Post by: KDfishbiologist on September 01, 2022, 08:50:38 AM
My favorite advice so far: get some friends on speed dial. Although now I think I'm on the hook for beer even if I don't need them :chuckle:
Post by: vandeman17 on September 01, 2022, 09:22:49 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on September 01, 2022, 09:27:36 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 01, 2022, 09:28:10 AM
- Keep shooting until they're down. Elk are tough animals and if you're hunting the jungle they can disappear in a hurry.
- Let other hunters do the work for you. The elk are going to get pushed around a fair amount in the first couple days. Position yourself where you can see well and wait. Be ready for a quick shot, it may be all you get.
- Don't be afraid to make noise when still hunting. Even when you think you're silent, you're not. They can hear you. And they know the difference between a quiet animal in the woods and a person trying to be quiet. Make a little noise, use a cow call softly and sparingly to try and create that effect. You will be surprised how close they'll let you get.
- Elk are big animals. You will be AMAZED when you walk up on your first one. Enjoy it.
- Check your scope frequently. Keep it on the lowest magnification you have. Nothing worse than running into an animal at close quarters and your scope is on 15x.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on September 01, 2022, 10:56:31 AM
If you spook elk and they get on the run, they are likely gone. I used to think I could chase down a herd if I bumped them but it RARELY happens with anything more then catching them a few hundred yards away going over the next ridge.
Sprint after them and you may get a shot in the first 50 yards. They can’t hear you when they are trotting and they will stop and look back. Done it many times but sprinting at 65 is pretty short range now.
Post by: vandeman17 on September 01, 2022, 11:08:44 AM
If you spook elk and they get on the run, they are likely gone. I used to think I could chase down a herd if I bumped them but it RARELY happens with anything more then catching them a few hundred yards away going over the next ridge.
Sprint after them and you may get a shot in the first 50 yards. They can’t hear you when they are trotting and they will stop and look back. Done it many times but sprinting at 65 is pretty short range now.
True but I guess I was speaking more to archery. Even at 39 and being fit, it is amazing how much ground they can cover in a short amount of time
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 01, 2022, 11:13:21 AM
Here are a couple tidbits I've accumulated over the years:
- Keep shooting until they're down. Elk are tough animals and if you're hunting the jungle they can disappear in a hurry.
- Let other hunters do the work for you. The elk are going to get pushed around a fair amount in the first couple days. Position yourself where you can see well and wait. Be ready for a quick shot, it may be all you get.
- Don't be afraid to make noise when still hunting. Even when you think you're silent, you're not. They can hear you. And they know the difference between a quiet animal in the woods and a person trying to be quiet. Make a little noise, use a cow call softly and sparingly to try and create that effect. You will be surprised how close they'll let you get.
- Elk are big animals. You will be AMAZED when you walk up on your first one. Enjoy it.
- Check your scope frequently. Keep it on the lowest magnification you have. Nothing worse than running into an animal at close quarters and your scope is on 15x.
I will add that if you're still hunting, move as slowly as you can and then cut that speed in half. In thick stuff, as on the wetside, take three steps and look around without too much body movement. Take three more, ad infinitum.
Post by: dvolmer on September 01, 2022, 11:28:39 AM
Post by: Basinguy on September 01, 2022, 11:28:48 AM
1. Decide who the shooter will be before it goes down. Also this was my spot I was taking him to. dont be afraid to say it's your turn.
2. There were no hunters behind us, it was another elk. If you can shoot an elk, do it. Don't pass up opportunities because you are worried you will offend someone.
3. We should have doubled up, don't be dumb
Post by: Stein on September 01, 2022, 11:34:42 AM
I got extremely lucky on my second season and shot a nice bull. I then spent 6 years trying to replicate that once in a blue moon scenario just because it happened to work once.
Last two years, I have spent my time and effort learning about how to find elk. I should have started there, sounds obvious, but I bet there isn't one in ten elk hunters that can take a map of a new area they have never been and show you with confidence the few areas that are high probability and why.
Post by: jrebel on September 01, 2022, 11:37:00 AM
- Be patient.....let the elk come to you if you can. keep the wind in your favor and move slower than you would usually move. Elk have a great sense of smell and almost always move with their nose into the wind.
- Stay out all day long if you can. Mid day when it is hot out.....find some shade and sit, listen, smell...etc. Elk will move all day long, especially if there is any pressure.
- Lastly....in your travels pay attention to the ambient temperature. If you find and area that drops 5-10 degrees due to the shade, cover, stream, etc.....elk will seek those areas. If you find these areas, find a trail, get the wind in your favor and sit on it. Elk are big animals and will seek cooler areas. Usually this is north facing drainages with water and heavy cover.
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on September 01, 2022, 12:29:44 PM
,archery) and side of the state.
.
But forget about all the YouTube heros and just find an area with sign.
.
They are often closer to the trailhead than you think.
.
Relax, calm down, find food, water, and security cover.
.
Spend the first few days scouting.
Don't be in a hurry..
That reprod that looks like it has tunnels through it?
.
That dog hair fir that has tunnels through it?
.
Any piece of the real estate that you don't want to go into?
.
They will hide in that stuff all day, and walk past your camp or on open roads at night.
.
.
Find sign, and learn your area.
.
You might not get one this year, but the better you learn an area gives you an advantage next year.
Post by: highside74 on September 01, 2022, 12:36:48 PM
Don't keep looking for elk if they aren't there. Be willing to relocate.
Don't force an encounter if the wind is bad.
Post by: rtspring on September 01, 2022, 12:48:15 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on September 01, 2022, 12:50:20 PM
Hunt where the elk are! Not where they were.:yeah:well put!
Post by: highside74 on September 01, 2022, 01:02:58 PM
Hunt where the elk are! Not where they were.
That's what I meant :chuckle:
Post by: mburrows on September 01, 2022, 01:12:58 PM
Post by: Dark2Dark on September 01, 2022, 01:48:33 PM
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on September 01, 2022, 03:05:26 PM
I was also too quiet and careful when I first started, elk make noise as they walk through the dry woods. Don’t be a beast but snapping a twig is no big thing. Make a cow mew if you do. Diaphragm calls are great for hands free calling
Post by: KDfishbiologist on September 01, 2022, 03:42:49 PM
What are you hunting with?
Rifle hunting :)
Post by: KDfishbiologist on September 01, 2022, 03:43:36 PM
Hunt where the elk are! Not where they were.
Sounds simple, but effective. Thank you :)
Post by: KDfishbiologist on September 01, 2022, 03:44:30 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on September 01, 2022, 03:48:53 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on September 01, 2022, 04:23:18 PM
always always play the wind and know how thermals work:yeah:most important thing you can do, elk can be anywhere in elk country. It’s not how much ground you cover, it’s how well you cover the ground. Be patient, stop and listen, keep your head up-look all around. And hunt ALL day! I’ve killed most my bulls and my biggest in the afternoon.
Post by: logola512c on September 01, 2022, 04:28:10 PM
If you haven’t scouted, find sign. Then find hot sign. Then slow way down.
I was also too quiet and careful when I first started, elk make noise as they walk through the dry woods. Don’t be a beast but snapping a twig is no big thing. Make a cow mew if you do. Diaphragm calls are great for hands free calling
Agree. And if you make noise while you're moving, try to sound like an elk or a deer or other animal moving, not a human. Meaning, don't walk in a human cadence, step after rhythmic step,
Post by: trophyhunt on September 01, 2022, 04:29:59 PM
:yeah: add this to my suggestion! Act like elk, cow call once in a while, even in late rifle season.If you haven’t scouted, find sign. Then find hot sign. Then slow way down.
I was also too quiet and careful when I first started, elk make noise as they walk through the dry woods. Don’t be a beast but snapping a twig is no big thing. Make a cow mew if you do. Diaphragm calls are great for hands free calling
Agree. And if you make noise while you're moving, try to sound like an elk or a deer or other animal moving, not a human. Meaning, don't walk in a human cadence, step after rhythmic step,
Post by: MIKEXRAY on September 01, 2022, 04:33:18 PM
Post by: jason stevens on September 01, 2022, 04:42:28 PM
Post by: elksnout on September 01, 2022, 08:43:00 PM
Stay out all day, you'll never shoot an elk from your sleeping bag.
Those animals get up and move during mid-day. Keep at the ready. Keep looking.
Expect to see elk. Negative thinking kills the hunt.
And as many have said. You'll never fool an elk's nose.
elksnout
Post by: b0bbyg on September 01, 2022, 09:06:01 PM
Fast forward a few years.. late season hunt, missed getting a shot at an elk that crossed my path as I was headed to "where I wanted to hunt" then as I was grumbling and trudging on another elk busted me at 15 yards because I was not paying attention.
Learn from my and others mistakes, always expect to see something and always be ready.
Animals don't really care where you think they should be :chuckle:
Post by: MountainWalk on September 01, 2022, 11:25:56 PM
Don’t give up. Think about pleasant thoughts. Try to have fun. Bring a good book. Waking up late and hitting the woods a little bit late still beats driving home. Elk are supposed to be hard to hunt. Don’t get discouraged. Even though they are hard to find , sometimes they do the danmdest dumbest things and bang ya got em pilgrim. Don’t starve yourself. Eat good food. Don’t feel like you have to camp waaay back of beyond. Have some beers around the fire. Enjoy yourself. Just don’t give up.
Post by: Dan-o on September 02, 2022, 12:24:25 AM
Don’t give up. If you’re new at hunting and especially elk hunting, being alone by yourself, not seeing elk, it’s really easy to talk yourself into packing up and heading home. Your tired, footsore, want a pizza, shower, no elk, poor weather, and you think about things and home and pretty soon, you’re loaded up and cruising, then you start kicking yourself.
Don’t give up. Think about pleasant thoughts. Try to have fun. Bring a good book. Waking up late and hitting the woods a little bit late still beats driving home.
That's some sage advice.
Post by: Dark2Dark on September 02, 2022, 05:20:56 AM
One of my first painful lesson was to make sure to find a good rest as soon as you are in elk. Standing there trying to shoot off hand cost me one of my first bulls a long time ago. For many years after that, as soon as I was in animals, finding a rest was a priority for me. I don’t think it ever cost me an animal and I got a few that probably would have gotten away without a rest. As I have become more confident and competent, I’m a little more willing to take a quick shot without a rest and last years bill is one of the only ones I can think of that would have gotten away if I hesitated. I’m sure you’ll be extra excited in your first couple encounters and highly suggest finding a good rest.
Someone mentioned this above, but hunt with a day pack capable of packing out at least a head or front quarter. My hunting partners and I all do this- it really cuts down on the pack out process if you can comfortably get half the elk out on the first trip. I use an Exo Mountain pack.
Don’t leave elk to find elk and looking for and hunting on tons of sign sound like good archery mantras or ways to kill small bulls in rifle season. Later in the year, the majority of big bulls are as far away from herds and people as they can get. If you want to kill a big bull, you might literally have to leave the herds you are on to go find them. If you’re in an area that is obviously holding a lot of elk there’s a good chance it’s not also holding a mature bull late in the year. I have killed a lot of bulls during rifle season in herds- all young raghorn three and four points. The biggest bulls I have killed were all definitively away from the herds. Obviously, if you’re spike hunting, focus on herd areas. A single animal is harder to find but much easier to kill when you do. Identifying and getting a shot at the bull in a herd can be tough. And that’s a lot of watching eyes, also.
Make sure to have fun!
Post by: Deerelk37 on September 02, 2022, 05:30:10 AM
Get out of the truck and get outside of your comfort zone
Don’t do what everyone else is doing
Post by: Rob on September 02, 2022, 05:37:19 AM
Learn to debone in the field!
Post by: luvmystang67 on September 02, 2022, 10:50:00 AM
1) If you find elk, especially a legal elk, HUNT IT. I don't care if its across a canyon, up high, down low... sometimes late in the season you're like "ugh, there's an elk, but it'll probably be gone by the time I get there" or some crap like that. Just think of how long you spend wandering through the woods without and elk near you. If you know there's elk somewhere, HUNT IT, I don't care how hard it is. Every time I've thought "that'd be an impossible place to kill an elk, but I know they're in there" I've had opportunities.
2) Elk are REALLY good at pinpointing sound. They are risk adverse like humans. You're probably not going to call them into the middle of an opening. They're going to peak their head JUST up over the hill, or through the brush, looking for that call. So, if you make a call, MOVE UP so you can get a shot where they'll stop (if you're hunting solo). If you want to call before you sit down for lunch... call... move up 50 yards and then eat lunch. Never sit where you call from, just don't do it.
3) In order of importance, things that sink you are 1) smell 2) sight 3) sound. If an elk sees you and you're still... even if you could magically be breaking branches while you sat still, they wouldn't care. They might walk right up to you. They don't recognize the human figure well and are not bothered by it. You can make noise in the woods, but I'd try to cover with cow calls. When elk are at ease they make TONS of noise. They will catch you if you're moving and they aren't, so try to move slowly. All that said, if they smell you from close or from far, they're GONE. Wind, wind, wind. I don't care if you rolled in elk urine, you'll just smell like a human who rolled in elk piss to them. I don't care if you have sent lock, washed yourself in scent free soap, and have been eating elk turds, they'll still smell you. If your wind is bad, the walk you're about to do is pointless, the elk will be gone before you can see them. I've had an elk walk up to me, standing in wide open timber, within 5 yards, and she didn't spook until I felt the wind on the back of my neck and watched her nostrils flare.
4) Despite what people have said here... you can pursue spooked elk, as long as they didn't smell you. The larger herds in western wa are particularly easy to follow as they make a hellova trail and chasing them down is really not that difficult if you have a cow tag. If you spook an elk with your truck, GO IN AFTER THEM, they won't be too far into the timber. I have had really good luck pursuing elk, just as long as they haven't smelled you.
5) Be patient, its not usually like the hunting shows. They can come in silent, especially in wolf country. Move slowly... sound wont kill you, but they'll stop moving and look your way if you're noisy and the movement will be quickly picked up by them. Try to use a cow call to cover you when you move.
6) I don't worry about over-calling. When they're interested in you, you can blow that cow call every 3 min and they're not going to run away. I'm not saying you need to, but if you're walking through the woods making noise, use that thing.
7) I'm probably just a bad bugler, but I've never been able to get a bull fired up enough to come to a bugle, but shot 3 coming in to cow calls... two of them on an absolute string. I might just be very seductive sounding, but there's more than one way to get a bull to come in.
8) Make a plan for success, getting these things out is no joke. Last thing I want is to get a bull down, 4 miles in, with no knives, game bags, or pack that is usable. Having to take an empty trip back because you dont have what you need is dumb. If archery hunting have tracking tape or similar.
9) GET THE HEAT OUT. You cannot leave elk overnight. I honestly don't care if its 5 degrees out. The snow you see collecting on their back illustrates how well insulated they are. The ball joints of the hip WILL SOUR if left overnight. I call 100% BS on the people who say "left it overnight, no bone sour" They don't know what bone sour is. Now that I've experienced a bad case of this, I now know how many mild cases of bone sour I've had. I will never shoot another bull where I DONT pop the femur out before I pack it out, even if I get right to it. Now that I know the smell well, I'd say 75%+ of my bulls have had some degree of bone sour right at the femur, even when I've been able to get right on them. It just takes too long to get them cut up and out and isn't worth losing that meat. If any cut ever smells even slightly "cheesy"... that is bone sour and I think its WAY more common than anyone realizes. The butcher wont tell you that, and you really wont know unless you process your own game.
Post by: KP-Skagit on September 02, 2022, 11:23:07 AM
Also, measure your expectations but be prepared for success.
I am mostly a deer hunter but rifle hunted elk a few times, always saw animals but never a legal one. I switched to bow last year with low expectations but excited to have the opportunity at a cow and just to learn. I shot a cow 1 hour in on my first day hunting. Solo... 4 miles behind a gate in an area I rifle hunted that you used to be able to drive to. Heard cow calls in a canyon below me and located a small group. I could not believe it but I was able to close from 150 yards to 25 in waist deep salal. Didn't rush it, cow called every once in a while and I think they thought I was another elk. I have never been more sore in my life than the next morning after getting her out.
Post by: cooltimber on September 02, 2022, 02:40:51 PM
Yeah, I made a snide comment on here before to leave your weapon at home. In truth my first 2-3 years rifle hunting and my first 2-3 year bow hunting, I didn't even draw or fire a shot. But don't actually leave your weapon home. Here are some helpful tips that people here have largely covered.Theres iron in them words
1) If you find elk, especially a legal elk, HUNT IT. I don't care if its across a canyon, up high, down low... sometimes late in the season you're like "ugh, there's an elk, but it'll probably be gone by the time I get there" or some crap like that. Just think of how long you spend wandering through the woods without and elk near you. If you know there's elk somewhere, HUNT IT, I don't care how hard it is. Every time I've thought "that'd be an impossible place to kill an elk, but I know they're in there" I've had opportunities.
2) Elk are REALLY good at pinpointing sound. They are risk adverse like humans. You're probably not going to call them into the middle of an opening. They're going to peak their head JUST up over the hill, or through the brush, looking for that call. So, if you make a call, MOVE UP so you can get a shot where they'll stop (if you're hunting solo). If you want to call before you sit down for lunch... call... move up 50 yards and then eat lunch. Never sit where you call from, just don't do it.
3) In order of importance, things that sink you are 1) smell 2) sight 3) sound. If an elk sees you and you're still... even if you could magically be breaking branches while you sat still, they wouldn't care. They might walk right up to you. They don't recognize the human figure well and are not bothered by it. You can make noise in the woods, but I'd try to cover with cow calls. When elk are at ease they make TONS of noise. They will catch you if you're moving and they aren't, so try to move slowly. All that said, if they smell you from close or from far, they're GONE. Wind, wind, wind. I don't care if you rolled in elk urine, you'll just smell like a human who rolled in elk piss to them. I don't care if you have sent lock, washed yourself in scent free soap, and have been eating elk turds, they'll still smell you. If your wind is bad, the walk you're about to do is pointless, the elk will be gone before you can see them. I've had an elk walk up to me, standing in wide open timber, within 5 yards, and she didn't spook until I felt the wind on the back of my neck and watched her nostrils flare.
4) Despite what people have said here... you can pursue spooked elk, as long as they didn't smell you. The larger herds in western wa are particularly easy to follow as they make a hellova trail and chasing them down is really not that difficult if you have a cow tag. If you spook an elk with your truck, GO IN AFTER THEM, they won't be too far into the timber. I have had really good luck pursuing elk, just as long as they haven't smelled you.
5) Be patient, its not usually like the hunting shows. They can come in silent, especially in wolf country. Move slowly... sound wont kill you, but they'll stop moving and look your way if you're noisy and the movement will be quickly picked up by them. Try to use a cow call to cover you when you move.
6) I don't worry about over-calling. When they're interested in you, you can blow that cow call every 3 min and they're not going to run away. I'm not saying you need to, but if you're walking through the woods making noise, use that thing.
7) I'm probably just a bad bugler, but I've never been able to get a bull fired up enough to come to a bugle, but shot 3 coming in to cow calls... two of them on an absolute string. I might just be very seductive sounding, but there's more than one way to get a bull to come in.
8) Make a plan for success, getting these things out is no joke. Last thing I want is to get a bull down, 4 miles in, with no knives, game bags, or pack that is usable. Having to take an empty trip back because you dont have what you need is dumb. If archery hunting have tracking tape or similar.
9) GET THE HEAT OUT. You cannot leave elk overnight. I honestly don't care if its 5 degrees out. The snow you see collecting on their back illustrates how well insulated they are. The ball joints of the hip WILL SOUR if left overnight. I call 100% BS on the people who say "left it overnight, no bone sour" They don't know what bone sour is. Now that I've experienced a bad case of this, I now know how many mild cases of bone sour I've had. I will never shoot another bull where I DONT pop the femur out before I pack it out, even if I get right to it. Now that I know the smell well, I'd say 75%+ of my bulls have had some degree of bone sour right at the femur, even when I've been able to get right on them. It just takes too long to get them cut up and out and isn't worth losing that meat. If any cut ever smells even slightly "cheesy"... that is bone sour and I think its WAY more common than anyone realizes. The butcher wont tell you that, and you really wont know unless you process your own game.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on September 02, 2022, 04:49:43 PM
Gutless Method, Jetboil, merino baselayers, Flipup Scope Covers, Kennetreks, Loadsling /meatshelf, Chugach, scope level, Inreach.
Getem! Goodluck.
Post by: Damnimissed on September 04, 2022, 11:07:59 PM
Yeah, I made a snide comment on here before to leave your weapon at home. In truth my first 2-3 years rifle hunting and my first 2-3 year bow hunting, I didn't even draw or fire a shot. But don't actually leave your weapon home. Here are some helpful tips that people here have largely covered.
1) If you find elk, especially a legal elk, HUNT IT. I don't care if its across a canyon, up high, down low... sometimes late in the season you're like "ugh, there's an elk, but it'll probably be gone by the time I get there" or some crap like that. Just think of how long you spend wandering through the woods without and elk near you. If you know there's elk somewhere, HUNT IT, I don't care how hard it is. Every time I've thought "that'd be an impossible place to kill an elk, but I know they're in there" I've had opportunities.
Absolutely spot on. No need for me to comment now.
2) Elk are REALLY good at pinpointing sound. They are risk adverse like humans. You're probably not going to call them into the middle of an opening. They're going to peak their head JUST up over the hill, or through the brush, looking for that call. So, if you make a call, MOVE UP so you can get a shot where they'll stop (if you're hunting solo). If you want to call before you sit down for lunch... call... move up 50 yards and then eat lunch. Never sit where you call from, just don't do it.
3) In order of importance, things that sink you are 1) smell 2) sight 3) sound. If an elk sees you and you're still... even if you could magically be breaking branches while you sat still, they wouldn't care. They might walk right up to you. They don't recognize the human figure well and are not bothered by it. You can make noise in the woods, but I'd try to cover with cow calls. When elk are at ease they make TONS of noise. They will catch you if you're moving and they aren't, so try to move slowly. All that said, if they smell you from close or from far, they're GONE. Wind, wind, wind. I don't care if you rolled in elk urine, you'll just smell like a human who rolled in elk piss to them. I don't care if you have sent lock, washed yourself in scent free soap, and have been eating elk turds, they'll still smell you. If your wind is bad, the walk you're about to do is pointless, the elk will be gone before you can see them. I've had an elk walk up to me, standing in wide open timber, within 5 yards, and she didn't spook until I felt the wind on the back of my neck and watched her nostrils flare.
4) Despite what people have said here... you can pursue spooked elk, as long as they didn't smell you. The larger herds in western wa are particularly easy to follow as they make a hellova trail and chasing them down is really not that difficult if you have a cow tag. If you spook an elk with your truck, GO IN AFTER THEM, they won't be too far into the timber. I have had really good luck pursuing elk, just as long as they haven't smelled you.
5) Be patient, its not usually like the hunting shows. They can come in silent, especially in wolf country. Move slowly... sound wont kill you, but they'll stop moving and look your way if you're noisy and the movement will be quickly picked up by them. Try to use a cow call to cover you when you move.
6) I don't worry about over-calling. When they're interested in you, you can blow that cow call every 3 min and they're not going to run away. I'm not saying you need to, but if you're walking through the woods making noise, use that thing.
7) I'm probably just a bad bugler, but I've never been able to get a bull fired up enough to come to a bugle, but shot 3 coming in to cow calls... two of them on an absolute string. I might just be very seductive sounding, but there's more than one way to get a bull to come in.
8) Make a plan for success, getting these things out is no joke. Last thing I want is to get a bull down, 4 miles in, with no knives, game bags, or pack that is usable. Having to take an empty trip back because you dont have what you need is dumb. If archery hunting have tracking tape or similar.
9) GET THE HEAT OUT. You cannot leave elk overnight. I honestly don't care if its 5 degrees out. The snow you see collecting on their back illustrates how well insulated they are. The ball joints of the hip WILL SOUR if left overnight. I call 100% BS on the people who say "left it overnight, no bone sour" They don't know what bone sour is. Now that I've experienced a bad case of this, I now know how many mild cases of bone sour I've had. I will never shoot another bull where I DONT pop the femur out before I pack it out, even if I get right to it. Now that I know the smell well, I'd say 75%+ of my bulls have had some degree of bone sour right at the femur, even when I've been able to get right on them. It just takes too long to get them cut up and out and isn't worth losing that meat. If any cut ever smells even slightly "cheesy"... that is bone sour and I think its WAY more common than anyone realizes. The butcher wont tell you that, and you really wont know unless you process your own game.
Post by: KDfishbiologist on September 06, 2022, 09:07:48 AM
Things I didn’t know/have 50 years ago starting out:
Gutless Method, Jetboil, merino baselayers, Flipup Scope Covers, Kennetreks, Loadsling /meatshelf, Chugach, scope level, Inreach.
Getem! Goodluck.
Thank you!!! :)
Post by: KDfishbiologist on September 06, 2022, 09:08:17 AM
Yeah, I made a snide comment on here before to leave your weapon at home. In truth my first 2-3 years rifle hunting and my first 2-3 year bow hunting, I didn't even draw or fire a shot. But don't actually leave your weapon home. Here are some helpful tips that people here have largely covered.
1) If you find elk, especially a legal elk, HUNT IT. I don't care if its across a canyon, up high, down low... sometimes late in the season you're like "ugh, there's an elk, but it'll probably be gone by the time I get there" or some crap like that. Just think of how long you spend wandering through the woods without and elk near you. If you know there's elk somewhere, HUNT IT, I don't care how hard it is. Every time I've thought "that'd be an impossible place to kill an elk, but I know they're in there" I've had opportunities.
2) Elk are REALLY good at pinpointing sound. They are risk adverse like humans. You're probably not going to call them into the middle of an opening. They're going to peak their head JUST up over the hill, or through the brush, looking for that call. So, if you make a call, MOVE UP so you can get a shot where they'll stop (if you're hunting solo). If you want to call before you sit down for lunch... call... move up 50 yards and then eat lunch. Never sit where you call from, just don't do it.
3) In order of importance, things that sink you are 1) smell 2) sight 3) sound. If an elk sees you and you're still... even if you could magically be breaking branches while you sat still, they wouldn't care. They might walk right up to you. They don't recognize the human figure well and are not bothered by it. You can make noise in the woods, but I'd try to cover with cow calls. When elk are at ease they make TONS of noise. They will catch you if you're moving and they aren't, so try to move slowly. All that said, if they smell you from close or from far, they're GONE. Wind, wind, wind. I don't care if you rolled in elk urine, you'll just smell like a human who rolled in elk piss to them. I don't care if you have sent lock, washed yourself in scent free soap, and have been eating elk turds, they'll still smell you. If your wind is bad, the walk you're about to do is pointless, the elk will be gone before you can see them. I've had an elk walk up to me, standing in wide open timber, within 5 yards, and she didn't spook until I felt the wind on the back of my neck and watched her nostrils flare.
4) Despite what people have said here... you can pursue spooked elk, as long as they didn't smell you. The larger herds in western wa are particularly easy to follow as they make a hellova trail and chasing them down is really not that difficult if you have a cow tag. If you spook an elk with your truck, GO IN AFTER THEM, they won't be too far into the timber. I have had really good luck pursuing elk, just as long as they haven't smelled you.
5) Be patient, its not usually like the hunting shows. They can come in silent, especially in wolf country. Move slowly... sound wont kill you, but they'll stop moving and look your way if you're noisy and the movement will be quickly picked up by them. Try to use a cow call to cover you when you move.
6) I don't worry about over-calling. When they're interested in you, you can blow that cow call every 3 min and they're not going to run away. I'm not saying you need to, but if you're walking through the woods making noise, use that thing.
7) I'm probably just a bad bugler, but I've never been able to get a bull fired up enough to come to a bugle, but shot 3 coming in to cow calls... two of them on an absolute string. I might just be very seductive sounding, but there's more than one way to get a bull to come in.
8) Make a plan for success, getting these things out is no joke. Last thing I want is to get a bull down, 4 miles in, with no knives, game bags, or pack that is usable. Having to take an empty trip back because you dont have what you need is dumb. If archery hunting have tracking tape or similar.
9) GET THE HEAT OUT. You cannot leave elk overnight. I honestly don't care if its 5 degrees out. The snow you see collecting on their back illustrates how well insulated they are. The ball joints of the hip WILL SOUR if left overnight. I call 100% BS on the people who say "left it overnight, no bone sour" They don't know what bone sour is. Now that I've experienced a bad case of this, I now know how many mild cases of bone sour I've had. I will never shoot another bull where I DONT pop the femur out before I pack it out, even if I get right to it. Now that I know the smell well, I'd say 75%+ of my bulls have had some degree of bone sour right at the femur, even when I've been able to get right on them. It just takes too long to get them cut up and out and isn't worth losing that meat. If any cut ever smells even slightly "cheesy"... that is bone sour and I think its WAY more common than anyone realizes. The butcher wont tell you that, and you really wont know unless you process your own game.
Solid advice. Will keep this in mind this fall. Thank you for sharing!
Post by: predatorG on September 07, 2022, 07:08:12 AM
Moral of the story, noise isn't quite as important on an elk hunt as it is a deer hunt, especially if you're in the thick stuff and worried about being too loud.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 09, 2022, 10:21:44 AM
Just some context. Reading thru the comments almost sounds like you can just stomp up on em.
Post by: fowl smacker on September 09, 2022, 12:32:40 PM
Post by: pd on September 09, 2022, 08:32:44 PM
I wish I knew Weyerhaeuser was going to close their lands opening day.
Yeah, the first easterly of the season comes on opening day. That sucks. Good luck to you.
Post by: Shoofly09 on September 09, 2022, 11:09:06 PM
3) In order of importance, things that sink you are 1) smell 2) sight 3) sound. If an elk sees you and you're still... even if you could magically be breaking branches while you sat still, they wouldn't care. They might walk right up to you. They don't recognize the human figure well and are not bothered by it. You can make noise in the woods, but I'd try to cover with cow calls. When elk are at ease they make TONS of noise. They will catch you if you're moving and they aren't, so try to move slowly. All that said, if they smell you from close or from far, they're GONE. Wind, wind, wind. I don't care if you rolled in elk urine, you'll just smell like a human who rolled in elk piss to them. I don't care if you have sent lock, washed yourself in scent free soap, and have been eating elk turds, they'll still smell you. If your wind is bad, the walk you're about to do is pointless, the elk will be gone before you can see them. I've had an elk walk up to me, standing in wide open timber, within 5 yards, and she didn't spook until I felt the wind on the back of my neck and watched her nostrils flare.
:yeah:
All his bullet points were good advice. This one is the most important... Ive had elk at 5 yards upwind not spook, and I've had elk at 300 yards downwind turn and run.