elk hunt

[mjtbackcountry]

Well I have planned on taking the first week of the season off and now its not looking like its gonna go my way . I could hunt after work for a few hours in areas by my house but don't know how well that's gonna work out.I was wondering if there are any weekend warriors with this same problem that have had success in the past.  Any suggestions or stories of you being limited to hunt a couple days of the entire season. To give me some hope after my shattered dreams

[bow4elk]

Well, I had only one day to hunt elk in 2007 (archery).  I left Olympia at a ridiculous hour in the morning and met up with my hunting partner in SW WA.  We were on the bikes riding in behind a locked gate an hour or so before daylight, into a new area neither of us had been before.  I remember feeling down about the three trucks parked at the gate when we arrived but later I learned that all three were full of sleeping hunters when we slipped by our our bikes.  We rode about 5 1/2 miles before we spotted a cow along the road, just after daylight.  I quick survey revealed multiple animals so we got off the bikes and did a quicky set-up.  My partner stayed put as I tried to find a spot along the road.  He squealed and a bull answered immediately!  I was jacked.

That particular bull about steamrolled me, crashing into about 10 yards.  As I drew he caught movement and wheeled out of the thicket.  I didn't really have a shot anyway so it was just a good way to start the day.  The day got hot and windy and the sweat was pouring all day.  I was parched.  I almost sealed the deal on a nice 5x5 herd bull as he moved his cows past us but when I cow called to stop him, he quickened his pace and increasing his distance.  Late in the afternoon it was a matter of fishing or cutting bait for the area.  We had some good action but there was a great evening spot that was going to be hit or miss.  I decided we should head out and get set up there before dark.  I told my partner I wanted to bugle the ravines on the way out, just in case.

About 8 miles from the gate (3:00 PM) I bugled into a deep reprod canyon.  I got an immediate high pitched squeal in return.  I didn't want to be hasty and  backtrack over a mile to get the wind right unless this bull was really in the mood to meet me 1/2 way.  We had a snack and some water as I toyed with him over the next 20-30 minutes, and as the time passed he was getting more excitable.  Off we went back the way we came.  A short time later my partner had him coming right to me.  As he entered my lane and stopped to rake a sapling I sent an arrow deep into his ribs at 30 yards. He was down inside 50 yards.  A great little 4x4 raghorn bull on the ground at 4PM.

I had a management conference in Seattle the next morning at 9 AM.  Needless to say, there was little sleep and the bull attended the shindig with me, boned out on ice in the back of my truck. I'm pretty sure I was the only one there with blood under my fingernails and that everlasting scent of elk on my skin. 

So, have faith, prepare, get psyched, and make it happen!!  It can be done!!

[mjtbackcountry]

Thats an awsome story and it gives me alot of hope, i have been training and been psyched for a while now, like you said I'm just gonna have to make it happen.

[bow4elk]

Are you bowhunting?  When you have limited time, you have to get in the game every minute of the day.  Think about where the elk will be and get into their bedrooms during the hot mid-day hours.  Find the running water and seeps.  Find the trails in the bottoms and follow them up and out into the timber stands where they bed.  Glass pockets of shade.  Just be in the game and don't for a second think it's no use.  Good luck!

[mjtbackcountry]

Yeah I am bow hunting, Thanks alot for your input I greatley appreciate it.

[Crunchy]

Well that suck since the season was cut short by two days this year.  I turn in my vacation slip by Jan 5th each year and take the entire month of September off.

[bow4elk]

Also...bugle your damn head off.  If you can excite a bull with continual bugling, squealing, breaking limbs, and raking he will respond.  You will have to be persistent and cover some ground.  Think it through and give your set ups 30-45 minutes.  Mix in some cow calling and estrous whines after you've bugled a few times.  Be patient and imagine a bull slipping in cautiously.  Give it time and be aware of the wind at all times. Corn starch in a washed out Elmer's Glue bottle is an inexpensive wind detector.  Corn starch is virtually odorless and dirt cheap.  Hope this helps.

Also, prepare for success.  Have your coolers full of crushed/cubed ice and covered in sleeping bags for insulation) in your rig.  Have a plan to get that elk boned out, bagged in quality game bags, and cooled quickly.  Use a creek if need be.  PM me if you want to talk in depth about this stuff, we can get on the phone.

[snipereyez]

Several years ago when I still did modern firearm for Elk I was pretty limited on time as you are now, due to a new baby.  My mother in-law would not return until 9am that morning so I dropped off the my little boy and headed up to my hunting ground late.  I didn't arrive to the landed until shortly after 11am.  Not too optimistic I got out of the truck and walked down a trail I've seen elk in still in my flip flops.  Low and behold I see a 3x4 bedded not more than 80yds away on a side bench in the shade.  That was my shortest season ever!  My buddies who came up to help me back him out still give me crap to this day about hunting elk in flip flops at noon.  I believe it's all a matter of luck and timing with hunting.  Good luck!