Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: BowForElk on September 04, 2013, 08:51:55 PM

Title: Treestand Hunting Techniques- Archery
Post by: BowForElk on September 04, 2013, 08:51:55 PM: So this is my first year hunting from a tree stand. I picked one up online got a good deal and though what the hell lets give it a shot.

Anyways I wanted to throw out some questions to some of you that hunt from treestands regulary.

Today was the first day I could get out to hunt (deer and elk) So I climb into my stand at about 0545 and I had a couple bulls bugle a few times and I realize I left all my elk calls in the truck :bash: :bash: :bash: I could hear about 5 different elk moving around me about 50 yards ( theres a lot of cover where my stand is 30 yrds is a long shot) but I never did see them. I went back this evening and Im pretty sure they moved on for the night so ill be back in the morning WITH MY CALLS

My questions for you guys are your calling techniques from a tree stand if any different
And how long or how often to you keep going back to your tree stand?

I work 4 days then Im off two so I can hunt it ever 4 days but if Im consistently not seeing game how long do I stick it out? Ive got a cam where this stand is and I got pictures of deer and elk particularly a 4 point bull. I have other cams around the area that I get pics of the same bull and cows so I could move the stand.

And how long do you stay in your stand? I climbed down at 1245 ( most my pics of the bull came at 1230 so I figured Id stick around) Is that too long cause my butt sure thinks so!

I guess any tips or techniques you could give on treestand etiquette and hunting would be sweet!

Thanks !!

Jason
Title: Re: Treestand Hunting Techniques- Archery
Post by: elkaddict652 on September 04, 2013, 09:34:10 PM: :yeah: Also new to treestand hunting and have some of the same questions.
Title: Re: Treestand Hunting Techniques- Archery
Post by: hillbilli on September 05, 2013, 02:30:10 AM: what time of day, how long to sit largely depends on what you are seeing on your camera- in other words what time you know they come through, and how long you can sit still. (if you get to the point where you are unconfortable and moving and fidgeting every 5 minutes.. then you should just get down in my opinion) For deer- you can hunt the first 2-3 hours and last 2-3 hours of daylight and be successful, and a lot of times you can for elk as well.. If you know the elk use it mid-day, then it makes sense to try to be there mid day. if you have a lot of elk traffic at that spot, and they were close, just not quite close enough- and they didnt wind you and run off up the mountain- then I would definitely try another sit or two there. I would do the best i could to minimize scent impact- try to enter and leave that spot if possible without walking across their trail. Thats my imput- but I've stand hunted for deer much more than I have for elk.
Title: Re: Treestand Hunting Techniques- Archery
Post by: Eli346 on September 05, 2013, 04:37:58 AM: Try leaving some elk scent around the stand in select locations where you might want them to stop for a shot. Have those spots ranged ahead of time and get ready.
Title: Re: Treestand Hunting Techniques- Archery
Post by: Brad Harshman on September 05, 2013, 09:09:50 AM: Bring a book, food, water, and pee bottle. Stay dawn to dusk if you can. Its actually much harder to sit and be patient then you think. Also, though it might be too late now, a mineral salt block will help attack and keep them occupied. Put it within comfortable shooting range. What else are you going to do all day anyway?
Title: Re: Treestand Hunting Techniques- Archery
Post by: seth30 on September 05, 2013, 09:11:51 AM: Have you practiced shooting from your stand, sitting and standing, working around the harness to learn which angles wont work? Shooting with gloves on/off, and jacket on/off. All of these things can effect your shooting :twocents:
Title: Re: Treestand Hunting Techniques- Archery
Post by: Stizz on September 05, 2013, 09:24:28 AM: Im with brad...sit dark to dark, its obviously going to give you the best odds. Its tough, but you know if you can pull it off its only a matter of time. I dont like to call from my stand at all, for many reasons. If you were going to though id save it for when elk wander past and start heading out of range.
Title: Re: Treestand Hunting Techniques- Archery
Post by: BowForElk on September 05, 2013, 11:52:22 AM: I put it up at my house a couple times to get the hang of it and I did shoot from it so were all good there. I was in it from 0545 to 1230 and again from 1600 to 2000. It definitely is hard to sit still that long but I stuck it out.

I put out a Cow elk scent wafer and I put a salt lick out last evening. I went back again this morning but there was some pretty intense lightning and thunder and I just think they were holed up somewhere else so I sat for a few hours and then climbed down and made a mile and a half loop through the timber jumped a doe with twins which didnt present a shot nor would I have taken it anyway. I gotta go back to work and im on call for the next 4 days but Ill hit it again next tuesday.

I figures I hunt it tuesday wednesday and if I got no movement still and nothing on my cameras im gonna move. The elk have been there all the way up until now so im gonna move some cameras around and see if I cant get back on em. I dont care Cow or bull but I would really like to stab one from the stand.

Ill try to see if I can make it all day, It would be a lot easier if I was getting game coming by even if I didnt get a shot it gets the blood pumpin and passes the time!