And on to late season we go!

[Meattoeat]

Hey there fellow elk hunters!

Super excited to hunt this coming late season with archery equipment. Hunted all I could early season but with a new born it was super limited, but ended up getting an encounter that has me hooked.

I know late season it turns into an entirely new ball game, and the unit I scouted and worked hard learning all spring and summer is closed for late season, so I’ll be hanging out in a neighboring unit to the south.

My one question is how do you handle getting in close on cows? I know my chances at seeing any 3pt+ bulls is super slim just since they’ll be tucked way back in, and timid. But the cows will still be grouped up and down lower.
Do you find it’s best to just cover ground until you find sign, and just slow play and still hunt through big open timber? If you see them from 80ish yards how do you guys close that gap. I’m not one that will take that sort of shot with archery. Especially on an elk, I’m limiting myself to about 40 yards. And targeting a cow just being as it’s late season and doubt I’ll see anything else legal.

Either way super stoked to get out there and I’ll beat brush and learn the hard way, but would love some insight on closing that last 40 or so yards when cows or bulls aren’t going to be able to be coaxed in.

Thanks all and here’s a photo from my camera and one of the bulls I spent September chasing, and glad to know I’ll be able to chase him next year since the season was just about over when I got this picture.

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

Hey man I'll be out there hitting the elk woods late archery also.  I'll be hunting the east side but same tactics apply.  Get in close and wait, they might feed towards you.  Use the terrain to your advantage and when heads are down feeding or eyes are behind trees, move.  If the wind is right, you have way more time than you think unless you're right up against last light.  Maybe bring extra clothes in case you have to do a little belly crawlin to get in close.  Do whatever you can to get within ethical shot distance, then let one fly!  Good luck out there late season bow hunters, we all need a little luck sometimes! 

[Wetwoodshunter]

I bum rushed some this morning late muzzy. Has 80 head cross 100 yards I'm front of me, no legal bulls. As soon as the dropped over the ridge I booked it to where they had gone over. I was face to face with the heard at 10 yards when I peeked over.

No bulls had grown a third point. I backed out and then they milled down to the bottom where I picked the whole herd apart animal by animal at 170 yards.

All that to say, if you have the wind, just use your surroundings and move at them outside their line of sight. I try to never move on an animal in its line of sight. You can often drop off a backside and loop to them or see a spot to cut into them.

[Meattoeat]

I bum rushed some this morning late muzzy. Has 80 head cross 100 yards I'm front of me, no legal bulls. As soon as the dropped over the ridge I booked it to where they had gone over. I was face to face with the heard at 10 yards when I peeked over.

No bulls had grown a third point. I backed out and then they milled down to the bottom where I picked the whole herd apart animal by animal at 170 yards.

All that to say, if you have the wind, just use your surroundings and move at them outside their line of sight. I try to never move on an animal in its line of sight. You can often drop off a backside and loop to them or see a spot to cut into them.

That’s crazy, I feel like where I’ve found myself hunting has been either really thick, or on a hill side with big timber and open underneath. Going for anything legal at this point, the unit is cow or 3pt min. Also holding a blacktail tag so I’m hunter of opportunity at this point.

Hope to just see something, but the weather looks wet so that hopefully will help.

[leonpeon2]

In the same boat here as well. Late archery with a multi season deer tag. Wife has the same and so does the FIL. Trying to get out there in the Wynoochi. Got the wearhouser pass but nothing yet. See a random doe here and there but nothing else. Getting harder each year.

Good luck to you all!