Free Gear Friday!!!

[cohunter14]

It's been awhile since we've been able to do a Free Gear Friday with hunting season in place, but we figured in honor of the 10th Elktalk Podcast dropping today, why not? And in that 10th episode, Randy sits down with John Barklow, the big game product manager of Sitka Gear. So you know what that means? Time to give away some Sitka Gear!


To enter today's contest, simply reply below with something you learned this year on your hunt. If you weren't able to hunt this year, you can share a learned lesson from a prior year. One entry per person please and to win you must have a minimum of five posts on the forum. Contest will run until Sunday at 5:00pm MST.

The winner will have their choice of one of the following Sitka items:


Jetstream Vest, size Medium (Black)
Mountain Vest, size Large (Subalpine)
Kelvin Active Jacket, size XL (Open Country)
Sitka 90% Pants, size 34T (Open Country)


Good luck!!!

 

[Army of Dad]

I learned that we need to do a better job of knowing which trails are allowed for motorized travel. Totally killed our plans A and B.

We made a go of it and found a sanctuary surrounded by roads. Even though we couldn?t seal the deal in there we had it to ourselves since it was overlooked by everyone else.


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[hawker]

What I learned this season is patience. Instead of hard charging sometimes it?s way better to just sit and wait for a couple of hours for a better situation. Wind, thermals, elk activity.

 

[Elk Noob]

I learned to be more aggressive, but while being aggressive also to be careful.


I messed up my chance on a nice bull during archery by not being aggressive enough, and busted myself by being aggressive but careless on another elk.

 

[daklpz]

First season for me.

I've learned patience.
It means everything.  It allowed me to bag two harvests in one day.

 

[ILbowhntr]

Learned I need to read the situation better and decide on patience or aggression.

 

[Jadixon2]

This season was an amazing learning experience! I learned how to be a much more effective caller by watching Corey and Randy's video's and studying what works for them. By doing that I learned not only different elk sounds but, actually what to reply to them with certain sounds. Getting elk to reply to my calls almost everyday of the hunt was a huge confidence booster. Still have so much to learn but, can't wait for next September. 


Also learned that getting setup in the correct location for incoming elk was a huge game changer when it comes to possible shot opportunities.

 

[Timvz26]

I learned that actually buying expensive hunting clothing is actually worth the investment.
Wore nothing but sitka gear for a week long hunting trip and my wife didn't plug her nose when I got home and went to give her a hug!

 

[bstiger]

One thing that was apparent, is that I am not aggressive enough and need to bugle more.  In the past bugling was limited and thought it was going to be easy to change but habits are hard to break.. While i did bugle more this year I need to step it up more next year.  I have learned a lot from your pod casts as well as your hunting experience with Born and Raised.  Looking forward to your videos this year, especially your hunt in Oregon as this is where I hunt. Thanks and keep the information coming!

 

[wyoelk300+]

I learned patience, but probably not how you're thinking. This was the first year in a long time that I hunted with someone. I've camped with friends during seasons in the past but have usually flown solo when hunting.
With my oldest son being close to legal age in Wyoming for big game, this season's experience of hunting with a friend turned into more of a learning experience for me and a handful of lessons in humility.
I love the fact that even with decades of hunting experience and knowledge gained, being in the outdoors can always teach us something new that we weren't even aware we needed to know!

 

[big44a4]

I learned that each season is different. Last year found elk 3rd week in an area they were already moved out of by opening day this year. Different factors can change things year to year.


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[popsbrothers]

Twice this year we blew setups by the caller setting up too close to the shooter. In both cases the bull hung up just out of range. Both bulls stopped at the point where he thought he should have seen the cow calling.


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[wl704]

Don't judge a book by its cover...re deux. Or, there is more than one way to pack out.

I was lucky to share camp with a friend of a friend (Justin, SW PSE rep) who brought his horses. Not just any horses, but some (super) Shetlands. Initially (see my face below) I thought they were just a novelty, but when I saw these 2 packed out Justin's (boned out) elk, I was impressed! Little food, for little horses which will greatly impress you, given the chance.

It was fun to learn/help with some basic tending of them around camp.  And, they made a great alarm system around the camp at night.

 

[TKR]

Learned from elktalk I need update first aid kit. 

 

[Tn2715]

I learned this year not to get to aggressive with post rut bulls. Had one coming in and hung up so I stepped up my aggression and he wanted no part of it.

 

[Wyo67]

This year we applied the lessons learned of having a plan B, C, D, and E.  After being evacuated from our primary area due to a fast moving wildfire and finding an excessive amount of hunters in our plan B location, we were able to put our preseason scouting to good use and were able to get my partner an elk for the first time in a couple years.

 

[klyons]

I learned that each day in the woods is special.  I'm facing the possibility of having my left shoulder replaced and am doing all the research I can to heal it, prevent it and delay it for as long as possible.  I have never be able to hunt with a bow with my shoulder issues, but hunting with a rifle and crossbow are now at risk.


Thanks to everyone with their stories and letting me live vicariously through them.  It is keeping me hopeful that I will be able to elk hunt one day.

 

[Elk Arrow]

The roadless area of OnX was the biggest benefit to our hunt this year.

 

[powhound]

Being my first season of elk hunting (solo) I learned a multitude of things.  My biggest takeaway is that just getting out there is the best way to learn.  I have read this site and watched hundreds of youtube videos but nothing can replicate being out in the field.


I also learned the importance of having the correct gear.  Buying a pair of Sitka Ascent pants half way through the season was the best decision I made, felt like I was much lighter and could cover much more ground.  Would love to add another sitka piece to my repertoire for years of CO elk hunting to come

 

[SteveR]

Thanks to UEH I learned how to use wind better for the setup, and I learned how to use a diaphragm call for much improved calling.