How to be a Successful Elk Hunter..with Poll

[WapitiTalk1]

OK, it has been said that 10% of the hunters take 90% of the elk. I feel this isn't too far from the truth. So, how is this accomplished each year, by pretty much the same hunters? Most all elk hunters actually hunt in an area that contain elk, right? That said, why is it that seemingly the same percent of say 100 hunters in the field are able to create those sought after shot opportunities year after year? I've emplaced a poll (you can make multiple choices) that I'm hoping folks chime in on but open discussion is certainly encouraged.

[chester]

Days in the field is number 1 far and above everything else. That’s where you learn how elk behave and where the like to hangout.

[ljsommer]

Good idea for a post, elk are a total mystery to me. Definitely studying/learning for the next 5-10 years.

[WSU]

Days in the field and understanding elk.  Once you understand elk, you can kill them calling, still hunting, spot and stalk, etc. Then, you still have to be at the right place at the right time and have everything work out, which is a function of time spent hunting.

[7mmfan]

Knowing elk mannerisms,or elkisms, and what makes them tick. That could include but is not limited to; cow/bull talk, basic needs (food, water, security, breeding), and how those all align depending on time of year. Each season is different, sometimes just a day or two making a significant difference in where you find animals, and what will appeal to them or drive them away.

Knowing the ground inside and out helps a lot, but once the shooting starts, a lot of the scouting you've done preseason goes out the window. Finding where they went, and what their new schedule is, is key. You have to be adaptable on the fly and not assume that just because they were here last year, or last week, and something worked then, doesn't mean any of that is true today.

I live by the notion that elk are elk, and you find them where you find them.

[vandeman17]

Knowing elk mannerisms,or elkisms, and what makes them tick. That could include but is not limited to; cow/bull talk, basic needs (food, water, security, breeding), and how those all align depending on time of year. Each season is different, sometimes just a day or two making a significant difference in where you find animals, and what will appeal to them or drive them away.

Knowing the ground inside and out helps a lot, but once the shooting starts, a lot of the scouting you've done preseason goes out the window. Finding where they went, and what their new schedule is, is key. You have to be adaptable on the fly and not assume that just because they were here last year, or last week, and something worked then, doesn't mean any of that is true today.

I live by the notion that elk are elk, and you find them where you find them.

i only voted for one and it was knowing elk. The more you know about the "why" and not the "how" will help you kill more elk

[emac]

Good idea for a post, elk are a total mystery to me. Definitely studying/learning for the next 5-10 years.

The way things are going in this state you wont be hunting elk in Washington in 5-10 years and if we are it will be a selected few that draw

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[Mudman]

All of them and more but really I think its about location, knowledge and time spent in woods.  Time spent is #1 no matter skill level because you learn improve and adapt to become better at all things almost.   The 10% seems to be the hunter is always in a good location and in proper spots based on elk behavior of their respected hunt method/area.  For example my Dad had a great run for years in a specific unnamed local.  It was modern and a pumpkin patch with good amount of elk.  He hunted swamps.  Close to road, far, but he hunted elk hideouts.  He did very well killing many bulls and 2 big ones.  He didn't care about pattern, trails, feed, etc.  He knew hunters were chasing em and they were hiding so swamps did very well as guys don't hunt swamps much.  Don't wade through beaver damns and raging creeks.  When it failed he did more of a traditional scout method to locate but was always searching for another hidden bowl with swamps.  It works when pressures are high.    So here is a guy in simple clothes, a rain coat of orange, smoking a cig.  No binos, rangefinders, fancy knives or other gear.  Just a knife, cigs and coat and worn out 308 rifle having more success then  most did at the time.  Go figure eh?  Wisdom is hard to measure.  I have learned from him but not had his success.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Hunt states with large elk populations
Hunt states that don't have antler point restrictions
Have lots of time to hunt
In Washington, buy the multiseason tag when you have the opportunity and be proficient with all three weapons.
In Washington, cruise the roads predawn for roadkill elk 

[Rainier10]

I picked four and in this order.  All of the ones on the list are important but these are my top four and the reason for each of them.

1. Location, you have to be in an area that holds elk and lots of elk, more elk, more opportunity.
2. Days in the woods, you have to be in the woods as many days as it takes to learn about the elk and increase your chances at an opportunity.
3. Physical conditioning, the better shape you are in the easier it is to stay after them and in the woods.
4. Persistence, even with everything stacked in your favor something can and will go wrong.  You can't give up, you have to keep trying.  I have killed elk one hour into opening morning and with two hours left in the day of the last day of the season.

You never know when all the stars are going to align but you have to be ready and be there when it all does come together.

[KFhunter]

Private property, access to.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Bob33]

Hunt where the elk are. If you don't none of the rest makes a bit of difference

[Karl Blanchard]

As for the 90/10 thing, Not all Indians in the tribe were hunters.  Some had to weave baskets and stuff

Elk are no different than any other animal.  They all require the same things.  Learn what those are and at what times they need each thing.  Mental toughness and persistence wins the day every time

[flyfishWA]

persistence location and days in field along with knowledge of the local elk herd dynamics.

[WapitiTalk1]

Didn’t put it in the original poll choices but how about aggressiveness?  I seldom go a year without shot opportunities and aggressiveness is a significant part of my methodology and has been for years.  Anyone know what I’m referring to?