What Lessons Did You Learn This Year?

[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.