Post by: Odell on June 20, 2014, 02:18:33 PM
First steps- Apply for a tag. There are a lot of opinions on what kind of tag to apply for, what weapon, whats the best unit, etc. I don't know much about elk hunting in WA but I knew three things: I wanted to hunt archery, I wanted to hunt the east side and I wanted a decent chance at drawing a quality tag. This and distance ruled out the blues for me, and a few years ago after a fun hunt for cows in Little Naches, I decided Peaches Ridge would be my target unit.
Fortunately I had been building up points long before I had even been on an elk hunt. I am a waterfowl guy first and last and then I dabble in deer hunting. 2010 took me on my first archery elk hunt, general season by St Helens. It was wet, miserable and I never saw a single elk. I was hooked. In 2012 I applied with 6 points for Peaches Ridge and was not selected. 2013 I didn't hunt elk at all as my first child was due on Sept 3rd. I had a feeling 2014 would be my year.
Think positively. It can't hurt.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi74.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi255%2FOdell_21%2FScreenshot2014-06-20135647_zpsb02876fc.png&hash=a90b357e9226781895188965ca7b9fd28d70e235) (http://s74.photobucket.com/user/Odell_21/media/Screenshot2014-06-20135647_zpsb02876fc.png.html)
Sure enough, I drew the tag and celebrated along with over 100 or so other people. First things first, report on Hunting Washington! After posting a thread and celebrating with others, I spent hours reading past peaches ridge threads, searching the internet, making phone calls, sending pm's and all of that. Sure you have to endure the passive aggressive comments and some outright mocking, but thats how you connect with people and find some help as well as put yourself in a position to help others. Plus it's fun to talk about hunting and your upcoming adventure...I won't lie, I lost a little bit of sleep laying awake dreaming of september.
Next steps: honest self evaluation and goal setting.
Post by: Tbob on June 20, 2014, 03:48:35 PM
Post by: WildBear on June 20, 2014, 05:39:23 PM
Post by: jackelope on June 20, 2014, 05:44:26 PM
Post by: Odell on June 20, 2014, 05:53:55 PM
The bottom line is I will need a lot of hard work, a bit of luck, and all the help I can get.
The Good: I have just about everything I need as far as equipment to hunt out of a big camp, or to carry my camp on my back and hunt the backcountry. I am more familiar with this unit than any other in the state. (though that doesn't say much). I have a flexible job and can hunt every day of the season if I can cover my responsibilities and make sure my daughter has someone watching her as I'm daddy daycare on my days off. I have seen nice bulls in a couple areas and feel confident I can find more areas.
The Bad I haven't shot my bow in a year. Like I said, I'm a waterfowl guy and we had a kid last fall and its stayed in the garage since. Lots of shooting to do this summer. I don't know anything about the higher and western parts of the unit, where it seems most of the bulls might be. And I don't really know much about elk hunting. I've taken one shot on a cow and put the arrow right where I thought I wanted it to be, but saw her alive and well the next day. Other than that I've never even pulled my bow back on an elk. I've only been on 3 different elk hunting trips. I have never even attempted an elk call other than squeeking a primos hootchie mama which got me yelled at by everyone in camp.
The ugly. I said it would be honest self assessment. I'm what they call "fat". Not that fat guys can't kill elk, a quick view of past threads show otherwise. But with my limited skill and experience, lack of fitness will be a huge detriment. Here's a pic of me this March in Sierra Leone.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi74.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi255%2FOdell_21%2FIMG_2475-1_zps35b5ca5f.jpg&hash=d1d8a5fc49e8d57077ea65cda204f6119f0adcee) (http://s74.photobucket.com/user/Odell_21/media/IMG_2475-1_zps35b5ca5f.jpg.html)
In fairness to me, the skinny African kids add 15 lbs... :chuckle: but basically I've been 50 lbs overweight for a decade. I managed to dodge the Ebola out break in Africa and coming home I decided I should lose weight. In April I made a goal to hit the high buck hunt in september and have been working out and eating healthy since. I'm down 19 lbs and will be down at least another 25 by September.
So I set some goals for fitness and mental toughness. Normally I can hunt 3 days before I sleep in the 4th morning and lounge around camp. My goals for this hunt will be to head up August 31, and hunt Sept 2-6th, come home on the 7th, then head back up and hunt the 8-13th. While I could stay up the whole time, I think coming home for a shower, a good nights sleep and to restock supplies will be good for me. Plus it will give me a chance to go to church on Sundays and since I'm the pastor, thats probably a good thing.
So far my goals are around these catergories:
Fitness-Lose another 25 lbs.
Shooting-tune up the bow and put in the hours.
Scouting-at least once a week if I can. With 11 weeks to go, I hope to be up there 10 times.
Learning about elk: Well, In my opinion the best way to learn to hunt something is by hunting it. Too late for that, but I can still learn a lot before September and to get me started I ordered this from Elk Nuts:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi74.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi255%2FOdell_21%2FIMG_5091_zps2913b157.jpg&hash=603194d72e2738cb4535dc81ebdf4ce1f42d2084) (http://s74.photobucket.com/user/Odell_21/media/IMG_5091_zps2913b157.jpg.html)
I ordered it in the morning and had an email about 2 hrs later that it had shipped already. Two days from ordering it was at my house! Great service and already a fascinating read. Lots to learn.
Up next is bow work and ordering some calls from Jason Phelps. Gotta go, its treadmill time.
Post by: lewy on June 20, 2014, 06:43:17 PM
Post by: rtspring on June 20, 2014, 06:50:50 PM
Rtspring
Post by: Odell on June 20, 2014, 07:32:06 PM
Post by: Greenhorn on June 20, 2014, 07:42:54 PM
Post by: rtspring on June 20, 2014, 07:47:25 PM
Post by: rtspring on June 20, 2014, 07:48:56 PM
Following along, I have a modern cow tag for that area where I normally hunt and am always looking for an excuse to go up scouting.
Greenhorn! We got two cow tags! Eat peasy buddy! Uphill side of the road!!!!
Post by: Greenhorn on June 20, 2014, 08:04:47 PM
Greenhorn! We got two cow tags! Eat peasy buddy! Uphill side of the road!!!!
Great to hear RT, I will be seeing you up there this summer sometime and then maybe during the season. When you tie that big ol' bull up, make sure he has a few cows along with him, two for you, one for me. :chuckle:
Post by: coachcw on June 20, 2014, 08:08:20 PM
Post by: TVHunts on June 20, 2014, 08:45:56 PM
Post by: T-Dozzer on June 20, 2014, 09:48:10 PM
Post by: Todd_ID on June 20, 2014, 10:48:19 PM
Calling elk has almost nothing to do with how good you are at making the calls; since the 80's the elk have been the worst callers in the woods. It is all about location and the conversation between you and the elk. The 10% put themselves in positions where failure is a chance and make calls that the elk expect to hear. The 90% puts themselves in a position where success is a remote chance and hope their calls may be right. Put into everyday terms, this conversation could be seen as being in a bank or at a rock concert; the 10% know the difference by what the elk is giving them, and the 90% yell at the banker and whisper at the concert but don't realize their error until the elk is going the other way.
Those who kill elk consistently by calling are able to "feel/know" where the elk wants to go, put themselves there, and then are able to hold a conversation with the elk; it might seem, to a neophyte elk hunter, that putting that all together in the woods to get a shot is almost black magic. In reality, it's nothing more than habitat structure, time of day, geography, thermal currents and phase of the rut/herd size combined into an educated guess. The 10% are just correct much more often than the 90%.
Leave your watch in your pack. When you're hunting elk you have to adjust to their schedule. Sometimes it's a fast paced game, and sometimes the bull takes hours to cover 200 yards. Mornings are generally faster paced than midday. The bull has the advantage in the evening because he can just wait until dark to out fox a human; there are many times it's best to not try to kill that bull just before dark but you could in the morning by being there before daylight. The main key is to make your decisions based on the elk clock instead of our schedules.
Always expect a bull to be coming in silent. You'll never hear a sound, stand up, and there's a bull at 25 yards. That happens more than any of us like to admit. Keep positive throughout the day and season. The second you start to give up hope or get discouraged the elk just won.
Congrats on drawing the tag, and I hope your able to settle your pin gently into the sweet spot for a smooth release on a mature specimen!
Post by: Styles on June 20, 2014, 11:11:44 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on June 22, 2014, 11:00:16 AM
Post by: Odell on June 24, 2014, 09:08:14 AM
Midweek update: Rtspring was right, there is nothing like actually walking the hills to get you in shape. I've been hitting the treadmill on it's steepest incline for a couple months and it has helped me lose almost 20 lbs. Saturday I got out early and hiked the big hill in enumclaw. Wow. Probably twice as difficult and I was way sore for the next day or so. Long way to go in the fitness department.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F14%2F06%2F24%2Fu6u2emed.jpg&hash=64ecad04c854fec72d85656069c55b54097a2fda)
I drug my golden male up there with me because he needs to get in shape for duck season. It took us 31.54 going up the front trail. I figure he cost us a couple minutes stopping to take a dump about 3 times. Glad I filled my pockets with plastic bags. I saw a bunch of people hiking the road up the backside and I think I will try that tomorrow.
Monday I took the day off, crammed a bunch of random gear in my backpack and hit the road at 4:00 am to start scouting.
Apparently it gets light around 4:30am right now so I wasn't in the woods as early as I wanted to be. My goal was to check 3 areas around 3k feet where I have seen elk in the past. I spent most of the morning in the first spot. From reading elknuts play book i wanted to check where I have seen elk bedded in the past and see if they were still using them. It's about a mike hike to get to the first one and The trail in had no fresh sign but when I got about 30 yards from the bedding area I suddenly found fresh sign and instantly smelled elk.
As much as I wanted to see elk I figured there was no point in kicking them out of there if they were in there so I backed out. Another mile to the other bedding area but I got stuck in a maze of reprod that had really grown in the two years since I had been in there. I'm not sure how to hunt when you can't see ten feet.
The second bedding area was in a patch of timber I have never been in but had seen elk coming out of it to feed in the afternoon. I have no idea how you would get in there without alerting the whole county. It's thick and with all the blowdowns it's so loud. Sure enough another active bedding area.
I finished my hike out and ended up at the landing at the top if these old clearcuts and it looked like I had just missed a group of elk. I smelled them before I saw any sign then found about 6 or 8 puddles like this. (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F14%2F06%2F24%2Fpepe4enu.jpg&hash=26e3d40d64bdb1e909bffac09f812bc48fa3b930)
I might have bumped them out but I don't think so.
By the time I was back at my truck I was already out of water and realized I hadn't planned well for scouting. I made a check list of what had been running through my head, things that should be in my pack and truck as well as some truck maintenance. I hadn't checked the jack or spare in a year, I didn't check the weather, I had no extra clothing, not enough water, and NO MAP! It might be a good idea to plan better for scouting.
So after about 8 hours of bumping around my old spots I decided to go follow a map lead someone had posted. But before I left, this guy treated me to a show. I don't see these birds very often and his mating display was incredible.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F14%2F06%2F25%2Fze3anyby.jpg&hash=0dafe9930724afe6cee12f4bc53bec0fef2cdb89)
Whistling jacks has a good map and later that night I hit sportsmans for a few green trails. I will not be hunting my spots down low. Scouting decided that for me. It's time for some map work and a plan for the next place to scout.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F14%2F06%2F25%2Fsedutezu.jpg&hash=67044f6f51fada3086a45241ce4143f2226c39e4)
Family vacation #1 starts Thursday so outside of working out and listening to elk sounds in the car I don't have any scouting plans until July 5. But vacations are dangerous weight gain times for me, usually a pound a day if it's a good one! Now vacation needs to mean rest but not pigging out. We are off to sunriver, and I better come back at the same weight I left...
Question: when you can smell elk does that mean they are close? Or does that smell linger for a while after they have left and if so, how long?
Post by: Rob on June 24, 2014, 09:58:40 AM
Post by: brianmtsinc on June 24, 2014, 10:29:52 AM
Post by: DUGANDEER on June 24, 2014, 10:41:59 AM
Post by: haugenna on June 24, 2014, 10:51:22 AM
Post by: xXLojackXx on June 24, 2014, 06:38:16 PM
You're on the right path to EARNING your own success and wall mounted trophy. Much respect man and good luck with your season. Unfortunately I don't hunt Naches and have little to offer other than what I know about elk hunting and moral support. Will be following this thread and I hope you're able to show others how to go about drawing and filling a quality tag in an unfamiliar unit.
Post by: rosscrazyelk on June 24, 2014, 07:31:19 PM
I will live thru you and your story yet to unfold. Good luck
Post by: bowhiker on June 24, 2014, 09:04:52 PM
Sent from my SM-T210R using Tapatalk
Post by: bowhunterforever on June 25, 2014, 02:07:11 AM
Post by: Whitpirate on June 25, 2014, 06:17:59 AM
Post by: teanawayslayer on June 25, 2014, 06:33:35 AM
Post by: Odell on June 25, 2014, 07:02:38 AM
I look forward to following! I drew the muzzy tag oct. 1-10. I will do a write up after a successful hunt. I did my first scouting trip on sunday. I did not have a lot of time do to working a night job. 3 hours of driving 1 hour of scouting. But well worth it. We saw 14 bulls and a bunch of cows. Most of the bulls were rag horns and spikes. We did see two that were right around the 320 mark. I'm excited to finally have the opportunity to actually hunt branched bulls! Hunt hard have a caller with you it will increase your odds of harvesting a bull. Good luck!!! :tup:
Wow! This is a pretty good example of how far behind the curve I am. One of the things I was figuring out Monday was that knowing how to scout is a skill in itself. After half a day in the woods and only seeing elk on the road as I was driving in, I thought to myself "someone who knows what they are doing could probably find a bunch of bulls in no time..." Sounds like you will be set come October!
Last night I was getting a little discouraged/frustrated about how little I know and how hard it seems getting an arrow into a nice bull, heck ANY bull will be for me. Part of it is feeling like this is an OIL tag because drawing seems like such a long process, it adds pressure to this hunt if I think about it too much. But learning new things is fun, I just need to stay positive and keep putting in the work.
Attitude and effort...the only two things I can really control anyhow right?
Thanks everyone for the positive words and feedback.
Post by: Killmore on June 25, 2014, 08:25:16 AM
Post by: rsrobins on June 25, 2014, 09:50:39 AM
Post by: Killmore on June 25, 2014, 11:15:47 AM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on June 25, 2014, 12:17:28 PM
Post by: rsrobins on June 25, 2014, 01:36:32 PM
Theres know way I'm keeping my inner thoughts to myself, it took me 15 years to draw :chuckle:This has got me in trouble in the past. My anniversary weekend is the weekend before my normal bow season for elk and I usually get reminded that this is our weekend ,elk starts next week remember :dunno: I know what you mean killmore,11 myself and I'm not holding it in either :chuckle:
Post by: chester on June 25, 2014, 01:42:01 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: ctwiggs1 on June 25, 2014, 01:55:40 PM
Theres know way I'm keeping my inner thoughts to myself, it took me 15 years to draw :chuckle:This has got me in trouble in the past. My anniversary weekend is the weekend before my normal bow season for elk and I usually get reminded that this is our weekend ,elk starts next week remember :dunno: I know what you mean killmore,11 myself and I'm not holding it in either :chuckle:
That was poor planning during the engagement period. To be honest though, my wedding was in the last two weeks of duck season. Generally speaking, I lose about two weeks of good duck hunting now every year.
Post by: h20hunter on June 25, 2014, 02:03:24 PM
Post by: 250savage on June 26, 2014, 11:46:17 AM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on June 26, 2014, 11:49:39 AM
Post by: Odell on June 26, 2014, 07:53:09 PM
You have me hooked Odell. I will be following along with you. I admire your honesty and dedication going into this hunt. I am working on some of the same things in preparation for my hunt. I also drew the bull elk tag in October.Good luck to you and maybe I'll see you up there scouting after your sunriver trip. Try to keep the elk thoughts to your inner self while on your trip with the family. This is something I need work on myself.
Great advice! How does listening to elk sounds in the car rate? Other than that I'm trying to focus on family and not eat my weight in bbq.
Post by: BENCHLEG on June 26, 2014, 09:34:43 PM
Post by: brianb231 on June 26, 2014, 09:50:13 PM
Odell, ross hit on it pressure!! Make this hunt what u want out of it you have a great tag don't get caught - up in the trophy bull hype. Have fun learn from yourself and others advise and you will have a hunt of a lifetime, if you get the stud bull or the dink it will still be a great memory for the bank. Pressure to produce will make your hunt a miserable experience. Good luck and enjoy.
We had 3 tags last season and I can guarantee that Benchleg is 100% correct. The pressure of the tag did change the hunt and not in a good way sometimes. Remember to enjoy it!
Post by: BENCHLEG on June 26, 2014, 10:03:06 PM
Post by: MisplacedAlaskan on June 27, 2014, 09:04:17 PM
Post by: wildernessathlete on June 27, 2014, 09:37:29 PM
Post by: Odell on July 08, 2014, 05:59:10 PM
A timely tip talked me out the trail I was planning on and I'm glad I went this route. I filled my pack even though I would be in there less than 24 hours. I had some gear I wanted to test and I wanted to feel the weight of a full pack.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F14%2F07%2F09%2Fu8ajejab.jpg&hash=fdc9f4974aa27117618c9e8cbc81e3007b24310d)
The MRE's are a no go. Too heavy, taste terrible, and way too much trash to pack after. I ate about a third of this and didn't try the mt house meals. A cheese stick and some pecans and water is about all I had and I was fine.
The MSR water filter worked great but it's heavy and takes up a lot of room. My sleep system there is a big Agnes farwell with inflatable mat, stuffed inside my bivy. I decided I'm a tent guy after last night.
The views were incredible and the weather was perfect. And finally, I am putting eyes on elk. I saw 35-40 elk, heard a couple bulls bugling but they were hanging back in the timber. Got some footage with my iPhone of a little spike and some cows and calves.
Every cow seemed to have a calf or two. They seen to be doing well.
I learned a lot about my gear and what I want to swap out. I also learned how far I still have to go physically to hunt like this. I only did 5 miles and the pack was feeling heavy.
I also realized I am uncomfortable in the woods a bit. I wouldn't think twice about paddling my kayak into the Columbia at 3:00 am in 20 degree weather, but I was a bit freaked out about backpacking and sleeping in strange country alone. I didn't love that part, maybe if grows on you. Also, glassing is brutal! Freezing and boring! It was hard for me to do that, I'd rather hike around.
Saw this, I think it's from a dog but it was made overnight outside my camp and there was no one else up there. (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F14%2F07%2F09%2F4anava7u.jpg&hash=7aedb50a5d8ac69728318a69f1147536a3df25f5)
I'll try to post that video of the elk, tapatalk won't seem to do it. This week is bow work and hopefully another trip up there next Monday.
Post by: Mhamil on July 08, 2014, 06:37:46 PM
Post by: bowhiker on July 08, 2014, 10:05:00 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on July 09, 2014, 01:22:45 AM
Post by: Lunchbox1981 on July 09, 2014, 03:46:00 AM
Post by: Netminder01 on July 09, 2014, 06:23:26 AM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on July 09, 2014, 07:28:51 AM
Good work on getting out there - and yes I agree it's tough to get used to hunting alone. I did it for 5 years and I finally jumped back into an elk camp last year.
Curtis
Post by: quadrafire on July 09, 2014, 07:47:44 AM
Post by: 250savage on July 09, 2014, 08:03:33 AM
Post by: Holg3107 on July 09, 2014, 08:35:49 AM
Post by: Odell on July 09, 2014, 11:18:48 AM
Hey now to be fair... You're eating the Vegetable Manicotti (Vegetarian) MRE. I mean come on - if you're going to compare crappy MREs to Green Mountain, at least be fair and use the good stuff LOL
Good work on getting out there - and yes I agree it's tough to get used to hunting alone. I did it for 5 years and I finally jumped back into an elk camp last year.
Curtis
haha, I wondered who would notice the vegetarian meal…but I've tried three now and I just can't handle it. I'll keep the case in my garage for the end of the world.
Post by: Doc Sauce on July 09, 2014, 11:28:26 AM
Tales like this keep my heart in Washington
Post by: ctwiggs1 on July 09, 2014, 11:28:49 AM
There are a lot of tips that anyone who's ever served in a field unit could give you on making them taste better, but generally speaking it's a few days in the field before they taste GOOD. ;-)
The big benefit on MREs over the other stuff is the calorie count. If you're glassing all day, it's not a huge concern. If you're trudging up and down those mountains, it pays to have all those calories. A good example: Average MRE is 1250 calories. Calories in that spaghetti pack is 230. Huge difference.
Curtis
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on July 09, 2014, 11:33:35 AM
Post by: wlandrum on July 09, 2014, 12:38:41 PM
Post by: nw_bowhunter on July 11, 2014, 04:32:51 PM
Post by: Fullabull on July 12, 2014, 12:00:50 AM
Post by: Holg3107 on July 16, 2014, 09:29:20 AM
Post by: goat berries on August 09, 2014, 03:07:00 PM
Post by: jkononen on August 11, 2014, 09:55:30 AM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on August 11, 2014, 10:03:36 AM
Where's the updates?Whats your up date ? :dunno: :chuckle:
Post by: rittem1 on August 11, 2014, 11:05:49 AM
Keep the updates coming! Maybe an update on how much you're improving with your bow?
Post by: de0827 on August 11, 2014, 05:03:23 PM
Post by: 4fletch on August 11, 2014, 06:21:42 PM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on August 12, 2014, 07:34:46 AM
In 40 yrs camping out never had a problem with animals. If you need not to worry about then try to line the perimeter with moth balls. Works on skunks should work on bigger critters too
I've only had a problem with one animal - free range cattle!!!! I ended up heading back and sleeping in the vehicle that night ;-)
Post by: rtspring on August 12, 2014, 07:44:59 AM
Post by: subagang707 on August 12, 2014, 10:35:57 AM
Post by: Odell on August 12, 2014, 11:32:59 AM
Well not as much to update as I had hoped. July was full of work and another family vacation to California. I've been able to drop another 7 pounds and my fitness and ability to haul up Mt Peak was going great until last week. I tore something in my shoulder and tweaked my neck.
Currently I can't draw my bow and I haven't even tried to lift a heavy pack yet. Its been like this for 5 days and I'm pretty concerned.
In July I ditched my WB and got a Ripcord drop away rest. I was really surprised what a difference it made and my groups were looking great. I was just about to start shooting broadheads when I screwed my neck/shoulder up. I'm hoping it will be better in a couple days, if not I'll see a chiro. This morning I was concerned enough about it that I sent an email to WDFW asking what happens if I can't draw my bow and the season gets here…we will see what they say.
I was able to trade my Bivy with Logan on here for his Marmot Pulsar 2p tent. It worked out as a great trade for both of us and I really like this tent.
Headed up tomorrow for more scouting and working on stretching/ice/heat on my neck.
Calling: Well this is NOT going well! I started working on calling and bugling, I feel pretty good about my cow calls with a mellow yellow reed and also a phelps external call. Bugling is another story. If you didn't know what a bugle was and I said "guess what animal this is…" well I think distressed dolphin might be the most common guess. Lots to learn, but its fun to try. No, I won't be posting a youtube video... :chuckle:
Lately things have been so hectic and then adding the injury has me feeling more pressure instead of enjoying the process but I just need to relax a little and trust that putting in the work will pay off and hopefully I heal quickly.
I was able to talk two buddies who don't hunt but are pretty fit and experienced backpackers into joining me the first week. Free pack mules and good company so thats great. Hopefully they get hooked on the whole deal and decide to try hunting sometime in the future. I did get one of them in the duck blind last year and he enjoyed that.
Thanks for the comments and the encouragement, I'll be updating a couple times a week from here on out.
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on August 12, 2014, 12:04:06 PM
Post by: Odell on August 12, 2014, 01:06:14 PM
I think your cow call will pay off much better than Bull calls! :tup: Too early IMO for challenge talk.
That matches what a few others have told me as well. I was hoping to locate bulls using a bugle at night and in some other scenarios but maybe the cow call will work just as well.
Post by: rtspring on August 12, 2014, 04:38:43 PM
Try to be quiet but remember elk are noisy animals! I almost always hear them before I see them.
If elk are vocal, even just the cows, you will hear them calling back and forth.
As for the bugle, when bulls are screaming, any bugle thats close to what an elk does will work. Its the days when they go silent that you really need to bugle well. Dont try to sound like the biggest bull on the mountain either.
Good luck
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on August 12, 2014, 05:07:28 PM
Try to walk 50 yds, slowly, stopping every ten feet or so. At every 50 yds or so cow call. When you call stay still for 5-10 mins. Listen and look!!!!
Try to be quiet but remember elk are noisy animals! I almost always hear them before I see them.
If elk are vocal, even just the cows, you will hear them calling back and forth.
As for the bugle, when bulls are screaming, any bugle thats close to what an elk does will work. Its the days when they go silent that you really need to bugle well. Dont try to sound like the biggest bull on the mountain either.
Good luck
Im with RT.
I have had more Bulls come in too Cow calls than any other call, especially early on.
Like he said, move slowly, call, wait! Sometimes they come in so silent. Keep your eyes peeled for movement, and watch your backside! ;)
It'll scare the crap out of ya the first time one comes in from behind. You wont know it till you move and he friggen crashes the woods to get the heck out of there.
Post by: bowhiker on August 12, 2014, 09:24:22 PM
Post by: Odell on August 14, 2014, 11:18:43 AM
Maybe this bull will be considered decent halfway through…
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi74.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fi255%2FOdell_21%2Fth_IMG_5200_zps9c9491b4.mp4&hash=f467771d4eca4c776dcf8fb1e9a3c7fbddde3a25) (http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i255/Odell_21/IMG_5200_zps9c9491b4.mp4)
Post by: robertsjd on August 19, 2014, 01:40:35 PM
Post by: rtspring on August 19, 2014, 04:06:55 PM
Rtspring
Post by: Odell on August 20, 2014, 07:47:44 AM
Gonna be around up there sat or sunday. Keep up on the scouting!! Its almost go time for some..
Rtspring
I can't believe how quick the past few months have gone. One more scouting trip for me early next week and thats it…
Good news on my shoulder and neck, feeling almost 100% today and plan on shooting tonight. We will see how it goes.
Post by: WALLEYEGUY on August 20, 2014, 08:12:23 AM
Post by: Odell on August 30, 2014, 10:04:21 AM
Here's where I am at.
Gear: Think I'm dialed in though my pack is a bit heavy going in.
Weight loss: I wanted to lose 40, I lost 30
Scouting: I wanted to get 10 scouting trips in, I only got 5.
Calling: I wanted to learn how to call. I'll let the elk be the judge of that but safe to say I won't be entering any contests! My cow calling using the Mellow Yellow is probably what I'm best at. Bugling? Still sounds more like a whale than an elk. :D
I went in Thursday for a last look. Hiked 15 or more miles and am still recovering! Yikes. Decided on my plan A and chose a new access point. Pretty steep going in but fewer miles and should be easier coming out.
There are lots of elk in the area. Hopefully I can find a stupid one!
My current goal is to try to get a mature 5 or 6 point week 1. I won't shoot any bull, no matter how tempting. We will see if I can hold to that. I don't want to pack out a rag horn on my back when I still have 6-7 days to hunt. Week 2 I will be hunting from a base camp with a nice cot and canvas tent. We will see how much energy I have left but it will be nice to have a comfy bed and some real food.
Thanks to all who have added tips, encouragement and offered help. I have at least 4 people who have offered to help pack an elk out. Hopefully you will be getting a phone call!
I can't believe its time…hitting the trail early monday morning and spending this nice rainy weekend with my wife and daughter…and carb loading…lol.
Thanks again everyone!
David
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on August 30, 2014, 10:18:21 AM
Post by: kevinlisa06 on August 30, 2014, 11:50:47 AM
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Post by: CoyoteCowboy on August 31, 2014, 10:24:43 AM
Post by: Vulcan on August 31, 2014, 02:49:07 PM
Can't wait to see your update! Good luck!
Post by: 4fletch on August 31, 2014, 03:27:57 PM
Post by: Cap.Silver on August 31, 2014, 04:52:37 PM
Post by: bowhiker on September 01, 2014, 07:49:02 PM
Post by: The Weazle on September 02, 2014, 10:54:31 AM
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Post by: 250savage on September 02, 2014, 03:30:12 PM
Post by: The Fin on September 02, 2014, 07:21:13 PM
Post by: ELKBURGER on September 03, 2014, 11:20:04 AM
Post by: Odell on September 06, 2014, 02:34:17 PM
I learned quickly that cow calling and bulging along with a CD is much easier than when you are alone in a canyon hoping to call elk. Still a long ways to go for me, but I did bugle up a few bulls the last night. Too bad they were on the wrong side of the PCT.
Had some nasty weather tuesday night/wednesday morning and my gear and camp held up well. I wasn't prepared for the wear and tear of 4-5 days hunting. On the way out I was pretty spent and couldn't imagine packing an elk out, but I had some help and we would have done if we had to.
Working this weekend and then heading back in, but going lower and hunting from my truck/tent set up. Should be nice to have better food and a comfy cot!
Props to you guys who hunt backcountry all the time. I can see why you like it and it takes some serious dedication and stamina. Congrats to all the successful hunters, was nice to come home and see some bulls on the ground.
Post by: Odell on September 06, 2014, 03:52:58 PM
I thought the light rain would of helped you a bit tuesday. Hopefully it wont dry out too much up there. Give me a shout when you get a bull and need help. I like hiking out of nasty places.
It didn't feel like light rain with that wind and fog!
Post by: ridgefire on September 06, 2014, 06:16:46 PM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on September 10, 2014, 08:02:55 AM
I thought the light rain would of helped you a bit tuesday. Hopefully it wont dry out too much up there. Give me a shout when you get a bull and need help. I like hiking out of nasty places.
It didn't feel like light rain with that wind and fog!
Any bull??? Pullin' for ya buddy!!
Post by: Odell on September 12, 2014, 09:58:50 AM
Blew my best opportunity on tuesday. Had a small bull at 50 yards but the wind betrayed me. Passed on a very nice chocolate colored bear, shot a grouse and ate it. Its been fun. Still holding out hope.
Post by: jstone on September 12, 2014, 10:08:41 AM
Post by: ctwiggs1 on September 12, 2014, 10:10:13 AM
Had to come back off the hill, just completely exhausted plus checked in with wife and baby and both are sick. Last day is tomorrow for me, I'll be up there o dark 30.
Blew my best opportunity on tuesday. Had a small bull at 50 yards but the wind betrayed me. Passed on a very nice chocolate colored bear, shot a grouse and ate it. Its been fun. Still holding out hope.
GOGOGO!! Hit it hard! Hey if you're exhausted that means you know you've given it everything you can. Great work!
Post by: Odell on September 12, 2014, 10:53:31 AM
Have they been talking yet or are they still quiet?
Except for one bull opening morning it's been really quiet. Not sure if everyone is experiencing that or if it's just where I have been. But I've hit steep deep backcountry and the lower little natches and a few spots in between
Post by: lamrith on September 12, 2014, 11:27:15 AM
Have you gone out at night at all, try locator from high up?Have they been talking yet or are they still quiet?
Except for one bull opening morning it's been really quiet. Not sure if everyone is experiencing that or if it's just where I have been. But I've hit steep deep backcountry and the lower little natches and a few spots in between
Warm, clear and big moon probably has them feeding at night bed all day. Late night locator calling may let you zero in on them so setup between feed and bed and attack at daybreak. They may even be talking on own at night.
Post by: Odell on September 15, 2014, 09:35:43 AM
What I would do differently:
- If you are like me, unexperienced at elk hunting and not in great shape but want to shoot a bull, I would start hunting the unit you hope to draw, just as if you had a bull tag. If it has any open season at all, pack in there, spend the same time and effort chasing them and then when you draw you will be way ahead of the game. I chased cows down low for a few years in little natches, then tried to go all out when I drew the bull tag. I should have been hunting the backcountry for spikes and cows when I had the chance before I drew, then I wouldn't have had the time crunch of trying to learn so much in a short time. If you aren't experienced, try to get some experience before you draw. I wish I would have.
-Better physical shape. I wasn't prepared for how tired I would be. You only think about the hike in and out, then assume that each day in between is hunting and won't be as hard. Wrong. Early rising, hiking all day, sleeping on the ground, eating mt house, all of it wears you down. It took me off the hill 2 days early the second week and when i went back I was more like a zombie than a hunter.
-Have a hunting partner. Going it alone is tough. I had company 2 days out of the 9 I hunted.
-Hunting an area or a type of terrain is different than hunting elk. Steep and Deep? Well I went steep and deep and learned there are plenty of steep areas with no elk! Hunt where elk are, not where they were or you think they should be.
With a do over, I would have scouted way more in late august. I found an area full of elk in July and then left it alone. When I hiked all the way in there in Sept they were gone but I was too committed to the area, should have scrapped it and started over sooner. If the elk aren't there, what can you do?
Right now I'm a little discouraged and feel bad. I know many on this forum would have a nice bull on the ground if they would have had my tag and I couldn't get it done. I think I have a little hunting season hangover! But it is what it is, I had my turn and hopefully I'll have another soon and be better prepared. Thanks again everyone, i'll see you in the Nile for late season… :D
Post by: ctwiggs1 on September 15, 2014, 09:43:13 AM
Curtis
Post by: quadrafire on September 15, 2014, 09:48:06 AM
It's not all about the kill, I think you did well with the JOURNEY!!!!!
Post by: jstone on September 15, 2014, 09:48:15 AM
Post by: robertsjd on September 15, 2014, 10:23:59 AM
Post by: bearpaw on September 15, 2014, 04:13:55 PM
Post by: rtspring on September 15, 2014, 04:32:07 PM
Congrats on trying your best! I wish I could of helped more..
Post by: rsrobins on September 16, 2014, 08:33:13 AM
Post by: brianb231 on September 16, 2014, 08:49:06 AM
Brianb231
Post by: elkoholic1 on September 16, 2014, 09:13:05 AM
Post by: Odell on September 16, 2014, 12:43:19 PM
Post by: xXLojackXx on September 16, 2014, 01:15:38 PM
Thanks for the encouragement everyone, It was a successful season in many ways. I might have to start west side hunting, want to learn how to chase bulls and don't want to wait 8 more years!
Do exactly what you states before. Hunt for bulls and stick one of the cows with him when you don't have the tag. Then you'll be much better at closing on mature bulls when you get the tag again.
I too am waiting on a bull tag. Every year I have multiple close encounters (with shot opportunities) on bulls, and when a cow or spike gives me the opportunity I stick them. Whenever I do draw the tag, I'll be ready, having hunted the same way that'll produce an opportunity for 8 years now.
Congrats on shortening your learning curve and giving it all you had.
Post by: brianmtsinc on September 16, 2014, 08:07:17 PM
Hang in there... the disappointment fades in time. I had that tag last year along with my best friend and hunting partner, BrianB321. I (we) have never prepared more. We know Peaches very well. We scouted, mapped out plans, prepared strategies, and went mostly steep and deep the full hunt. It was the absolute hardest we have ever hunted, and we were successful filling Brian's tag, but not mine. :'( Truthfully, I was depressed. And not just "bummed", I was depressed. I felt like a failure. This was the tag I waited and prepared for and frankly with my limited knowledge of the state, it is where I would choose to hunt above anywhere else.
As time went by I began to look back and smile about some of the amazing encounters I had that season. I had a 360 class bull 6 yards from me on the other side of a tree for 3 minutes.... sad that I couldn't put it together, but an amazing experience! I had a beautiful 7 pt 30yrds from me that just wouldn't give me the shot. Frustrating, but cool! And many many more.... All that said, I now look back and realize I learned a lot and became a better hunter through it. My calling skills improved. My attention to the wind improved. My patience improved. Etc... I believe you will soon start to feel some of the same things, but until that happens, know that there are many of us that have been in your shoes - and will probably be there again :chuckle: .... Somehow I got lucky enough to hunt with my uncle in Peaches this year and it was amazing. I also got lucky and drew a White River muzzy tag that kicks off in another couple of weeks!! So you never know, you may be hunting the Peaches again sooner than you think! :tup:
Get back on the horse and go chase those bulls - tag or not - and you will be much more prepared next time around :tup:
Thank you for sharing your adventure! :tup:
Brian C.
Post by: Greenhorn on September 16, 2014, 09:25:39 PM
Post by: 270Shooter on September 16, 2014, 09:38:34 PM
Post by: Elkfever on September 28, 2014, 07:55:26 PM
Post by: Falcon on September 29, 2014, 08:01:49 AM
Great post.
You learned much in your journey and you should have no regrets.
Hunting is much more then putting you tag on an animal.
Much more!!!
Your dream bull be will be there in the future and when it happens it will
Be all the sweeter!!!!!
Post by: 206dawgfan on October 03, 2014, 01:13:40 AM
Post by: iRem on October 03, 2014, 12:57:11 PM
Like everyone else has indicated throughout this tread, this was very inspirational to read. While seeking advice through humility and lack of knowledge, you in no way deceived anyone in knowing what or how to hunt elk, for that my hat is off to you! The experience that you gained this season is invaluable and well documented for next season. Thanks for sharing, god has blessed you indeed.
Paul