Hey, I’m giving you pearls here.

[bracer40]

another one I am working on, much like duck hunting, is knowing when to call and when to shut up. I don't think there is really any way to teach it but is more of just a lived experience and keeping a mental log type deal

Learned a couple of really good lessons on this the past couple of years...experience is such a great teacher...of course I have no idea how many animals I failed to see because I didn’t know when to shut up...or speak up

[snarkybull]

When the elk are completely and totally silent and non-vocal, there is a reason for it.  Imitate them.

[pianoman9701]

If it's bone dry and you can't sneak, make lots of noise and don't footfall like a human.
Use trailcams from day one if not during scouting. That's where the elk are now.
Hunt until it's too dark to shoot.
Sous vide and freeze dinner meat ahead of time and it takes just minutes to sear and heat up in camp.
Make sure you always wear matching Sitka Gear. Elk are fashion conscious.

[b0bbyg]

Make sure you always wear matching Sitka Gear. Elk are fashion conscious.

Thanks a lot, now I have to go buy more Sitka. I'll let the wife know it's your fault  

[pianoman9701]

Make sure you always wear matching Sitka Gear. Elk are fashion conscious.

Thanks a lot, now I have to go buy more Sitka. I'll let the wife know it's your fault

Wives, on the other hand, are not camo fashion conscious. They can't tell the difference between new camo and old camo. Most also don't know how many guns are in your safe at any given time. The More You Know...

[snarkybull]

P-man brings up a great point that is applicable to EVERYTHING related to elk hunting if you are married.  Tip #1 and there is no #2.  THE most important thing.  Make sure your wife can't track how much you spend on elk hunting stuff.  This cannot be emphasized enough.  But if she does make sure you spend MORE on stuff for her.  You know the saying.....happy wife happy life.

[pianoman9701]

WapitiTalk1, these are the real pearls!

[Buckjunkie]

Scout, scout, scout.

If you didn’t draw a tag, go along with someone who did draw. Get experience even if you aren’t pulling the trigger.

Elk aren’t the same everywhere. Success in one environment doesn’t equal success in another.

Elk will find the nastiest area during season. Be prepared physically to go where they are.

And like others have said, bring strong young guys along to help pack. It will give you the confidence to go where the elk are.

[Axle]

When the elk are completely and totally silent and non-vocal, there is a reason for it.  Imitate them.

My lips are sealed 

[Twispriver]

I hunt elk because it's fun but I'm not obsessive about it so I'm not sure I have any pearls to offer.
In the last 35 years I've averaged an elk about every other year including a six year dry spell. Thinking back on it I can say that a large majority of the elk I've taken came to me while either standing still while sneaking along a trail or sitting on stand instead of me sneaking up on them. So my hunting strategy for elk is basically a very slow moving post up into the wind.

[WapitiTalk1]

WapitiTalk1, these are the real pearls!

Ha, no doubt. I’m enjoying the ride 

[b0bbyg]

I hunt elk because it's fun but I'm not obsessive about it so I'm not sure I have any pearls to offer.
In the last 35 years I've averaged an elk about every other year including a six year dry spell. Thinking back on it I can say that a large majority of the elk I've taken came to me while either standing still while sneaking along a trail or sitting on stand instead of me sneaking up on them. So my hunting strategy for elk is basically a very slow moving post up into the wind.

If you are killing Elk that often I would say you are doing much better than most    So your advice so hold weight in my opinion,

I can say I screw up a really good chance at least every other year if not more often Good at getting close and finding elk, poor at closing the deal.

[snake]

Don't underestimate the moon phase

Please elaborate... I'm listening.

[trophyhunt]

Don't underestimate the moon phase

Please elaborate... I'm listening.

From what I understand, when the moon is full and bright, the elk tend to stay up during the night longer.  Then they bed more during the day, less active.  But, when the moon is gone, the elk tend to be less active at night, normal daytime activities.  So if you only have a certain time to take off for hunting, look at the moon phase and pick the week when the moon is gone.

[pianoman9701]

Don't underestimate the moon phase

Please elaborate... I'm listening.

From what I understand, when the moon is full and bright, the elk tend to stay up during the night longer.  Then they bed more during the day, less active.  But, when the moon is gone, the elk tend to be less active at night, normal daytime activities.  So if you only have a certain time to take off for hunting, look at the moon phase and pick the week when the moon is gone.

I always check the moon phases for choosing the most dark nights during my trip, if possible. This year will be tough with the FM on the 20th of Sept.

Sat   Sep 11      Waxing Crescent   Scorpio   
Sun   Sep 12      Waxing Crescent   
Mon   Sep 13      First Quarter   Sagittarius   
Tue   Sep 14      Waxing Gibbous   
Wed   Sep 15      Waxing Gibbous   Capricorn   
Thu   Sep 16
Fri   Sep 17      Waxing Gibbous   Aquarius   
Sat   Sep 18      Waxing Gibbous   Aquarius
Sun   Sep 19      Waxing Gibbous   Pisces   
Mon   Sep 20      FULL MOON
Tue   Sep 21      Waning Gibbous   
Wed   Sep 22      Waning Gibbous   Aries   
Thu   Sep 23      Waning Gibbous   Aries