Hunting Forum

I'm also in your camp.  I don't go out looking for all the fancy clothes and gear either.  I watch the wind closely and use fox urine for a cover scent when I'm bowhunting and that's about it.  The whole thing about hunting is using your skills and senses like was said and I love seeing how close I can get to an animal.  I'll shoot out to 300 yards in Wyoming where a lot of times it is impossible to get any closer.  However, the closer the better and more fun IMHO.  I don't need a range finder for that.  If he looks too far in my scope that I can't hold on him, then he walks.  I do a lot of yardage guesstimation when I'm out doing things during the year and it's amazing how accurate you can be on distances if you constantly work on it. 

Topgun----30-06 NAHC LM NWTF US Army Vet Corp SP5 68-71

I'm down right anti-technology when it comes to hunting. I don't like to shop, I like to hunt.  Hell, I bow hunted for ten years with a finger tab I made from the leather of an old boot and my knife sheath is one I made 20 some years ago from an old leather bag my wife had.

 

Having said that, there is one piece of technology I really do like. GPS. I used to feel that getting lost and then finding my way back was some of the most fun you could have in the woods. Then one day I had to walk an extra five or six miles in the dark. When I finally got back to camp it accrued to me that I am just not as young as I used to be and that extra mileage along with not getting back to camp until one in the morning just plumb wore me out. I still get lost but now I can head directly back to camp with no extra mileage on my poor old feet.

 

What TWELCH said about hunting all year long. I may take that to the extreme. I am an animal watcher. That's like a bird watcher on steroids. I have learned to identify every species of bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian and fish in my area and I throw in a few crustaceans and mulloscs just for fun. I keep an annual list of what species I identify and compete with myself from year to year. So I am hunting all the time. I just saw an Orange Crown Warble out my window a few minutes ago. I already had it on my list but I still had to check it out.

 

By doing this, no matter were I am or what I am doing, every little movement catches my eye and every sound is noted and identified just in case it might be something I don't have on this years list yet. It keeps me sharp and is a lot of fun.

Big Lance

I definitely agree with you about using a GPS.  We could not hunt the places we hunt out in Wyoming without one.  We make our maps and put all the property line waypoints on them.  Then we know exactly where we are and have no chance of getting onto private property while we are out there.  They also come in real handy when you need to get to various waypoints to make it back to camp.  Several times in the dark of the moon I would have been like Lance and been half the night getting back to camp if I hadn't had my GPS along.  I always carry a good compass though because you never know when electronics are going to fail!

 

Topgun----30-06 NAHC LM NWTF US Army Vet Corp SP5 68-71

Again great info!  Thanks everyone!
Gotta love it when multiple Elk savvy hunters say the same thing.  Tells me, that it's not just me that have seen the ways of the Wapiti, it confirms some of the ways that I hunt them.  And I have learned some new ones reading the replies here.  Everyone here has added to what I know.  Can't thank you enough!  Elk hunting ain't easy!  Do believe what we all share, comes back to us.  Has to me!  I might not share where I saw that monster 8x8 (unless you're in camp and hunting with me.)  But I'm willing to share all that I know to help you find your own monster, put one on the wall, or Elk meat in your freezer!

Those new to hunting the elusive Wapiti, my advice would be to asked your questions now.  Judging by those replying to this thread, I'm thinking you've got over 150 years (total) Elk hunting savvy posting right here!  No dumb questions when it comes to hunting em!  (Oh, by the way, Elk are vegetarians.  Had a hunting bud, his first time Elk hunting, get into a bunch of them real, real close.  He ran about 2 1/2 miles back to the truck, stopping to puke a couple of times.  Seems we never told him Elk don't eat meat.)
Now that's a camp story I can tell you all later!  Beware of man eating Elk!

Dean
H2O



Hunting Elk in a rainforest; ya haven't experienced it till ya had rain running down the crack of your *** 30 minutes out of camp. Formerly a Roosevelt Elk hunter on the Washington coast, now hunting them Rocky Mtn. ones, in Wyoming.

I skimmed from the beginning to make sure someone hasn't covered this and the closest I came was H20 Elkaholoic's post of covering ground. When I have to cover long distances walking and am not close to elk, or at least I don't think I am close, I try to eliminate extra noise but I don't pussyfoot through the woods. Elk are big animals and they make noise when walking. What I do is change my stride to try and not sound like a two footed hunter but a four footed elk. About ever 50-100 yards I give a chirp on the cow call. I have had bedded elk answer me and know it is time to slow down. 

They seem to be more relaxed when they think it is an elk and hear the cow chirps. I was walking through the woods like this to meet one of my hunting buddies. I did not know he was watching a herd of bedded elk across a canyon. Yes I went down the wrong ridge to meet him but that is another story. He told me they all turned their heads in my direction and a few of them got up out of the bed looking in my direction. I hit the chirp and one chirped back so I stopped. He told me the ones that stood up bedded back down again and the others relaxed and most quit looking in my direction. They still paid attention to me but I was able to get closer to them than if I had just blundered in. He told me he could not hear my walking but could hear the chirps. He said they would have left and I never would have seen them.

I have done this numerous times to get close to elk I would have scared out or walked right by. I have also coverd a lot of ground like this and found nothing. This can be really effective when hunting pressure is light and you don't have to worry about other hunters.

Once known as 3does,1buck pre-"upgrade" : It is better to rule than to serve.

That was an intersting post. Do you think there's any difference in the response you get based on the time of the year?

I don't think so since elk are vocal animals. I have heard them chirping in the spring when calves are finding their mama. I use this pre-rut, rut, and post rut. During the rut I will bugle to locate bulls and use estrus cow calls (  Hyper lip, Hoochie Mama, and diaphragm mouth calls). The only difference I have found post rut is the big bulls slip off by themselves and you will find the young bulls with the cows. I usually put in for cow tags post rut, which I consider after the last week of October, if I don't get my draw choices of during the rut. I have noticed there are two ruts, the main rut in Sept. and early to mid Oct mini-rut for any cows that come into a second estrus.  I even started to do this deer hunting if elk are in the area and I have kicked some mulies out of a sound bed.

Once known as 3does,1buck pre-"upgrade" : It is better to rule than to serve.

I've also used a cow call to calm Elk before, and after encountering em..  Done it in July, August, September, October, and November.  Doesn't give you a free ticket in but it will often buy you the necessary time to set up for a shot, change direction, or move in.  You have to freeze when they answer you back (all eyes will be on you.)  If it's close to the rut you may want to stand your ground and chirp some more?  Most times when they answer you back or you can see them, you need to immediately determine the wind direction, and back off if you need to and get down wind!  Problem often is; once you've called, they know where you are and the Elk you can't even see are looking at you.  It's a dilemma; to move or not to move.  I don't think there is a right answer to "what now"?  It depends on the circumstance.  What I've seen is most Elk hunters don't move.  Fear of being seen keeps em standing in their boot tracks till they hear the Elk moving off.  Big mistake IMO, unless the wind is in your favor and they are moving to where you might get a shot as they pass you by, or if it's the rut and you might call a bull in!  Most times that I have bumped Elk (with a call or for any reason), I give them some time to put their heads back down and I BACK OFF in stealth mode!  You know where some of them are, it's time to evaluate how many there are and a bunch of other things! What's the wind direction, how spread out they are, what direction are they headed, are they bedded, is it the rut?  Man, the questions flying through my head when I get into them to flies fast.  But it generally ends up with me moving!  I move, to keep the wind in my favor.  I move, to back off and place myself ahead of them.  I move, to find a better shooting lane.  I move, to get closer.  Guess you can say about 90% of the time I end up moving.  Can't preach enough though, if they are looking at you don't move!  Even if it means they all run off because they got your wind.  Best you can do if that happens is be ready to shoot.  Keep your eyes moving, eye all the animals you can (light colored animals are often the bigger bulls).  Figure out how many bulls are in there and how big?  What direction are they headed?  And if one gives you a shot, take it!  If you didn't drop one, then you know where they are going and whether you want to pursue.

Practice quick shot's, Rifle or Bow!  These critters often don't give you much time before they decide to head out!

Hope this helps some!
Dean
H2O Elkaholic

Hunting Elk in a rainforest; ya haven't experienced it till ya had rain running down the crack of your *** 30 minutes out of camp. Formerly a Roosevelt Elk hunter on the Washington coast, now hunting them Rocky Mtn. ones, in Wyoming.

With 107 replies to the thread, and 2033 views, and 150+ years Wapiti hunting experience posting here, I gotta think there's a bunch of new Elk slayers reading?  Also gotta think that there's more of you reading that still have questions.  Ask away!!!

Lance, TWELCH, Topgun, and all the others.  Do thank you for adding your knowledge here!

Dean
H2O

Hunting Elk in a rainforest; ya haven't experienced it till ya had rain running down the crack of your *** 30 minutes out of camp. Formerly a Roosevelt Elk hunter on the Washington coast, now hunting them Rocky Mtn. ones, in Wyoming.

I to have to agree with the tech thing I think it gets out of hand sometimes.  I use a GPS just got it for Christmas so haven't used it elk hunting yet but looking forward to the functions on it.  I like have the topo maps on it where I don't have to carry a bunch of paper.(I do carry a basic map just in case)  As far as other stuff I can judge ranges pretty well.  I don't have a range finder my Dad got one a few years back and in hunting situations has used it maybe 2 or 3 times.  He used it for me once which it helped but I don't think it was needed.  I do carry allot of things not needed to hunt in my pack though but if I have to stay out over night I would use it then.  Never know when the weather is going to change I do live in Montana and it could be 70 degrees when you start and freezing ass cold later so be prepared for the worst.  I have been learning about elk hunting for allot of years now and am still learning so keep it coming guys. 

 

As far as something that should be in a survival pack I do carry a pack of jerky or summersausage to give you added protien if you happen to get stranded while hunting. 

 

  

OTSS, Disclaimer-All views and opinions in this post are of my own and not subject for change as I can think what I want when I want and will not be held acountable for the pissing and moaning brought on by reading said words. G&M Wild Game Processing, Helena, MT "You Guttem We Cu

Excellent information on this thread. Thanks Dean, Tom, Mike, Jim, Lance, Rick, Terry and the rest of you for sharing all of this information with us.

Hiker....Proverbs 3:5-6; NAHC Life Member

Dean, You got it right that 150 things race through your mind and one is to move or not to move. The one thing I can add is some don't think when they call. It is not a matter of walking through the woods chirping away but rather an art form of a sort. I try to be close to cover, working my way into the wind, with brush between me and the way I am going. That way I can stay concealed and have time to make decisions. I can proceed forward or back out depending on what I decide.You can peek around brush and tree trunks while keeping most of your two legged form concealed, hoping to see the elk before they see you. Think how you would set up for turkey or coyotes and apply it to elk hunting.

Once known as 3does,1buck pre-"upgrade" : It is better to rule than to serve.

Good tip Todd!  I was running and gunning during the turkey season up here last year on a two track.  I had been calling each time I got to a decent tree and nothing was happening.  I got careless and let loose with a call while I was walking and several gobblers cut loose all at the same time.  I was lucky and made a 30 yard sneak to the next bend where there was some light brush I was able to get concealed in.  After 30 minutes or so of cat and mouse a nice bird came in and got wacked, but I learned from that mistake real quick.  You can never assume anything or let your guard down, no matter what you are hunting!

 

Topgun----30-06 NAHC LM NWTF NRA US Army Vet Corp SP5 68-71

hello -  I'd like  to add a little  trick  that  might make the difference. From my experience -  countless times  while  walking  thru the woods the surprise of looking up  and seeing an elk staring  right at  you gives  you an instant responce of  stop and look. even tring to get  apair of bino's  up for a better look - 99.9% of the time - the second you  stop and make eye contact -  busted- they turn and  bolt  away. 

What I've learned to do is not stop - never look straight at them - it's  hard to do . I'll slow  my pace  glancing if possible  to keep the elk in sight - make a minor  change in direction if needed - act like you didn't see'm . look for tree/bush to partly concele  your  movement of drawing  a bow or lifting  a rifle  to shoot. Slow  your  pace  agin - but don't  stop  so when you step past the tree/bush you are ready to shoot .

Give it try next time  your scouting  and get surprised by an animal  staring at  you. They probably  think they are still hiden ! it  does  work !  Gary

Proper meat care makes for the best table fare

I agree with you Gary.  A lot of times an animal won't take off until you actually make eye contact with them and then they are gone in a flash!

 

Topgun----30-06 NAHC LM NWTF NRA US Army Vet Corp SP5 68-71

Wow that was a lot of reading.  As everyone has pointed out hunting these elk is an ardous event.  On average an elk will travel 10-15 miles a day.  They are freaks like that, so do be in shape.  I've experienced everything read and learned through experience.  One thing not noted was that you need to give an area some time.  What I mean by that is more than 1-2 seasons.  You need to learn it.  So the first two seasons hopefully that happens because your chasing the elk around it and begin to learn where they go and hang out.  I've hunted the Nanum since 1990, with a bow, and have endured many regulation changes to what it is today.  I know that area by the back of my hand and where they will go with or without pressure.  I will bugle and cow call and use many different types.  The elk there rut starting sometime mid to late sept and the season ends before they stop so I don't know when that is.  This last year I picked up the primos "hot lips".  Unbeleiveably I drug some elk in.  Since it was new I didn't have alot of practice and my hunting partner said it sounded like a kazoo.  It really is alot harder to use!  I also use a ton of cover scent just in case of those unexpected times of bieng caught in the wind.....it does confuse them and buys you a "little" time. 

On another note a few years ago my hunting partner got on this site and some guy invited us to his camp and we went....having lived in the western side since 1981 and friends telling me where the GIANT elk live and why I knew we were going to be in for a hunt...I met some really nice guy's and even climbed down that freaking mountain to the camp after chasing the elk around all day.  We made a plan fopr the next day and a couple of guys from the next camp shot the 5x5 out of the herd.  Remember that Dean.  I'm glad to see your doing well.  Hope to run into again someday.  These are a great bunch of guy's.  

Yep, remember that well!  The kid that arrowed that 5x5 should have been hunting miles from us with my advise.  Same kid dropped a 6x6 last season that Lonnie had arrowed, and was following the blood trail on.  Said he was still pissed at me for inviting you firefighters up to hunt with us.  Enjoyed hunting with ya, and having you in camp!  Thanks for adding your savvy here.  Shoot me an email dbowers54@aol.com
Dean
H2O Elkaholic

Hunting Elk in a rainforest; ya haven't experienced it till ya had rain running down the crack of your *** 30 minutes out of camp. Formerly a Roosevelt Elk hunter on the Washington coast, now hunting them Rocky Mtn. ones, in Wyoming.

TWELCH
Gotta agree!  A few years ago while hunting a gated road in Idaho, I stopped in a wide circle at what appeared to the end of the road.  There were two skid roads, one dropping off the other going up.  Standing in the center of the circle, I broke out a call and made a few mews.  Immediately an animal came running right at me, turned out to be only a  Elk calf.  It stopped about 30 ft from me and checked me out.  Didn't like what it saw and ran right straight back up the upper skid road where it had come.  I being dumb, (dumb, if a calf is nearby other Elk are too!) (we learn from our mistakes), I called some more to stop the little guy and see what would happen.  Before I could even move, his mom (with him in tow) came running right back down the same trail, me still standing in the open circle.  "Getting busted by a calf, maybe not a big deal."  "Getting busted by mom, and hearing the rest of them chirping and busting out of there when mom barked and turned inside out to head back the way she'd come, PRICELESS!"  Though I don't think I'd call it "PRICELESS!"  Just learning!!!  I now never call from the open, I always have some kind of cover, before putting the call in my mouth!!!

Dean
H2O

Hunting Elk in a rainforest; ya haven't experienced it till ya had rain running down the crack of your *** 30 minutes out of camp. Formerly a Roosevelt Elk hunter on the Washington coast, now hunting them Rocky Mtn. ones, in Wyoming.

I've had the same experience as Gary, talking about eye contact. Many times while trying to stalk within my short bow range I have been busted by an individual elk I hadn't previously seen. Simply by freezing in my tracks and bowing my head so that the brim of my hat covers my eyes I have often convinced that elk that I was of no threat.

 

The problem is that elk don't have anything more important to do than to stand there and stare at you. It may be five or ten minutes of standing in an awkward position before the elk relaxes and moves on or barks and bolts. During that time every fly in the world will land on your nose and the mosquitoes will fly in your ears and feast on your blood.

Big Lance

hello - Ok- you've hunted  hard all morning - opening  weekend  archery elk season  -weathers ammasing - light winds -slightly overcast-temperatures in the mid 60's lower  70's . you've been chasing  elk bugles all morning -  time  for a break -

here's what happened to me - found a nice  spot in the  shade  - it's  probaly  close  to noon - you know all the elk are bedded  by  now - so  time  to relax a bit - munch on a snack - trail mix-energy bar - jerky -   you set your bow down - take off  day pack - get out  gps  -water  bottle snacks .

 I just sat  down  opened my water - was checking on the gps for my location - not really paying attention - I hear something walking  and a limb snap - Look up to see elk walking my direction - less than 50  yds  and closing -  Can't move !  I watch  6-7 cows  and calfs  walk by at 30 yrds.  thankfully winds working to my advantage - It's  awesume - then here  comes the bull  huge  5x5  a monster  - close  to 300 - an apsolute bueaty - I'm sitting on a downed log  with my pack by myside , water  bottle in one hand , gps in the other hand   bow just within  reach .  this  bull stops  at  25  yards  and  walks  back and  forth like a model on a runway. he was within bow  range  for at least 5 minutes  and i couldn't do a thing  but  sit  and watch -

. It's one experience I'll never  forget - Don't assume all the elk bed down early !  I actaully sat the same spot the next  day, at about the same time and low and behold here they come agin. This  time  i was prepared but  the bull never  showed -  go figure !   Gary  

Proper meat care makes for the best table fare