Notching your tag in the off season

[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.