Eff it! Should I just go for it?

[Jayhole]

I have tagged along with my bil on his archery hunts and have hunted muzzy season in the Mashel 2 years.  My best advise is watch the wind.  Where we go its deep and steep and the wind changes constantly at all times of the day.  We have been busted down there on more than an handful of times.  I keep telling him this place is unhuntable but 1 of these yrs we will get lucky.  Be persistent.  When you find your spot sneak in and out. Another piece of advice is get ON X.  Depending on where you are hunting there is a ton of private and timberland in that unit so pick your location wisely and know the boundaries.

Thanks! I have OnX and have studied it very closely. Is the archery season pretty crowded in there?

[cpawlowski19]

Make sure you get a good pack with meat hauling capability. Size is up to you whether you’ll be out just a day at a time or a few nights. Finding, harvesting and cleaning the elk is one thing. Being able to bring all of that meat out is another.


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This is probably the one thing I dont have yet

Lots of good companies out there. Alps Outdoorz, Eberlestock, Exo Mountain, Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier just to name a few. All depends on your budget but my suggestion is get the best pack you can and don’t buy twice.


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[Jayhole]

Make sure you get a good pack with meat hauling capability. Size is up to you whether you’ll be out just a day at a time or a few nights. Finding, harvesting and cleaning the elk is one thing. Being able to bring all of that meat out is another.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is probably the one thing I dont have yet

Lots of good companies out there. Alps Outdoorz, Eberlestock, Exo Mountain, Mystery Ranch, Stone Glacier just to name a few. All depends on your budget but my suggestion is get the best pack you can and don’t buy twice.


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Sounds good!

[Karl Blanchard]

Another thing to add here...you've chosen to start with hands down the hardest method of take by choosing archery so tailor expectations accordingly. Guys hunt decades before finding success. The ones that are consistently successful treat each outing as a learning experience. Analyze and dissect everything. Connecting the dots of why things happen the way they do is paramount to success

[Jayhole]

Another thing to add here...you've chosen to start with hands down the hardest method of take by choosing archery so tailor expectations accordingly. Guys hunt decades before finding success. The ones that are consistently successful treat each outing as a learning experience. Analyze and dissect everything. Connecting the dots of why things happen the way they do is paramount to success

Roger that! Thanks!

[Wizekrakr]

The elk are your teachers. You can hunt elk for decades and every encounter you have with them, they will teach you something new. Your preparation sounds like you are ready for school to begin.  Get out to do some pre-season scouting and enjoy the experience. There's nothing like it.

[builtfordtough]

I have tagged along with my bil on his archery hunts and have hunted muzzy season in the Mashel 2 years.  My best advise is watch the wind.  Where we go its deep and steep and the wind changes constantly at all times of the day.  We have been busted down there on more than an handful of times.  I keep telling him this place is unhuntable but 1 of these yrs we will get lucky.  Be persistent.  When you find your spot sneak in and out. Another piece of advice is get ON X.  Depending on where you are hunting there is a ton of private and timberland in that unit so pick your location wisely and know the boundaries.

Thanks! I have OnX and have studied it very closely. Is the archery season pretty crowded in there?

We hunt a fairly small public land spot and there has been a few bow hunters in there. Same for muzzy season.  The "locals" have been hostile and not friendly at times

[Jayhole]

The elk are your teachers. You can hunt elk for decades and every encounter you have with them, they will teach you something new. Your preparation sounds like you are ready for school to begin.  Get out to do some pre-season scouting and enjoy the experience. There's nothing like it.

Right on man!

[Jayhole]

I have tagged along with my bil on his archery hunts and have hunted muzzy season in the Mashel 2 years.  My best advise is watch the wind.  Where we go its deep and steep and the wind changes constantly at all times of the day.  We have been busted down there on more than an handful of times.  I keep telling him this place is unhuntable but 1 of these yrs we will get lucky.  Be persistent.  When you find your spot sneak in and out. Another piece of advice is get ON X.  Depending on where you are hunting there is a ton of private and timberland in that unit so pick your location wisely and know the boundaries.

Thanks! I have OnX and have studied it very closely. Is the archery season pretty crowded in there?

We hunt a fairly small public land spot and there has been a few bow hunters in there. Same for muzzy season.  The "locals" have been hostile and not friendly at times

That sucks about the locals. Are they anti hunters or other hunters who are being territorial?

[builtfordtough]

Territorial, messed with our trail cameras, took the SD cards out, flipped the cameras upside down. Met a couple guys who were not nice at all.  Hasn't stopped us from going back.  And it shouldn't stop you either. You may run into these types anywhere you hunt. Have met a few who have been very pleasant and happy to talk strategy and what way we are going/they going. 

[Shawn Ryan]

What Karl said, both times. Success the first years is not measured in kills, but in how many times the elk taught you something. Once you have one on the ground, you need to have a plan for getting the meat cooled and out quickly. Hiking at night with meat is part of that.

[Scruffy]

Yes Go for it.....  It's all about the experience.  You will learn best as you go, everyone makes mistakes just learn from them, don't get discouraged.  If you get something don't be afraid to field dress it.  Just try not to cut into the intestines or the stomach.  Cool the meat as soon as possible.  Don't be afraid to process your animal.  It is called butchering and you will butcher your first few animals but you will learn the different muscle groups and how they connect.  It is way cheaper to make your own summer sausage and jerky vs having a butcher do it.  Good Luck.

[Alchase]

As others have said, if you are going to hunt the Elbe Hills, or any of the Mashel Unit, do not leave anything in your vehicle. It will get stolen.

[Longfield1]

Watch the wind at all times for sure
If you do arrow an elk give it time don't go looking for it right away. Atleast 30 minutes.
Look for fresh sign.
The 2 most likely times you'll find elk are in the morning and evening. So commit to be out in position in the dark when the sun comes up. Then in the afternoon hunt commit to stay out till its end of shooting light. Don't head back to camp when its getting dark stay until dark.
Like others have said, you just have to get out and do it. There's only so many opening days in our lifetime.

[Stein]

Just go, I taught myself big game hunting although I did have a couple guys show me the ropes with waterfowl.  Archery elk is a hoot, the weather is usually nice, you don't have to pack around a ton of clothes, hiking is easier and you usually hear an elk somewhere.

I agree your expectations should be in line with the statistics.