How to be a Successful Elk Hunter..with Poll

[Pathfinder101]

This thread is awesome!!!!

 

[Mudman]

Results tell me its about elk knowledge, location and persistence/time in woods.  Which are a combo like stated in bottom choice.  So there it is.  Location and experience.  Could not agree more.

[Bullkllr]

I rely on two things, dumb luck and persistence.

 
I'd add working harder than most; being willing to go farther in or deeper.

And it might seem obvious (but critical); hunt elk that don't know they're being hunted. Once they know they're being hunted success goes waaayyy down.

[Pathfinder101]

I rely on two things, dumb luck and persistence.

 
I'd add working harder than most; being willing to go farther in or deeper.

And it might seem obvious (but critical); hunt elk that don't know they're being hunted. Once they know they're being hunted success goes waaayyy down.

I talked to a game bio last year that said "Walk 3 miles and start hunting".  I think that is generally pretty good advice...

[rosscrazyelk]

I am not trying to brag or anything just speaking from what I observe and have experienced.
Being successful means different things to different people.
As far as harvesting success I believe that I have faired on the upper end.
I have drawn 2 branches antler tags in Washington and have filled both.  In between those draws I have hunted for the elusive spike elk. I have taken my fair share. In the 20 years  I have chased spikes I have harvested  1 average every other year and sometimes multiple years in a row. I can only say I am higher than average comparing to people I know and the people I hunt with.  I know far better hunters than me.
 But how did my success come to be. I am not sure.
I would say a ton of *censored* luck and a whole lot of stupidity.
My friends have limits to where they will go to get an elk.  I will go where ever I have to to get an elk.
I have heard people say I will never go there for a cow  but then they go home empty handed.
Side story - we had a guy who begged to hunt with us,  after a few years we gave  in. His first year I saw a herd  of elk with a spike.  I told him to go get it.  He said it was too far.  So I went and got it. We have a rule to split meat but you gotta help.  So while we are down in this hole,  i look to him and say " you are down here now aren't ya". Could of been his...
 Back to my thought. 
Some of my friends don't go out every day. I go out every possible chance i get. Some only hunt dawn and dusk. Where i will  hunt from dawn til dusk.
I also will say having hunted the same area for 20 years i have gotten to know where they go (for the most part)
As far as luck maybe its instinct. I am not sure how to explain it.
I will say I am going somewhere based  on a hunch, feeling , not really sure how to explain it.
Also when you get back to a road you always run into people.  People love to talk.  I have harvested 3 spikes based on loose lips.
I am also a true believer that you get out what you put in.  Sure people get lucky but most the luck goes to the one who puts in the most effort.  But that's not always the case. 

[keith h]

I have been elk hunting since 1984. This year i took my 25th bull elk. I attribute my success to physical fitness and the "never give up" attitude.  I never scout, if i do its just the day before season.  What i do is cover miles and miles on foot.  Just keep walking.  Don't be afraid to go the extra mile.  Don't be afraid to walk back to the truck in the dark.  Don't be afraid of getting lost. No elk is too far. No elk is too deep in the canyon.  No mountain is too steep or tall. Just keep walking and be prepared for everything.   I also think that having a positive attitude helps.  Every time I'm hunting elk i expect to kill and elk.  If i didn't see one or kill one i must of done something wrong or did try hard enough.  So i try harder the next day. Just keep walking and sometimes you need to run.

[coachcw]

Hunt with Me.  Honestly use the wind , pay attention to every noise  (elk dont alway call back on there way in ) don't be afraid to call . if you see or hear a elk go for it , the worse thing that will happen is you don't kill him . and lastly if you think you have a bull patterned your most likely wrong  , so many time I have thought a bull was a slam dunk and he has done something different . I have pushed bulls for miles intill he finally had enough and came in . dont quit ever.

[buggy]

It really is a combination of all the options listed but if you simply know elk and their habits and have the physical ability then everything else falls into place.

Obviously there are people every year who stumble across an elk or it runs across the road in front of them but to harvest an animal every year (or most years) I believe you need to understand elk or "elkisms". This is assuming you are proficient with the weapon you are using.

[buggy]

Fun thread by the way!

[Mudman]

Just use Guides services for example.  Experienced people in GOOD locations.  Boom!

[KFhunter]

Just use Guides services for example.  Experienced people in GOOD locations.  Boom!

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[Pathfinder101]

It makes me sad that the #2 most popular answer in this poll is "quantity of days spent in the field during elk season".  I'm a teacher and for me 4 days in a row is all I'll ever get.  5 if it's a long weekend, but I haven't managed to get lucky with dates like that. 
BTW... if anyone wants to run for governor on the platform that we are changing "summer" to September, October and November, I'll be your campaign manager....

[Elknut1]

Yes, hunting 8-10 consecutive days would be a huge plus but not an end all! The issue most archery hunters have is not knowing how to handle any one bull they may hear or see! That is important if you are hunting OTC units where bulls are scarce to begin with. You do not have the luxury to go through a 1/2 dozen or more bulls to finally convince one to come your way especially if only coming across 1-2 in your stay for the week!

  Guys, learn the Slow Play Breeding Sequence from bottom to the top! By knowing its use you will up your odds in a staggering manner no matter the bull. A good setup & understanding the recipe of sounds needed is all it takes, you will have bulls coming to you in a natural manner thus avoiding suspicion as they close the distance! Bulls who are not suspicious have a habit to come straight at you thus avoiding coming in downwind, advantage hunter!

  ElkNut/Paul

[bwhntr350]

Did not vote nor did I read the reply's. This is all I know, I've taken 11 Roosevelt's with my bow in 19 years of hunting, which I haven't done since 2013, for various reasons. I hunt a place that my Dad started taking me to and that is the only place that I would elk hunt, in this state. Never thought I was a good hunter, average at best. Never thought I was a good archer...good butcher, or anything. Just always thought I was lucky and I had a good/great area to hunt.

If they ain't there, you ain't getting them, but with that being said, experience in the field, around elk, and being in tremendous shape, I would say trumps all.