I bring this up as a companion thread to the ethical hunter one. When it comes to elk hunting, how skilled are you? What are some of your strong points, and what are some areas that you would like to improve on? What would it take to get you to the next level? I started off on the last thread. Would someone else like to get this one started?
Elk Hunting Skill
- Thread starter Swede
- Start date
iccyman001
New member
- Apr 30, 2014
- 5,489
As an Elk hunter I am still new, so the only thing going for me is my determination.
That\'s not a skill in my eyes, its something some people have and some people don\'t. My heart drives my hunts.
Lets talk about some areas I want to improve on this year:
- My number one item on my list this year is to learn more about elk in general. Anyways can read about stuff, but I like seeing it in person.
I want to see how they move, how they act, how they interact with other elk, etc. I want to see this all first hand in the woods.
- Calling. I don\'t want to be a master caller, but I want to be able to call, IF I NEED TO.
- Last, I want to learn how to draw on elk. A lot of people mention that drawing on elk is very difficult compared to other animals.
I plan to draw on every elk I see, just to get the motions down and learn my timing.
That\'s not a skill in my eyes, its something some people have and some people don\'t. My heart drives my hunts.
Lets talk about some areas I want to improve on this year:
- My number one item on my list this year is to learn more about elk in general. Anyways can read about stuff, but I like seeing it in person.
I want to see how they move, how they act, how they interact with other elk, etc. I want to see this all first hand in the woods.
- Calling. I don\'t want to be a master caller, but I want to be able to call, IF I NEED TO.
- Last, I want to learn how to draw on elk. A lot of people mention that drawing on elk is very difficult compared to other animals.
I plan to draw on every elk I see, just to get the motions down and learn my timing.
I would rate myself as average. I think my strong points would be understanding elk behavior and their needs.
The thing I want to understand better is elk language. I read everything I can and take in everything you guys talk about but I still think I\'m in the dark about what they are saying.
The thing I want to understand better is elk language. I read everything I can and take in everything you guys talk about but I still think I\'m in the dark about what they are saying.
My skill of course is still hunting. I\'ve worked on it all my life, and feel I couldn\'t improve anymore. Everything involved with elk hunting revolves around still hunting. From my gear, what I wear, to how I scout. I focus on just one method, and only put myself in position to succeed at it.
Any other method, and i\'m a rookie. Even though i\'ve tried other methods. I didn\'t have enough interest in them to get good at it. In all things in my life. I\'ve picked what I like best, and concentrated on it. I\'d rather be real good at one thing, than be half good at a lot of things. Just who I am.
Any other method, and i\'m a rookie. Even though i\'ve tried other methods. I didn\'t have enough interest in them to get good at it. In all things in my life. I\'ve picked what I like best, and concentrated on it. I\'d rather be real good at one thing, than be half good at a lot of things. Just who I am.
I\'d estimate that I\'ve spent somewhere around 900 days either bowhunting for elk or helping others during archery season. This doesn\'t include days guiding rifle hunters, which is an entirely different pursuit and really can\'t be compared to bowhunting, except that the animal is the same.
I\'ve killed them out of treestands, ground blinds, behind Elk Mountain Slip Systems, when still-hunting, stalking, decoying, cow-calling, bugling, breaking sticks, sitting over or near waterholes and wallows, at fence crossings, entering and leaving bedding areas, in bedding areas, in thick timber and in open sagebrush. I\'ve killed them with an old 4 wheel Carroll compound barebow, longbows, recurves, and a modern compound with sights and release. And a few with a rifle.
Every day I learn something new about myself, my mindset, and the elk. Sometimes I\'m too patient when I need to be more aggressive, and vice-versa. Sometimes I second-guess myself and make the wrong decision. So my primary goal every time out is to draw on past experience and instinct and make the right decision every time. That\'s a goal I\'m confident will never be achieved.
Relative to the other thread about ethical hunting, I don\'t believe there is such a thing as a 100% sure shot with a bow. The instant the subconscious tells the back tension to relax and release the arrow, all bets are off. I\'ve been in on well over 100 archery elk kills, and have seen it all. The best we can do is try our best to make a killing shot within our effective range, at the right angle, with a sharp broadhead and adequate weight arrow, and hone our recovery skills (note, I didn\'t say \"blood trailing\") to the highest level possible.
I\'ve killed them out of treestands, ground blinds, behind Elk Mountain Slip Systems, when still-hunting, stalking, decoying, cow-calling, bugling, breaking sticks, sitting over or near waterholes and wallows, at fence crossings, entering and leaving bedding areas, in bedding areas, in thick timber and in open sagebrush. I\'ve killed them with an old 4 wheel Carroll compound barebow, longbows, recurves, and a modern compound with sights and release. And a few with a rifle.
Every day I learn something new about myself, my mindset, and the elk. Sometimes I\'m too patient when I need to be more aggressive, and vice-versa. Sometimes I second-guess myself and make the wrong decision. So my primary goal every time out is to draw on past experience and instinct and make the right decision every time. That\'s a goal I\'m confident will never be achieved.
Relative to the other thread about ethical hunting, I don\'t believe there is such a thing as a 100% sure shot with a bow. The instant the subconscious tells the back tension to relax and release the arrow, all bets are off. I\'ve been in on well over 100 archery elk kills, and have seen it all. The best we can do is try our best to make a killing shot within our effective range, at the right angle, with a sharp broadhead and adequate weight arrow, and hone our recovery skills (note, I didn\'t say \"blood trailing\") to the highest level possible.
I think I\'m pretty good. There is room to improve for sure, especially when it comes to still hunting. I am getting much better, but I am still a little too impatient. I have three strengths that have served me well: I am very good at finding elk. I seem to be able to locate elk when no else can. I have a great \"spidey sense\". When there is no reason to expect to see elk, I am still good at knowing when things are about to happen and being ready for it. Finally, I am a really good caller. I do many of the things that a lot of guys would say is all wrong and every year, even the tough ones, I manage to call in a lot of bulls.
cohunter14
Administrator
- Jul 10, 2017
- 5,332
Like Andy, I am pretty good at finding elk typically. However, I am good at finding elk that I don\'t have a tag for 
roblem:
What I would like to get better at is KNOWING where the elk will be. Most times I have seen elk over the last few years, it has taken me quite a while to finally locate them. I need to get to know my area better, which takes more time scouting and more years hunting. I would also love to learn more about how and where to target the larger bulls in my area during rifle season. I know they are around, but they seem much more difficult to find once the boom sticks start making noise. This also ties into just knowing my area better.
One other thing I would love to learn is how to still hunt better. I can do it, but I still have a lot to learn about being patient and being able to spot an elk before they spot me. My typical still hunting adventure normally ends with the animal seeing me first. I would love to reverse that...
Those are the main things that come to mind, but I love hanging on this site because I feel like I still learn new things frequently which add even more to my chance of finding elk every year and punching that tag
roblem: What I would like to get better at is KNOWING where the elk will be. Most times I have seen elk over the last few years, it has taken me quite a while to finally locate them. I need to get to know my area better, which takes more time scouting and more years hunting. I would also love to learn more about how and where to target the larger bulls in my area during rifle season. I know they are around, but they seem much more difficult to find once the boom sticks start making noise. This also ties into just knowing my area better.
One other thing I would love to learn is how to still hunt better. I can do it, but I still have a lot to learn about being patient and being able to spot an elk before they spot me. My typical still hunting adventure normally ends with the animal seeing me first. I would love to reverse that...
Those are the main things that come to mind, but I love hanging on this site because I feel like I still learn new things frequently which add even more to my chance of finding elk every year and punching that tag
