What Lessons Did You Learn This Year?

[cougforester]

Well, wrapped up my first year of archery hunting this year. Called in a bull for my buddy on the 6th day of hunting, and he killed his first elk! Things I learned or was reminded of this year:

-Elk are ghosts in the woods. Always amazed how they can tiptoe through brush without making a sound.
-Bulls can cover 100 yards in about 3 seconds if he thinks you're trying to steal his cows.
-Nock an arrow early and be prepared for them to come in quick.
-If elk think you're an elk, you can make a lot of noise on the way over to them. Silence spooks them.
-Seems like no one hikes more than a half mile off the road or trails.
-Always pack an extra smoke in a bottle in your pack.
-Late morning small fires to dry off pants and socks and having lunch around it provides a quick morale boost.
-Roosevelt's bugle. A lot.
-Investing in a boot dryer that plugs into the cigarette lighter of a truck might be my next purchase.
-Always pack an extra pair or two of socks than you think you may need.
-Never go off where the shooter thinks the wounded elk went. Follow the blood and flag the trail.


There're more, but that's a good list for now. What did you learn this year?

[jennabug]

  I'm watching and learning here until I get out there.

[Mr Mykiss]

I’m not sure what I learned...I guess I learned that I need to learn a bunch more stuff. Oh, actually i learned that I suck.

[7mmfan]

Well, wrapped up my first year of archery hunting this year. Called in a bull for my buddy on the 6th day of hunting, and he killed his first elk! Things I learned or was reminded of this year:

-Elk are ghosts in the woods. Always amazed how they can tiptoe through brush without making a sound.
-Bulls can cover 100 yards in about 3 seconds if he thinks you're trying to steal his cows.
-Nock an arrow early and be prepared for them to come in quick.
-If elk think you're an elk, you can make a lot of noise on the way over to them. Silence spooks them.
-Seems like no one hikes more than a half mile off the road or trails.
-Always pack an extra smoke in a bottle in your pack.
-Late morning small fires to dry off pants and socks and having lunch around it provides a quick morale boost.
-Roosevelt's bugle. A lot.
-Investing in a boot dryer that plugs into the cigarette lighter of a truck might be my next purchase.
-Always pack an extra pair or two of socks than you think you may need.
-Never go off where the shooter thinks the wounded elk went. Follow the blood and flag the trail.


There're more, but that's a good list for now. What did you learn this year?

I learned this 2 years ago. First animal I ever had to track. I was confident on where I had watched him go, but absolutely couldn't find any sign of him. Finally after half an hour of pacing around and beating myself up, I went back to last known blood and started trailing and flagging. Lost blood, looked back at my flagging, took a straight path through the saplings based on direction of travel indicated by the flagging, and there he laid. I was close, but it would have taken hour's of grid searching to find him.

[frazierw]

Well, wrapped up my first year of archery hunting this year. Called in a bull for my buddy on the 6th day of hunting, and he killed his first elk! Things I learned or was reminded of this year:

-Elk are ghosts in the woods. Always amazed how they can tiptoe through brush without making a sound.
-Bulls can cover 100 yards in about 3 seconds if he thinks you're trying to steal his cows.
-Nock an arrow early and be prepared for them to come in quick.
-If elk think you're an elk, you can make a lot of noise on the way over to them. Silence spooks them.
-Seems like no one hikes more than a half mile off the road or trails.
-Always pack an extra smoke in a bottle in your pack.
-Late morning small fires to dry off pants and socks and having lunch around it provides a quick morale boost.
-Roosevelt's bugle. A lot.
-Investing in a boot dryer that plugs into the cigarette lighter of a truck might be my next purchase.
-Always pack an extra pair or two of socks than you think you may need.
-Never go off where the shooter thinks the wounded elk went. Follow the blood and flag the trail.


There're more, but that's a good list for now. What did you learn this year?

From my experience propane ones work better, and then you dont need a truck around to use it either!  FYI

[cougforester]

Well, wrapped up my first year of archery hunting this year. Called in a bull for my buddy on the 6th day of hunting, and he killed his first elk! Things I learned or was reminded of this year:

-Elk are ghosts in the woods. Always amazed how they can tiptoe through brush without making a sound.
-Bulls can cover 100 yards in about 3 seconds if he thinks you're trying to steal his cows.
-Nock an arrow early and be prepared for them to come in quick.
-If elk think you're an elk, you can make a lot of noise on the way over to them. Silence spooks them.
-Seems like no one hikes more than a half mile off the road or trails.
-Always pack an extra smoke in a bottle in your pack.
-Late morning small fires to dry off pants and socks and having lunch around it provides a quick morale boost.
-Roosevelt's bugle. A lot.
-Investing in a boot dryer that plugs into the cigarette lighter of a truck might be my next purchase.
-Always pack an extra pair or two of socks than you think you may need.
-Never go off where the shooter thinks the wounded elk went. Follow the blood and flag the trail.


There're more, but that's a good list for now. What did you learn this year?

From my experience propane ones work better, and then you dont need a truck around to use it either!  FYI

Do those run off like the green Coleman bottles? Or how big of propane container does it need? Intriguing.

[coachcw]

We already know it all .....

[coachcw]

But i learned im not getting any younger !

[knighttime25]

Don't load your truck, pack all your gear, buy 100 lbs of ice for the cooler and get ready to leave until you are certain you have your hunting license and tags in hand  Tore the house apart looking for it with no luck and ended up last ditch effort driving to my parents house at 3:30 AM to find it somehow stuck in between the couch cushions from the previous weekend there eating breakfast. Two hours late to where I wanted to be hunting for the morning. Definitely will be the first thing on my checklist next time...

[frazierw]

Well, wrapped up my first year of archery hunting this year. Called in a bull for my buddy on the 6th day of hunting, and he killed his first elk! Things I learned or was reminded of this year:

-Elk are ghosts in the woods. Always amazed how they can tiptoe through brush without making a sound.
-Bulls can cover 100 yards in about 3 seconds if he thinks you're trying to steal his cows.
-Nock an arrow early and be prepared for them to come in quick.
-If elk think you're an elk, you can make a lot of noise on the way over to them. Silence spooks them.
-Seems like no one hikes more than a half mile off the road or trails.
-Always pack an extra smoke in a bottle in your pack.
-Late morning small fires to dry off pants and socks and having lunch around it provides a quick morale boost.
-Roosevelt's bugle. A lot.
-Investing in a boot dryer that plugs into the cigarette lighter of a truck might be my next purchase.
-Always pack an extra pair or two of socks than you think you may need.
-Never go off where the shooter thinks the wounded elk went. Follow the blood and flag the trail.


There're more, but that's a good list for now. What did you learn this year?

From my experience propane ones work better, and then you dont need a truck around to use it either!  FYI

Do those run off like the green Coleman bottles? Or how big of propane container does it need? Intriguing.

Yep little green coleman bottles, and they last a while too.  Use it every year and my boots are dry and warm every morning.

[Harbor_hunter]

Remember to compensate for shooting uphill, 

[Special T]

use a wire tie to secure the quiver to the bow. nothing is worse than having a deer step out broadside at 40 yards and realizing you dropped your quiver when you go to knock an arrow...lucky for me they are dumb and hung with in 50 yards for the next hour and a half while i was back tracking to find all my ammo!

[Jonathan_S]

use a wire tie to secure the quiver to the bow. Get a decent quiver  nothing is worse than having a deer step out broadside at 40 yards and realizing you dropped your quiver when you go to knock an arrow...lucky for me they are dumb and hung with in 50 yards for the next hour and a half while i was back tracking to find all my ammo!

[Jonathan_S]

Remember to compensate for shooting uphill, 

What do you mean by this?

[ASienkiewich]

What general area were you hunting? Because my Roosevelt’s were silent all season lol


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[Harbor_hunter]

Remember to compensate for shooting uphill, 

What do you mean by this?

Means when a bull is uphill from you at a fairly steep angle, you need to take the angle into account when shooting.  I didn't do that and missed a bull.

[KFhunter]

I learned that my hunting gear sucks and I need lucky numbers on the lotto to replace it all 

[Bobvernon2]

Let’s see don’t leave the rangefinder in the truck, Rosie’s come in hot when they come, always check for branches before you shoot, at 60 yards aim for the lungs not the heart, cow call more than bugle, Always have wet wipes, walk slower, don’t trust someone else to catch what you miss, take other hunters reports with a grain of salt, it’s hard to call in a satellite bull when the herd bull can see him, when stuck between two bugling bulls go for the lower one, wear thermals in the rain, never trust your rain gear, when the bulls down and your 5 Miles in gut first make phone calls then quarter, never pass on a good Blacktail, sometimes you just gotta send it

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Interesting take on compensating on an up or downhill shot. I learned the complete opposite last year.  It was steep uphill so I used the next pin.  It shot true and over its back I shoot from my 14 ft deck and It holds true to the pin it should be.  Biggest thing I learned was tonight. Almost all my bulls have come straight towards me.  Not tonight he went down wind and I didnt have a clear shooting lane.  It was a thick dog hair patch but I will get him in muzzy since I have multi.

[cougforester]

Let’s see don’t leave the rangefinder in the truck, Rosie’s come in hot when they come, always check for branches before you shoot, at 60 yards aim for the lungs not the heart, cow call more than bugle, Always have wet wipes, walk slower, don’t trust someone else to catch what you miss, take other hunters reports with a grain of salt, it’s hard to call in a satellite bull when the herd bull can see him, when stuck between two bugling bulls go for the lower one, wear thermals in the rain, never trust your rain gear, when the bulls down and your 5 Miles in gut first make phone calls then quarter, never pass on a good Blacktail, sometimes you just gotta send it

No kidding. They can cover ground quick when you're too close for comfort.

[optic2]

That once you apply for elk special permits that you are locked into that weapon.   

[Bobvernon2]

Let’s see don’t leave the rangefinder in the truck, Rosie’s come in hot when they come, always check for branches before you shoot, at 60 yards aim for the lungs not the heart, cow call more than bugle, Always have wet wipes, walk slower, don’t trust someone else to catch what you miss, take other hunters reports with a grain of salt, it’s hard to call in a satellite bull when the herd bull can see him, when stuck between two bugling bulls go for the lower one, wear thermals in the rain, never trust your rain gear, when the bulls down and your 5 Miles in gut first make phone calls then quarter, never pass on a good Blacktail, sometimes you just gotta send it

No kidding. They can cover ground quick when you're too close for comfort.

Made a few cow calls, sat down with my sandwich and eat about half of it when I saw something move and behold a short 5x5 at 8 yards staring at me luckily my buddy was able to nock an arrow and shoot him. Best day ever.

[Sandberm]

I learned that my hunting gear sucks and I need lucky numbers on the lotto to replace it all 

 

I'm frugal, so one year I bought some Walmart camo pants for I believe $15. Score!!!...or so I thought. The chafing started mid day on the first day of late archery between my thighs. I thought for sure I was going to be a bloody mess by the end of the day. My bow legged walk got progressively wider as the day went on. 

[KFhunter]

I've had that same bow legged walk 

Then I progressed from a bow legged walk to a blistered feet shuffle.

[Jonathan_S]

sometimes you just gotta send it

This.  Rinse and repeat   

[Little Fish]

No matter where you are if you don't want to get ripped off lock up your stuff. Had some gear and food taken while out in the field one day.

If you have an opportunity to get on the same elevation as an animal (or close) you are better off. Elk come in easier when there are fewer obstacles between you and them.

Depending on the mindset of the bull you are hunting (herd bull, fired up bull, wandering/searching bull) don't dilly dally. Had a couple of bulls who appeared to be searching for cows wandered off while we were figuring out the best way to call them in.

Stay in the woods all day until last light. Almost half our opportunities either came in the last 1-2 hours of daylight or we heard a bull bugle in the middle of the day while eating lunch.

[RadSav]

Learned that 19 points isn't enough to draw eastside bull tags.  And that the penalty for trying is a seven day cow hunt where hunters out number elk about 100 to 1.  Quite possibly the worst decision I've ever made.

[Squatch200]

Watch out for hornets nests in dead snags when you rake them. They flew out and stung me all over mid bugle and my buddies just thought I was really getting into it when they heard all the running and crashing back behind them. I still stuck with it and ended up calling him in though.

[slowhand]

Watch out for hornets nests in dead snags when you rake them. They flew out and stung me all over mid bugle and my buddies just thought I was really getting into it when they heard all the running and crashing back behind them. I still stuck with it and ended up calling him in though.

LOL 

[trophyhunt]

Villajac29........ anything to add??   

[villajac29]

Villajac29........ anything to add??   

Very funny trophyhunt... yeah guys make sure you don't check other peoples game cams it can mess with the cards and is just plain disrespectful. Also if you manage to have a herd bull in a spot they can't escape cause they are cliffed out aggressively call and move in to pressure the bull there is a good chance they will come in for a shot. Just make sure you got the wind right

[trophyhunt]

Villajac29........ anything to add??   

Very funny trophyhunt... yeah guys make sure you don't check other peoples game cams it can mess with the cards and is just plain disrespectful. Also if you manage to have a herd bull in a spot they can't escape cause they are cliffed out aggressively call and move in to pressure the bull there is a good chance they will come in for a shot. Just make sure you got the wind right

great bull

[villajac29]

Villajac29........ anything to add??   

Very funny trophyhunt... yeah guys make sure you don't check other peoples game cams it can mess with the cards and is just plain disrespectful. Also if you manage to have a herd bull in a spot they can't escape cause they are cliffed out aggressively call and move in to pressure the bull there is a good chance they will come in for a shot. Just make sure you got the wind right

great bull

Thank you, my first elk and archery kill. Took me 8 days and 3 setups on the bull solo to get it done. Had some awesome guys to help with the recovery and packout.

[Bushcraft]

Interesting take on compensating on an up or downhill shot. I learned the complete opposite last year.  It was steep uphill so I used the next pin.  It shot true and over its back I shoot from my 14 ft deck and It holds true to the pin it should be.  Biggest thing I learned was tonight. Almost all my bulls have come straight towards me.  Not tonight he went down wind and I didnt have a clear shooting lane.  It was a thick dog hair patch but I will get him in muzzy since I have multi.

You'll always need to hold for a shorter distance than line-of-sight when shooting uphill or downhill. Always.

[goldenhtr]

Let’s see don’t leave the rangefinder in the truck, Rosie’s come in hot when they come, always check for branches before you shoot, at 60 yards aim for the lungs not the heart, cow call more than bugle, Always have wet wipes, walk slower, don’t trust someone else to catch what you miss, take other hunters reports with a grain of salt, it’s hard to call in a satellite bull when the herd bull can see him, when stuck between two bugling bulls go for the lower one, wear thermals in the rain, never trust your rain gear, when the bulls down and your 5 Miles in gut first make phone calls then quarter, never pass on a good Blacktail, sometimes you just gotta send it

Cost me my first elk last year, and same this year twice. First all shots were 40yards, slam dunk right? Did not see any branches before the shot. Although the heart was pounding a little:) Right before impact I see my arrow take an immediate downward path. Second shot had to kneel down to try and avoid upper branches, but still hit them and arrow went flying. Great time this year in a new area and we will be back next year for sure.

First shot this year was in the first 30 min of the season sept.15th. Was sitting on a log and just finished ranging a few stumps and a lane down to the right had a small opening. So I ranged the bushes/trees at the bottom. I look up and there is an cow standing where I just finished ranging down the small opening. I let the arrow fly and shot a fraction of an inch over her back. Can you guess what happend?

[h20hunter]

Villajac29........ anything to add??   

Very funny trophyhunt... yeah guys make sure you don't check other peoples game cams it can mess with the cards and is just plain disrespectful. Also if you manage to have a herd bull in a spot they can't escape cause they are cliffed out aggressively call and move in to pressure the bull there is a good chance they will come in for a shot. Just make sure you got the wind right

What a smarta......

Well played and dandy bull.

[Elk hunter4ever]

Just because elk have been there in years past, doesn't mean they will be there this year. Have hunted a group of elk for 15 years with decent sucess. Knew where they bedded, fed, watered, etc, every year like clock work. Never assumed the need for scouting in summer because I knew the area well and where the elk will be. This year I couldn't find an elk or any fresh sign for the life of me. I tried expanding my search to areas I didn't know, to no prevail.

So I've learned to always scout out a backup area and a backup to the backup area to hunt when things don't go well in your main spot.

[villajac29]

Villajac29........ anything to add??   

Very funny trophyhunt... yeah guys make sure you don't check other peoples game cams it can mess with the cards and is just plain disrespectful. Also if you manage to have a herd bull in a spot they can't escape cause they are cliffed out aggressively call and move in to pressure the bull there is a good chance they will come in for a shot. Just make sure you got the wind right

What a smarta......

Not gonna argue with that.

Well played and dandy bull.

[Gus]

If, while making breakfast just hours into the start of a backpack hunt, you discover that you accidentally brought an empty fuel canister for your stove, Mountain Houses will actually rehydrate nicely after soaking in your pack all day. And they are still quite delicious. This could be more attributed to the 3,000 feet plus of elevation and full day packing camp while chasing bulls than the actual taste however.

Make sure to put them in a gallon ziplock or secure the top somehow, they like to open.

[pianoman9701]

I learned that even if they're not talking, you should bugle and bring 'em in or locate them. I decided I was only going to calf call in this area where they stay quiet. It was stupid and I missed opportunities by doing so.

[206dawgfan]

I learned I need to learn more.   Had a great year but Im hitting the books

[BuckSnort18]

I learned to appreciate 23 years between bulls with a bow and sharing both experiences with your mentor.