Post by: Aginor on September 16, 2020, 11:10:27 AM
Post by: rainshadow1 on September 16, 2020, 11:46:50 AM
I know some guys who do well on big rosie bulls bushwhacking where life isn't fit for man nor beast... but they're crazy!
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 16, 2020, 01:44:14 PM
Post by: Aginor on September 16, 2020, 02:00:35 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on September 16, 2020, 02:12:18 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on September 16, 2020, 08:36:59 PM
Post by: CascadeCruiser on September 16, 2020, 10:05:00 PM
Post by: Humptulips on September 17, 2020, 01:04:58 AM
I have a little more then 50 years elk hunting, all on the west side of the OP. I can't say I get an elk every year but most.
The standard way we always used to hunt was to find elk tracks. Yes, we looked over clearcuts and I have gotten elk by spotting them in a clearcut but mostly we would find tracks and track them down.
A few things to consider when tracking. Never leave the track to try and short cut across where you think the elk are going because often as not you will be wrong and you will make a time consuming lose.
The hardest tracking is when you are catching the elk. When they are jumped and running anyone can track them. Not so easy when they slow down. They slow down to feed and they eat brush so that is where you usually catch them. Keep that in mind when tracking and keep your eyes peeled. Listen a lot. Often you will hear them before you see them. I always feel their droppings. If they have any warmth they are close.
In the past when you jumped a herd they often would not go far before they stopped. things have changed in the last 20 years and elk go farther when jumped so I would say jumping them late in the day is tough but it gives you an idea where to go the next day.
All this worked well when there was timber to hunt in. I'm getting stove up and the steep hills are hard for me now so I have to stick to flatter ground which typically runs to doghair. Chasing them in that is not very effective. I end up still looking for tracks and trying to make an educated guess on their direction. Then try and waylay them where I think they might cross some opener ground. I find this to be a crapshoot but it is about all you can do because if you chase them in the doghair even if you catch them you rarely see them.
I think sitting in one spot and waiting for the elk to walk by is a poor plan especially if you have any get up and go. If you can't get around good there is some logic to it but it takes a lot of scouting because there are not many spots will it will work consistently.
OK, theres my :twocents: If you use it or not, good luck. We all could use a little.
Post by: HntnFsh on September 17, 2020, 05:55:25 AM
Post by: Aginor on September 17, 2020, 08:13:14 AM
What I’m getting out of this is that I should go with finding a trail and following it. Any advice on where they like to travel to help me pick up a trail? I often see tracks on riverbanks, but anywhere else in particular like gullies, ridges, benches, etc?
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on September 17, 2020, 08:38:07 AM
Post by: Humptulips on September 17, 2020, 11:02:04 AM
Wow, thanks, everyone for the great advice. I was looking at 615 in particular. I use a hammock though, so no worries on the tent.Go where the elk have been. If you see old sign eventually they will be back. Anyplace where there is a lot of browse is a candidate to look over. Cover some country, don't get too wrapped up in one spot because you see some sign though. It's a big country and the elk aren't in a lot of it so burn some shoe leather. I'm not much for road hunting as in where you can drive but there is nothing wrong with walking a road if there is no traffic on it. The point being you can wear yourself out dipping a canyon or walk around the canyon on an old road and probably get a good idea if there are elk around.
What I’m getting out of this is that I should go with finding a trail and following it. Any advice on where they like to travel to help me pick up a trail? I often see tracks on riverbanks, but anywhere else in particular like gullies, ridges, benches, etc?
If there is good feed the elk will frequent it so let that be your guide. That being said weather and terrain are huge factors when tracking. It is much easier to track elk on steep ground and flat ground can be difficult. If there is a downpour all day or days it can become impossible so maybe you have to modify things as you go. Still look for tracks but maybe you can't follow them but it can give you an idea of direction.
I'm always hoping for nice weather but not too much. A little rain every third day would be perfect but the rain gods seldom listen to me.
Post by: Alchase on September 17, 2020, 11:49:11 AM
If lucky they may think your are another cow, until you can get close enough.
I never had a single instance of a bull call working in the thick stuff on the OP. Every time they quietly exited the area after a bull call.
Post by: Bullkllr on September 17, 2020, 12:40:40 PM
Good luck on your hunt mister! It’s been a long time since I hunted the peninsula but what I do remember vividly is the weather. I’ve done the bivy style hunts there and after a few years of shivering away at night and waking up to wet, cold clothes and boots. I changed to more of a base style camp with a way to warm up and dry clothes/boots at night. It makes a world of difference in your mental outlook/motivation to get after em’ each and every day. It stands to reason, quality rain gear top/bottom is essential. Again, good luck on your hunt sir.
:yeah:
The advice here cannot be overstated. Staying comfortable enough to stay motivated to chase elk for two weeks is tough. Choosing a base camp up to and including a motel would not be "wimping out". Unless you have a roadless or backcountry spot already figured out you may find day hunts from a vehicle not much different in terms of getting into elk. We use to do late archery hunts going in 10+ miles- and back out again. Days are short, nights are long.
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on September 18, 2020, 10:12:53 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on September 18, 2020, 08:46:58 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 18, 2020, 09:05:51 PM
It seems like 20 years ago there were many more hunters during rifle season. The elk would have been running from one group to the other. So maybe they knew to not run as far? But seems there were fewer hunters in the other seasons. Possibly by adding in the early muzzy units to some of the units, the elk have that constant pressure from fewer hunters and run more?
In the past when you jumped a herd they often would not go far before they stopped. things have changed in the last 20 years and elk go farther when jumped so I would say jumping them late in the day is tough but it gives you an idea where to go the next day.
It sure seems like elk behavior has changed to me. (example for 615) After archery, one could scout the end of september and all of october--only seeing a few people. When modern would open, you didn't have to walk far down a road to pick up sign and start walking tracks. They left tracks and rubs all over. After the inclusion of early muzzy a few years back, the elk didn't seem to be as close in, leave as much sign or stop during their run as before. Like they got on high alert during bow, didn't get to calm down in October because of muzzy elk and other groups (there are lots of people going specifically for deer there now)--so they are still super flighty by the time modern opens. A number of camps noticed the same.
Post by: pd on September 18, 2020, 09:06:04 PM
I know that road. It is called Chocolate Milkshake.
Post by: fishngamereaper on September 18, 2020, 09:18:19 PM
@fishngamereaper
I know that road. It is called Chocolate Milkshake.
That road is now completely rutted up...the elk, not so much rutted up. Yet. Awful quite up hear.
Post by: opdinkslayer on September 18, 2020, 09:31:56 PM
Post by: np205 on September 18, 2020, 10:23:42 PM
It pours
Post by: Humptulips on September 19, 2020, 03:46:37 AM
It seems like 20 years ago there were many more hunters during rifle season. The elk would have been running from one group to the other. So maybe they knew to not run as far? But seems there were fewer hunters in the other seasons. Possibly by adding in the early muzzy units to some of the units, the elk have that constant pressure from fewer hunters and run more?
In the past when you jumped a herd they often would not go far before they stopped. things have changed in the last 20 years and elk go farther when jumped so I would say jumping them late in the day is tough but it gives you an idea where to go the next day.
It sure seems like elk behavior has changed to me. (example for 615) After archery, one could scout the end of september and all of october--only seeing a few people. When modern would open, you didn't have to walk far down a road to pick up sign and start walking tracks. They left tracks and rubs all over. After the inclusion of early muzzy a few years back, the elk didn't seem to be as close in, leave as much sign or stop during their run as before. Like they got on high alert during bow, didn't get to calm down in October because of muzzy elk and other groups (there are lots of people going specifically for deer there now)--so they are still super flighty by the time modern opens. A number of camps noticed the same.
I have a different theory. Feel free to dis it if you want.
I noticed this change in elks habits as the cougar population started to max out. I believe it is the elks only defense against constant attacks by cougar. If they go a short way and stop the cougar is on them again so they just keep moving. There are less elk and deer and more cougar. A cougar is more apt to stay on them now but if they outdistance them maybe the cougar give up or find something else.
I have not noticed them being more flighty but when they are jumped they keep going and going.
I can agree the seasons are longer now with modern, ML and archery but I believe more so with predators elk are under constant pressure year around. Their only defense is to out distance their pursuers.
Post by: Alchase on September 19, 2020, 10:30:01 AM
Good luck on your hunt mister! It’s been a long time since I hunted the peninsula but what I do remember vividly is the weather. I’ve done the bivy style hunts there and after a few years of shivering away at night and waking up to wet, cold clothes and boots. I changed to more of a base style camp with a way to warm up and dry clothes/boots at night. It makes a world of difference in your mental outlook/motivation to get after em’ each and every day. It stands to reason, quality rain gear top/bottom is essential. Again, good luck on your hunt sir.
:yeah:
It is almost like hunting in a rainforest or something :dunno:
I think many people forget this fact. :hello:
:chuckle:
Post by: Aginor on September 21, 2020, 11:59:08 AM
So what you’re saying is I should do my cougar hunting in 615 instead of 621? 😉It seems like 20 years ago there were many more hunters during rifle season. The elk would have been running from one group to the other. So maybe they knew to not run as far? But seems there were fewer hunters in the other seasons. Possibly by adding in the early muzzy units to some of the units, the elk have that constant pressure from fewer hunters and run more?
In the past when you jumped a herd they often would not go far before they stopped. things have changed in the last 20 years and elk go farther when jumped so I would say jumping them late in the day is tough but it gives you an idea where to go the next day.
It sure seems like elk behavior has changed to me. (example for 615) After archery, one could scout the end of september and all of october--only seeing a few people. When modern would open, you didn't have to walk far down a road to pick up sign and start walking tracks. They left tracks and rubs all over. After the inclusion of early muzzy a few years back, the elk didn't seem to be as close in, leave as much sign or stop during their run as before. Like they got on high alert during bow, didn't get to calm down in October because of muzzy elk and other groups (there are lots of people going specifically for deer there now)--so they are still super flighty by the time modern opens. A number of camps noticed the same.
I have a different theory. Feel free to dis it if you want.
I noticed this change in elks habits as the cougar population started to max out. I believe it is the elks only defense against constant attacks by cougar. If they go a short way and stop the cougar is on them again so they just keep moving. There are less elk and deer and more cougar. A cougar is more apt to stay on them now but if they outdistance them maybe the cougar give up or find something else.
I have not noticed them being more flighty but when they are jumped they keep going and going.
I can agree the seasons are longer now with modern, ML and archery but I believe more so with predators elk are under constant pressure year around. Their only defense is to out distance their pursuers.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 21, 2020, 12:43:50 PM
621 has plenty of cats. Just depends if you feel like you're saving deer or elk.
Post by: Threewolves on September 23, 2020, 07:31:57 PM