Post by: WapitiTalk1 on August 04, 2014, 02:29:12 PM
Calling, stalking, equipment, bivy camps, packing list gotta haves, survival, navigation, etc. Please share a tip that has worked for you in the elk woods. Big or small, let's hear them.
I'll start. I carry two contractor grade black plastic sacks in my pack (and have for many years). In a pinch, they can actually provide shelter for the night, use them to line your pack so the meat bags don't leak through, and, they provide impromtu "waders" when you can't find a log to crawl across a raging stream and don't want to soak your boots/pants.
Post by: rover758 on August 04, 2014, 02:47:19 PM
Post by: tonymiller7 on August 04, 2014, 02:48:45 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 04, 2014, 02:50:12 PM
Post by: syoungs on August 04, 2014, 02:52:47 PM
Don't try to get in elk shape a week before the opener.
Post by: ellensburgpo on August 04, 2014, 02:56:47 PM
Post by: Tbar on August 04, 2014, 03:38:49 PM
Get more then 200yds from the
:dunno:
They are big animals.
Post by: Opportunist on August 04, 2014, 03:54:32 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on August 04, 2014, 03:59:46 PM
Elk are really heavy, bring friends or shoot them on a road.
:yeah: I have 5 good people who have stepped up to help cover the expanse of my two week long elk hunt. Its tempting to have them all out at once for some good memories around the campfire and what not, but the reality is that I just need at least one more pair of legs to help carry the meat out. Ergo, I have scheduled my helpers across the calendar of my hunt.
Post by: snarkybull on August 04, 2014, 04:34:25 PM
http://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Smart-Phone-Charger-Blue/dp/B00C7YHJZG (http://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Smart-Phone-Charger-Blue/dp/B00C7YHJZG)
keeps you in contact with your hunting partner and elk packers, and keeps the fam from freaking out. might even let you watch hawks & packers.
Post by: EyeTooth on August 04, 2014, 05:32:16 PM
Post by: Eli346 on August 04, 2014, 07:59:13 PM
Post by: Tbob on August 05, 2014, 12:17:49 PM
Post by: pc on August 05, 2014, 01:56:50 PM
Post by: Mike450r on August 05, 2014, 02:09:42 PM
Post by: irishevox on August 05, 2014, 02:12:01 PM
Post by: RadSav on August 05, 2014, 02:57:55 PM
The more you think like an elk the more your success as a hunter will improve.
If you "Think" you can make the shot...get closer! When you "Know" you can make the shot...take it!
If you have had a hard time filling your elk tag don't try to be a Youtube star...leave the dang video camera in the pack.
Post by: washelkhunter on August 05, 2014, 02:59:24 PM
Post by: 724wd on August 05, 2014, 03:34:30 PM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on August 05, 2014, 03:38:58 PM
Post by: TommyH on August 05, 2014, 03:49:00 PM
Post by: rtspring on August 05, 2014, 03:56:50 PM
Post by: wadu1 on August 05, 2014, 04:35:56 PM
Post by: Stizz on August 05, 2014, 05:21:57 PM
Post by: Beargravy on August 05, 2014, 05:37:05 PM
Post by: Coastal_native on August 05, 2014, 07:46:20 PM
I never follow any of that advice, but it sounds logical.
Post by: buckhorn2 on August 05, 2014, 08:53:33 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on August 05, 2014, 08:58:01 PM
Post by: bigsads on August 05, 2014, 09:26:27 PM
Post by: xXLojackXx on August 05, 2014, 09:44:32 PM
Post by: pd on August 05, 2014, 10:05:54 PM
Post by: coachcw on August 05, 2014, 10:22:32 PM
Post by: Jellymon on August 05, 2014, 10:39:03 PM
Post by: RadSav on August 05, 2014, 10:53:40 PM
Post by: coachcw on August 05, 2014, 11:27:37 PM
Both RT and Coach posted...and not one mention of pale face needing to avoiding indian fire stick :o After last years experience I would figure that would be a high priority tip :dunno:no doubt if you eat that stuff there's a pretty good chance you be leaving clothes on the mountain or down the outhouse ! It's hard to kill a bull when you have no undies!
Post by: shootanfish on August 06, 2014, 04:14:28 PM
Don't let them flank you. Bring plenty of knives and put black pepper on 1/4 to keep bugs off.
This year I am adding a rope and pulley to my bag.
Post by: Johnb317 on August 06, 2014, 04:28:02 PM
Once you get one, get the hide off !
( and if you don't know it, check out the gutless method )
Post by: kentrek on August 06, 2014, 04:55:05 PM
Post by: matlockmike on August 06, 2014, 09:32:04 PM
Post by: Jacque on August 06, 2014, 09:50:00 PM
Post by: lostbackpacker on August 06, 2014, 09:57:12 PM
Post by: runningboard on August 06, 2014, 10:17:24 PM
don't get caught up in "one shot, one kill" too much, as mentioned earlier by another, "shoot until he stays down."
Post by: coachcw on August 06, 2014, 10:31:50 PM
Post by: huntnnw on August 06, 2014, 10:33:33 PM
Post by: Dbax129 on August 06, 2014, 11:03:50 PM
Frequent hunting forums like this, and discover who the truly successful hunters are. Find out where they live, and follow them into the woods. That is my plan this year. :o
http://popular.ebay.com/consumer-electronics/gps-tracking-device.htm (http://popular.ebay.com/consumer-electronics/gps-tracking-device.htm)
One step ahead of ya pal...
Post by: brianmtsinc on August 06, 2014, 11:05:35 PM
I never hit the woods without one in my mouth and 2 or 3 more in my pocket.
Post by: Tbar on August 06, 2014, 11:19:23 PM
Post by: jstone on August 07, 2014, 06:06:36 AM
Post by: buglebrush on August 07, 2014, 12:45:13 PM
Make sure you are where you want to be an hour before first light. This is especially important in the archery season as many of the elk will talk that first hour, and then shutup for the day when it is hot. In my spot it means hiking by 2:30 AM. Also, don't head back until it is too dark to shoot. I can't fathom people who work so hard to get up the mountain, then head for the truck with an hour of shooting light left :dunno: Maybe they don't have a good headlamp & sidearm? :sry:
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 07, 2014, 01:12:32 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on August 07, 2014, 01:48:38 PM
Unless you SEE them fall, take at least half hour. Even if convinced of a "perfect" shot. Not for the elk but for you. Adrenaline can do wierd things to sensory perception, and taking the time to let the information download, will help in making calm, and more importantly clear decisions. Key information about body angle, point of entry, exit trails etc... I have often remembered well after the shot. And hearing the "crash" while important, has not been fool proof in my experience.
Post by: Rrich2278 on August 07, 2014, 08:54:16 PM
Post by: Quackwhacker on August 08, 2014, 12:09:28 AM
Post by: hike2hunt on August 08, 2014, 05:00:47 AM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on August 08, 2014, 08:20:36 AM
Post by: irishevox on August 13, 2014, 07:38:31 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1054.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs482%2Firishevox%2F20140809_191040_zps245e3438.jpg&hash=fffe1d8838a7194f68ad8004cf3b311822d2d183) (http://s1054.photobucket.com/user/irishevox/media/20140809_191040_zps245e3438.jpg.html)
Post by: rover758 on August 13, 2014, 08:09:38 AM
Post by: irishevox on August 13, 2014, 08:22:20 AM
Post by: 4fletch on August 13, 2014, 08:28:09 AM
Post by: Old Man Yager on August 13, 2014, 09:56:00 AM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on August 13, 2014, 10:07:02 AM
Always follow up and track even if you think you might have missed. Watched 2 Yahoos shooting at a 4pt raghorn at dark a few years back. The bull continued out through the clearcut, and these 2 idiots didn't even step off the road to see if they had hit the bull. Me and my buddy and his son hiked out, drove down to a lower road, and looked for the bull for 2 hours after dark. Found it dead the next morning about 200 yards further in from where we were the night before.
did ya tag it?