- Jul 31, 2014
- 18
- 0
This is my first year archery elk hunting, and I don't know very much. Do you guys have any tips you wished you had when you started elk hunting?
Elk hunting tips
- Thread starter BGbowhunters
- Start date
Patience
Stealth
Bulls occasionally have their guard down. Lead cows never have their guard down.
highplainsdrifter
Very Active Member
Don't bugle too much. Generally less bugling is better than more bugling especially if hunting in a heavily hunted area. Use a cow call and keep your ears alert.
Topgun 30-06
Banned
Bugle sparingly and mostly use your cow call. If a bull has his harem, bugling may well send him and his cows packing since he won't want another bull around his cows. Patience and especially awareness of the wind at all times is a real key. Elk make noise when they move around and a little noise won't bust you, but a breeze the wrong way at even long distances will. If you think you've screwed up and alerted them on a stalk, gently cow call like you're one of the herd.
mnhoundman
Veteran member
He said it! I have learned more here than ever, if it weren't for this site I wouldn't have much of a clue on high country hunting. Of course it's also experience, but this site frickin rock! Thanks to all the great folks here willing to help out!
Have patience especially after a call sequence my first couple years of elk hunting i missed oppurtunities because i didnt stay in my setup long enough. If your in close and the bull just wont break away from his cows, wait for him to rip a bugle and then cut him off with a weak bugle had it work many times bull gets pissed comes looking for a fight.
Apparition
Active Member
Hunt where the elk are, 10 percent of country will hold 90 percent of the elk, if you havent had the chance to preseason scout, you're going to have to do the leg work first to find the elk then you can do whats suggested above.
tim
Veteran member
luckynv
Active Member
Pick an area and learn it, Hunting Elk is a learning experience. Most new hunters are not successfull the first few/several years out. Learn their patterns, trails, habits, smells, patience and diligence pay off. When you think you are in good shape physically then try Elk hunting, very humbling. Good luck and God bless, Mark
A contradiction in hunting strategy...when calling, wait longer than you think necessary before moving...there are many elk that come in silently like "ghost bulls." If you get on a herd bull...if you want to have a chance, better be in great shape because he will turn and head out with his cows. If you can keep up with him and pester, annoy, irritate, or "PO" him and his cows, he is often likely to turn and come in aggressively to run off the interloper...but you'll likely cover a lot of ground...like 2 to 4 miles. It works but only for those that are in good condition and prepared to spend a night out.
OregonJim
Very Active Member
Don't rush shots!
Wait for the animal to take that last few steps or come in another 5 yards!
Use a range finder on inanimate objects frequently and you won't need to use one when animals come in.
Wait for the animal to take that last few steps or come in another 5 yards!
Use a range finder on inanimate objects frequently and you won't need to use one when animals come in.
RUTTIN
Veteran member
Also take the first good shot opportunity you are given, because most times if something can go wrong before the shot it will, like wind swirling or an unseen cow busting you. Be prepared to draw early and hold for a while so as not to get busted drawing.
ssliger
Very Active Member
Enjoy yourself! Don't get worked up if things are not working. Your going to mess things up, learn from your mistakes. Oh and did I say "enjoy yourself"
Hilltop
Veteran member
I'll echo sslinger- The most important tip given in my opinion. Elk hunting is so much more than the kill. Some of my best memories are not related to the actual harvest of an elk but were rather experiences gained during the course of learning to hunt them.
ddress00
Member
i've been a whitetail hunter most my life. Recently (past 10 years have become an elk hunter) this forum is the place to be. Dont expect all the right answers or tips on honey holes, but read the threads.
Best advice I wish i had first starting out, is be ready to put in hours and hours of nothing while your sitting/stalking. Typical odds i've heard for the average hunter is they get a bull 4/10 times. But if you put in the time and effort it takes prior to the season then you can get a bull every season.
dont bugle to much. and when you do bugle dont be the biggest baddest sounding elk this side of the miss.
good luck. keep everyone posted on your adventures
drew
mandrroofing
New Member
- Jan 26, 2014
- 41
- 0
Get in the best shape you can.Get Mentally prepaired for some tuff tuff hunting.Get were you want to be early and hunt till dark...
Hycntryhtr
Member
Try to find a bull solo. Lead cows are trickier than any whitetail.
Most of all, enjoy it.. Good, bad, hit or miss, soak it in. Elk season is a special time of year!
Also cow call, and hardly bugle. If you're trailing a feeding herd get the wind get close cow call and sometimes you can turn them around be cuz the bull thinks he lost a cow, had it work for me last year, then missed my shot. But it was an amazing experience. Best of luck to everyone!
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Most of all, enjoy it.. Good, bad, hit or miss, soak it in. Elk season is a special time of year!
Also cow call, and hardly bugle. If you're trailing a feeding herd get the wind get close cow call and sometimes you can turn them around be cuz the bull thinks he lost a cow, had it work for me last year, then missed my shot. But it was an amazing experience. Best of luck to everyone!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wapiti_Hunter
Member
Get in shape! I know a lot of guys who think they are in shape for hunting until they get to the high altitude and rocky mountains. Train correctly and train hard! As others have said enjoy being out there away from what you usually do! Good luck!