Elk prepping

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I have been hunting 4 years now with my bow.  I have not killed an elk or deer yet.  Every year about now I get my gear in order and start adding to it with new gear.  I try to be prepared as possible for elk camp.  I changed areas last year and had lots of close encounters with deer and elk.  My question is what do you guys that are successful, do to prep for elk season?  I practice with the bow a few times a week.  What time o year should I check my area for the elk to be back where they were last sept?  Thanks for any tips on my elk prepping.

[JPhelps]

GET INTO SHAPE and shoot my bow.

For me that is all I really worry about.  I don't really have an "area"and I don't really scout (but that is only because I have hunted the same spots for years).  Otherwise I would have to invest more time.

Elk moving back into an area depends greatly on elevation and specific herds.  Some of the places I hunt the elk don't have to move all year.

[HighCountryHunter88]

Find an area with decent activity and stick with that area. Dont give up after a couple unsuccesful seasons, learn how to hunt pressured elk. what do they do? where do they go to escape preasure? I backpack hunt for elk so every year i try and save some money and update some gear, ususally in the weight department. to get ready i just get outside as much as possible. bear hunting in august and sept. is the best way to get in shape for elk!

[halflife65]

GET INTO SHAPE and shoot my bow.

For me that is all I really worry about.  I don't really have an "area"and I don't really scout (but that is only because I have hunted the same spots for years).  Otherwise I would have to invest more time.

Elk moving back into an area depends greatly on elevation and specific herds.  Some of the places I hunt the elk don't have to move all year.

   Except find some areas that you think would be good and watch them through the summer.  Remember, where the elk are now doesn't mean that's where they'll be later in the year.  Look for places with rubs and other old elk sign if it's early in the year and, obviously, look for elk or fresh elk sign later.  Try not to get too close to them and certainly don't screw around with an elk bugle.

Otherwise shooting a lot and getting into shape are really important.

[dawn2dusk]

RUN, LIFT, SHOOT!!!!!! scout but not too hard, its too easy to get them tuned into humans before its go time!!

[Button Nubbs]

Trail cams are your friend!!! Get out in the woods in the spring and start looking around all the way through summer. Keep a log book for trail cam pics. Also keep a seperate log book for each cam location you have. That way you can compare them side by side. Get in some units that have relatively low success rates and find animals. These animals are more than likely going to be unpressured and easier to hunt. Of course that may mean you limit yourself to 3pt min or spike only depending on where you hunt

The unit we hunt had  under 5 bulls taken between all seasons last year. I took a bull this year and everyone else was into elk fairly frequently during the season.

Imo you will see a lot more animals during archery season in 3pt min units with no antlerless harvest allowed. You will also see A LOT less hunters. This not only applies to elk but also mulies.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Thanks for all the info.  I stuck to my first area for three years.  West side 3 point min.  I had a few close calls with elk and deer in sept there I never hunt late season cause I can't afford it.  I moved elk camp to the east side last year content with shooting a cow or spike elk and got to take a shot at a huge buck.  I was in elk opening morning and eve the second day too they got pressured and left so I did too after 7 days afield.  I went to another spot I knew of for the last four days of early season with no shots taken.  Low success is discouraging to me.  But I love to hunt so ill get after it again this year.  Thanks again for the responses.  I'm getting trail cams and a tree stand this year.  I like to move but I have a feeling if I just stopped for a min the game would come to me.

[Button Nubbs]

I'm a tree stand guy too. By "low success" I meant on wdfw's harvest reports. They are in damn near every gmu in this state. Just gotta find where they're at in those units.

[saylean]

Find an area with decent activity and stick with that area. Dont give up after a couple unsuccesful seasons, learn how to hunt pressured elk. what do they do? where do they go to escape preasure? I backpack hunt for elk so every year i try and save some money and update some gear, ususally in the weight department. to get ready i just get outside as much as possible. bear hunting in august and sept. is the best way to get in shape for elk!

Well said about bear hunting....thats how I try to get into shape for elk archery.
Just shoot your bow, know your area, watch the wind and the rest should fall into place.

[bwhntr350]

 Well, I do nothing. I will shoot my bow this summer and then the week before the season I will grab my bow and pack and take a hike up to a mountain top, somewhere, somewhere far from where I hunt.

 That hike will rid me of any potential soreness that I may otherwise encounter. I do not scout, I stay totally out of the area that I hunt until the season.

[Johnb317]

While getting in shape dont forget to take walks with your weighted down pack. (on a side note it's improved my skiing).  I practice shooting with my pack on, and whatever gear as well. 

[JLS]

A lot of this depends on if I'm hunting a new area or not. 

The GIVENS:

Be in tip top shape
Shoot my bow 4-5 times a week
Broadheads impeccably tuned
All gear prepped and upgraded if needed and/or funds allow
Summer scouting trip if feasible
Call 2 weeks ahead to find out about fire closures/restrictions
Vehicle is well maintained
ALL honey-dos are DONE, with a smile on

IF A NEW AREA

Look at aerials
Look at 3-d aerials
Print out aerials
Get topos (1:25000)
Get travel plan maps, know travel regulations
Summer scouting trip HIGHLY recommended
Calls in to Forest Service and/or Fish & Wildlife Dept

I always try to pick a few "flyer" areas, even if I've been hunting the same general area for several years.  Try to find overlooked areas that may not get pressure for various reasons.

[GoPlayOutside]

Remember to SLOW down.  Even when you're thinking you are going slow....go slower.

If I am hunting in my same area's every year.  I don't scout them.  Mostly because they're far away, and I know the animals will be there. 

Practice shooting.

If I'm not putting a stalk on an animal everyday or every other day, I change my location.

[GoPlayOutside]

1 Great thing I have learned from Bow Hunting for many years is:

It has made my rifle hunting Soooo much easier, and more successful.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I took my girlfriend out twice for rifle season.  We went out east cashing muleys.  After two days we hadn't seen a thing.  So we went out a few days after we got back to the wet side and we hadn't walked a mile before a buck walked out she shot him in the neck and dropped him right there.  I still haven't shot a deer.  But that was WAY better to watch her get one her first year!  Can't wait to put her in some elk this year she's hooked.  I cant switch back to rifle till I stick a deer or elk with my bow.  This is the year I can feel it!

[heavy hauler]

 if you want to go into the areas where you hunt and have seen elk , tread lightly.  don't educate the elk by testing out your new cow calls or bugles.  get to a vantage in the dark and watch the sunrise and/or set.  be in the woods during primetime.  if you see your elk camp in daylight and the season is open, something isn't right. obviously just my opinion,  but good luck anyway

[6x6in6]

I was in elk opening morning and eve the second day too they got pressured and left so I did too after 7 days afield.  I went to another spot I knew of for the last four days of early season with no shots taken.  Low success is discouraging to me.  But I love to hunt so ill get after it again this year.  Thanks again for the responses.  I'm getting trail cams and a tree stand this year.  I like to move but I have a feeling if I just stopped for a min the game would come to me.

Do the similar thing you did last year.
Except when you get to the day that they have left area again, try and figure out where the nearest steep and deep area is.  There's a pretty good chance that is where they went.  Remember, elk hate people and want nothing to do with us.  You find the steep and deep, you'll find elk.  Elk are not lazy.  Most people are.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I hope I have one on the ground right as there leaving the area lol