videos on YouTube and would love to be able to see Roosevelt elk being called in during the rut! I wish there were more videos. They’re great! You could even use me as part of your exercise routine Jason. Strap me top your back and go. I’ve hunted a lot of elk in western Washington, but just can’t get all the way back to the end of the roads any more. Nice bull Jason! And thanks to you and all of your friends for the great videos!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I feed 'em, albeit reluctantly at times.

That is great wildlife enhancment! If you need anything such as SEA FOOD let me know? I would be able to deliver as long as you keep feeding and posting pics!!! PS: i dont even want to hunt your vast property! Just keep the pics coming. Thanks   Andy

 as for the subject at had: Shoot all the time, keep up on six game cameras from Buckley to Billings. And eat the purest of protein between workouts!

[coachcw]

crossfit till i wanna puke . and trying to figure out how to pull a quality tag !

[JPhelps]

And eat the purest of protein between workouts!

Kind of an ironic circle that I use the elk meat to get me better at killing elk

[JPhelps]

Here is the quote I have on the inside of my gym bag that I am forced to look at everyday before I workout.  It is simple but describes my entire off season.  My wife asked me why I am still working out so much, looking for new spots, buying trail cams, etc... because I killed a good bull this year    Some people will never get what it is all about.

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail" - Benjamin Franklin

[kenzmad]

I,along with alot of others will wait til september and start asking questions on here. You will know it's us because our clubs code states we must include the following sentence " I am not looking for anyone's honey holes"

[Yankee]

I'm committed to getting in the best shape possible for next season, have been doing P90X for a couple months now.  I just bought a new bow, and broke down and got a membership to the Kenmore range so I can practice as much as possible. 

[xd2005]

I,along with alot of others will wait til september and start asking questions on here. You will know it's us because our clubs code states we must include the following sentence " I am not looking for anyone's honey holes"

You have too many posts.   

[cwuhunter]

luck

[xd2005]

Me? I'm buying a bunch of GPS locater devices and planning a big summer Hunt-WA get together. When everyone's preoccupied at the event, I'm sending my daughter around to everyone's vehicles to attach the GPS devices. Come October I'll know everyone's honey holes! 

[ellensburgpo]

luck

That doesn't hurt either

[EyeTooth]

JPhelps,
That’s a splendid quote to carry with you. It’s says it all. I believe that IS why you are where you are as a hunter. I hope you don’t mind me saying this. Do it as good as you can for as long as you can, and never forget your wife and family because it won’t last forever.

[EyeTooth]

Just to be clear, I’m not asking for any hunting spots. I also don’t want to get away from the intent of the start of this thread. I am just trying to have fun with someone that I admire, by joking about a piggy back ride. I haven’t bought a big game tag in Washington for several years, but still really enjoy trying to help my friends draw special permits and being able to go with them when they do. I love helping people get elk! These days my scouting usually begins when the harvest reports come out, which then becomes a continuation of quite a few years of research into the areas with the best chance to draw and harvest any elk.

[JPhelps]

JPhelps,
That’s a splendid quote to carry with you. It’s says it all. I believe that IS why you are where you are as a hunter. I hope you don’t mind me saying this. Do it as good as you can for as long as you can, and never forget your wife and family because it won’t last forever.

I hope you aren't talking about my wife and family not lasting forever    (Just playing and I know what you mean).

I am fortunate that I learned to value my time afield at a young age and get everything out of it, even though I constantly have to remind myself to NOT EVER give up or I will regret it.  I won't lie though I am very driven to be successful because I know I won't be able to go at this pace forever.

Eyetooth, sometimes going along is just as fun.    Trevor's peaches ridge tag was one of the most memorable hunts I have been on and didn't have a tag in my pocket.

[GoPlayOutside]

I read and research everywhere: magazines, books, maps, forums, etc.  I make notes and jot them down on my individual state maps.  After years of doing this, I am starting to get a few places in a few states that the "little notes" are adding up.  This is how I pick my new hunting spots.  If they are good, I stay and learn the area for a couple years.

I love watching videos of awesome looking elk country, and then researching that area because the camera man slipped up and filmed the Trailhead sign.  Pause and Zoom works great these days.

When I stay Home (Washington), I eat lots of carrots and work on my eyesight.  Sometimes it's hard seeing a "True Spike"

[jackelope]

crossfit till i wanna puke . and trying to figure out how to pull a quality tag !

I think you got it figured out, Coach.

[rosscrazyelk]

I am not much into the working out thing but I probabaly should be I could loose a couple pounds I guess. I never really think about it since I out hike almost everyone I go with. They call me a mt goat... I always hike  to keep my lungs and legs showtime ready.  I also scout and learn more every year.. I also use this site to try and steal peoples Ideas. LOL

[D-Rock425]

I really just enjoy scouting trips and it has paid off for me in recent years.

[Commando]

I will be lucky if I get out at all this season. I've got my first child being born in June. Now with that being said, I am working out 3-4 times a week. Mainly cardio. I've really let the cardio go since getting out of the Marines a while back. Besides worki g out I am planning on shooting my bow all the time reading lots to figure this elk hunting out ( I just recently stated elk hunting) and hopefully do some scouting for the following season.

[Landowner]

I really just enjoy scouting trips and it has paid off for me in recent years.

No substitute for the scouting, and knowing the ground you hunt. 

[Bean Counter]

Picking better units to hunt in. I had a good series of years but 2012 was dry  I hunted just about as hard but obviously didn't pick good units because the animals were few and far between.

[Stizz]

I'm a firm believe in the fact that you get good at what you train for. Therefore in my mind the best way to get in shape for elk hunting...is elk hunting. That hunting may be the magical couple of weeks that takes place during the actual season...or the rest of year- which in reality is also part of the hunt and should be treated as such. In my free time I like to hike my elk areas (summer and winter grounds), not just scouting, but understanding the animals as well as the land..and how the two interact. That could be scouting for elk and sign, checking out the terrian, shed hunting, or just hiking. I think of it as inserting myself as a link in the food chain. Between the training of being out in the woods year round and the knowledge gained from scouting on a regular basis...by the time the season comes you feel more or less as a part of the herd.

[JPhelps]

I can't wait to get out and start scouting 

Spent an hour yesterday practicing my calling and went for a 45 minute Jog with the daughter in the stroller.  Combining family time with getting better.

[JPhelps]

Plus making calls for 7 hours yesterday.  Pays for me to hunt which I guess is kinda needed to be successful.

 

[earlmarne]

i sent my bow in to get tuned up n new threads.
been making changes to my gear where i saw a problem last year.
doing as much shooting as possible.
looking at gettin a tree stand
some good binos

[elkpack]

A little back yard arrow flinging today.  Pretty much a year round deal with the recurve to keep the muscle memory dialed in. 

[Kingpuck]

Keep the boots oiled, mind sharp, workout after work 5 days a week. Hope to start scouting and hiking on Sundays. Buying a new bow. Looking to dominate this year: elk and deer tags filled. Ate both tags this year, even the small game tag.