Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: WapitiTalk1 on June 27, 2020, 08:23:44 PM
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Yes, there’s a LOT more to successful elk hunting than one tip or trick, much..much more. But, if you were to share a single “pearl” with a newer elk hunter to help them down the path, what would it be? Let’s here em’ ;)
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Don’t lose focus
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Follow the tracks.
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Keep the wind in your face
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Hunt close to home. The more days you spend glassing the first and last 45 minutes of each day and the more trail cams you can run, the better. You can live in a horrible elk area and achieve greater success their than traveling to a great area you know nothing about.
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Perseverance.
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You have to go after them. Don't wait for them to come to you
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Don't quit the hunt too soon. They are very patient.
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Make noise when calling. Break sticks, roll rocks, rake trees, etc... IMO too many elk hunters are way too silent.
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Hunt where there are elk.
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Get in good shape, get away from the road early in the morning before first light.
Bring your lunch and don't come out till dark, have a flashlight or three.
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Hunt all day. Many elk die at noon.
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Elk are about 1000% easier to kill when they don't know they're being hunted.
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You don’t have to be 10 miles in to the back country to find elk.
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Don’t drive up and shut off the truck and 2 seconds later bugle from the road/truck
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For every pearl there is one elk that will defy it.
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Don't get stuck hunting the same spot because you saw elk there a couple weeks ago when you were scouting or deer hunting. The elk move around a lot. That being said, they will tend to frequent some of the same areas year in and out. But don't stay in the same spot if you aren't finding elk or fresh elk sign.
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Drive the roads at night. Stop and bugle every few hundred yards and listen where you've seen sign during the day or while scouting. If you get a response, they'll normally be in the same spot or close the next day.
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Take all your scent products, especially that eliminator spray, and throw them in the trash can
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When the wind is wrong, take a nap
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They will hear you 3 times, see you twice, but only smell you once
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Keep your Knife razor sharp.... you never know when a Big Bull might Commit Suicide right out in front! :chuckle:
Doug
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Don't chase elk going away. Even at their slowest they are a lot faster than you. You'll just end up tired.
If they aren't responding to calls shut up and stalk silently.
Elk are noisy when they walk through the woods. Don't let foot placement slow you down.
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Crazy video
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It all comes down to:
Right place, right time.
If you trueLy known an area, you’ll know where they “disappear” to when they get pushed by the pumpkin squad.
Be there
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Never leave elk to find elk .
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Number one piece of advice is persistence. Everyone I know that consistently kills elk hunts hard and the whole season. Those that show up for opening weekend and spend time in camp during the daylight are the reasons our success rates are low. Lots of people kill elk every year or damn close to it. A lot of that is being in the woods more than everyone else.
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The only time I go back to camp is when it is dark.
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Spend time watching and listening to them. The better you recognize their habits the easier they are to hunt. For instance there’s a certain canyon we hunt in September, you cannot beat them in their in the morning, but it’s a play ground in the afternoon. Killed 4 cows and if big bulls were open we would have 6. Learn your quarry they learn you.
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When you find them don't rush to get the shot. Take your time and get set up. A solo bull is a lot easier to sneak up on versus an entire herd. Elk noses are spectacular at finding your scent.
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Hunt slower. Went you think your sneaking along at the right speed, go just a little slower.
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Allways make yourself think it's about to happen every second at all times around every corner so u will be ready when The opportunity comes. Glass a lot. Walk slow. Stop looking at the tracks on the ground unless ur actively tracking (keep ur eyes looking up)
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Don't bugle in ur truck
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Do stuff other people won't. You know the elk are hanging out in a canyon 5 miles from the truck? Be there at daybreak every day of the season. But have a plan to get him out when you get him. Good buddies on speed dial who will come pack when you call are invaluable. But do the same for them when they need it.
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Avoid major human trails/closed roads when possible. Instead walk 20 yards to the right or left of them. You will often find a game trail they are using.
