Hello every one, I drew and area 7 cow tag and am very movtivated and determined to try to fill it. I will be in wyoming from the middle of aguest to the end of oct working on a ranch near douglas. I would REALLy alike to try and fill it with archrey gear. I have a good bit of experience chasing whitails with a bow, but have never hunted out west before with either a gun or bow so I realize the long odds. My questions are these:First, I am NOT looking for some one to share there secret spot with me, These are questions coming from a total greeni, What are things I should be looking for when scouting onling and on a topo map?What would be a good straegy or method fro hunting an elk in area 7 during late augest/ sept? do i find water holes and sit my them? do I sit by trails? i am used to sitting all day in a treestand so waiting is not and Issue.I am also in excellent shape and love to hike so am not afraid about getting off the beaten path. I would appreciate ANY advice or help you all would have for this newbi. Thanks in advance!
Help for a new elk hunter!
- Thread starter Jonah
- Start date
I would glass from high points. I would plan on being on mtn, glassing from first to last light.
watch some bugling videos. learn to do a basic bugle and cow call, to help you locate them. chances are good at that time of year a simple cow call will bring them in. as the rut should be on. can't really tell you how to call , as I vary what I do ,to fit situation. I wouldn't recommend you over call. I generally throw one out every half hour to hour. once something answers I will often(not always) answer it with another call. elk ,really are, some pretty dumb critters ,once you figure them out.
watch some videos .see how the pros do it.
watch some bugling videos. learn to do a basic bugle and cow call, to help you locate them. chances are good at that time of year a simple cow call will bring them in. as the rut should be on. can't really tell you how to call , as I vary what I do ,to fit situation. I wouldn't recommend you over call. I generally throw one out every half hour to hour. once something answers I will often(not always) answer it with another call. elk ,really are, some pretty dumb critters ,once you figure them out.
watch some videos .see how the pros do it.
hoshour
Veteran member
Mike Eastman has a great book on elk hunting - see the Eastmans store - Elk Hunting the West Revisited
HighCountryJunkies
New Member
- Jul 29, 2017
- 7
- 0
If you are strictly after harvesting a cow with your bow I would master a cow call. There several different types of calls to choose from. Very easy to learn how to call with mouth calls. I would work on mastering making cow calls with a mouth reed. Its important to be able to make soft calls when at full draw when hunting solo. The most important tool other than your bow when archery hunting is your wind checker. You always need to have the wind in your favor. If an elk winds you its game over. There are so many different tips and tactics. I would recommend locating a group of elk from a distance. Move in close downwind without them knowing your there. Try to get within a 100 yds or so. Get in a good spot with shooting lanes. Start out making a few delayed cow calls and then wait 10-15 minutes and increase the excitement the longer you wait. When a shot is offered its really important on paying attention to the way the animal is facing(broadside, quartering to, quartering away, face on) Its important to be ethical with what shot to take and what not to. Thats up to the sportsmans discretion, Ill let you make that decision. Just practice for all scenarios, good luck.
Hilltop
Veteran member
3 methods that all produce;
1-Ambush- Your whitetail strategies will work great if you can predict where they will be. Good scouting can accomplish this early in the season.
2- Spot and stalk- tough but possible. A heard of cows are pretty wary but the terrain in area 7 sometimes allows some pretty good stalks.
3- Call them in. Cows will come to cow calls. Be mindful that calves will sometimes run in recklessly. I have had them come inside of 5 yards to a simple cow call. If your willing to harvest a calf, this may be your easiest option.
All 3 techniques require you to keep the wind in your favor at all times. Blend techniques and be willing to adapt. Plenty of elk there but your biggest limitation will be property access. As far as on-line scouting goes- find what is accessible to you legally. Anything holding a decent amount of trees/water will hold elk at least some of the time. No substitute for boots on the ground in that area. Good luck to you and keep us posted on what you find.
1-Ambush- Your whitetail strategies will work great if you can predict where they will be. Good scouting can accomplish this early in the season.
2- Spot and stalk- tough but possible. A heard of cows are pretty wary but the terrain in area 7 sometimes allows some pretty good stalks.
3- Call them in. Cows will come to cow calls. Be mindful that calves will sometimes run in recklessly. I have had them come inside of 5 yards to a simple cow call. If your willing to harvest a calf, this may be your easiest option.
All 3 techniques require you to keep the wind in your favor at all times. Blend techniques and be willing to adapt. Plenty of elk there but your biggest limitation will be property access. As far as on-line scouting goes- find what is accessible to you legally. Anything holding a decent amount of trees/water will hold elk at least some of the time. No substitute for boots on the ground in that area. Good luck to you and keep us posted on what you find.