What Lessons Did You Learn This Year?

[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??