Bring it!

[JohnFitzgerald]

What do you bring to the woods that gives you an advantage over the elk? Physical conditioning, calling, active forum member, or years of experience? Have you done enough for this year?

I really hope nobody say\'s, \"All I\'ve done is watch Primos video\'s.\" :mock:

 

[cnelk]

We are going to pick up right where we left off last fall.
Same tactics and calling.
We know where the elk are going to be and Im confident we will have an elk on the ground opening weekend

 

[Swede]

For years I could walk most other hunters into the ground. I was in excellent condition and had what it took to keep on moving, but that was not a deciding factor. I was an outdoorsman with a lot of experience in the forest, but that did not make a big difference either.
I know a few things that work, and I just keep on doing them. Something that frustrates me, is reading articles and books that make everything sound very complicated. I am convinced most successful hunters keep it simple, and are just solid on the basics. In addition they know a few tricks that work, and keep on doing them.

 

[Tenderfoot]

I have been shooting, calling and hiking a lot more this year than I did last year.
Spending some time in the unit this summer has been the biggest confidence booster for me though.

 

[F M]

I would have to say it\'s the years of hunting the same area is what gives me a advantage. Knowing where they bed,drink and how they get to these spots.
I am confident this year. Shooting really well. Physically I am not as good as I would like to be this year but know how hard I can push myself.

 

[timberland]

A couple years of experience in the same area has given me a 1-2-3 game plan. physically I\'m as ready as I\'ve ever been. I\'ve been concentrating on strengthening my knees and ankles because they have had issues in the past.

 

[bnsafe]

this year not much except a little better understanding of the topo where i hunt an where i saw elk last year. i use to be to stupid to quit an that has served me well over the years of hunting other stuff.

 

[razorback]

Well I\'ve never elk hunted before so it\'s yet to be seen. One thing I know I bring to the woods ever year is ATTITUDE! Whether it\'s chasing turkeys or WTs, I believe I\'m going to close the deal every time I get out of the truck and I don\'t quit! I think that is why my wife says I have an OC disorder :lol: I\'m very stubborn, hard headed or whatever you want to call it. I\'ll have two weeks to hunt and I\'m going into my hunt not with the mindset of killing a bull as much as calling in a bull and just learning elk. I remember what it was like to learn how to turkey hunt. I was able to make all of the turkey sounds well before I actually called in and killed a gobbler. It took me a little while to realize I lacked woodsmanship. I was 13 when I started. Hopefully being 42 and having been in the woods for many years I\'ll pick up on elk behaviour a little faster than I did turkeys. I know this I didn\'t have all of the advice and help back then like I have now. I thank everybody who has helped me out on this forum.

Easy on the Primos guys, I know Will and those guys. They are good bunch of guys and back in the late 80s early 90s made the best turkey calls in the country. :lol: I\'m taking Troy\'s calls to the woods with me though!

 

[mtnmutt]

What do you bring to the woods that gives you an advantage over the elk? Physical conditioning, calling, active forum member, or years of experience?

Better hearing is probably the single most significant advantage over other years. I can now hear a bee buzzing nearby for the first time in 30 years. Looking forward to seeing how this translates in the elk woods. Will I hear them sooner when they approach? Will I hear elk bugles over 100 yards away? If I do, I may need to learn to do a location bugle next year.

This season\'s lower physical condition and injuries are forcing me to simplify my hunting plans. Perhaps my advantage this year will be to slowdown, think harder and not work harder. Reading Swede\'s book twice may set me up for a successful ambush hunt. In about a month, I will have a more definitive answer.

My theme song this season goes like this:
\"Slow down, you move too fast
You got to make the morning last...\"

Have you done enough for this year?

No.

However, I faith that I have enough of the right stuff in my toolbox to get the job done. I know my body. Despite my recent injuries, I know it will pull through. I have done enough Ride the Rockies, sprint triathlons and half-marathons to know that keeping a slow steady pace will get me across the finish line. I can visualize a successful hunt, therefore, it is attainable.

 

[F M]

Mtn I\'m rooting for you. You have the right attitude to get the job done. Hope you get to hear a bull bugle at about 20 yards

 

[mtnmutt]

Mtn I\'m rooting for you. You have the right attitude to get the job done. Hope you get to hear a bull bugle at about 20 yards

Thank you.

Last year, in more open terrain, I had a spike bugle at me from 100 yards away after I did a cow mew. It was a nice treat to hear one for the first time in my hunting area. Normally, I am in more dense terrain and don\'t hear them.

 

[JohnFitzgerald]

What should you be doing to prepare for season but just can\'t find the time or the energy?

Once again, please don\'t say \"Watch Primos video\'s\".

 

[cohunter14]

Watching Primos videos would be more than I have accomplished...I should be working out at a minimum, on top of many other things. Unfortunately, life is just getting in the way this year. I\'ll still get out there, but I sure don\'t have a whole lot of confidence based on the time I have (not) put in this year. Hopefully spending a few minutes on here each day with you all is enough to make up for it!

 

[mtnmutt]

What should you be doing to prepare for season but just can\'t find the time or the energy?

Training with heavy pack (pack maxes out at 50lbs). I did it last year. No time for it in June or July due to moving. Presently, my Physical Therapist doesn\'t want me to even hike right now since the SI joint keeps going out. I have been doing some 30 lbs loads. Not even close to what I was doing last year, however, my legs are strong from moving boxes up and down stairs for 2-3 months.

Lack of Cardio: I have been doing intervals of running while doing long fast pace walks. It is not up to par for my normal level of training. During my scouting trip, I had no trouble hiking around, so I am not too worried about it. I could cover 6 miles a day in moderate terrain with some steep terrain and be okay. I am blessed with strong legs and larger than average bones for a woman my size. Genetics of being Scottish/Polish/Slovakian makes me a good pack mule.

 

[OldMan]

There was a time when all I brought was my dad, because I knew nothing. Now I bring all he taught me, and all i\'ve learned on my own over the years.

Sometimes it\'s still not enough. Keep in mind it\'s the elks job to stay alive, and he works at it 24/7. He deserves to win too.

 

[Deertick]

What should you be doing to prepare for season but just can\'t find the time or the energy?

Once again, please don\'t say \"Watch Primos video\'s\".

Shooting more.

A lot more.