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Took on my first archery elk hunt this year. I don?t have enough space to write what all I learned, but the main lesson was how to approach/wait on elk after I have heard their initial bugle.
 
I learned to treat all set ups like they are an elk. I assumed a bugle I was moving in on was a hunter because it was on the trail but ended up bumping the cows moving in too fast.
 
I learned that I need to up my conditioning. Last year I got into good shape and this year took it for granite, man I got my but kicked.
 
First time elk hunting this year. Learned so much I don't even know where to start. The main lesson I learned was to never give up. I called in some elk for my 13yr old son and he shot twice and blacked out. The elk moved off so we reset and called them back in two more times, but no more shooting opportunities. Went back to original call in area found both arrows with blood on them and a cow elk laying only 30 yards away. My son must have blacked out he thought he missed both times and the elk was hit both times and laying within sight. It's a good thing that he didn't get another shot when I called them back in twice. What a story at least part of it I'll never forget that day. As long as they're not spooked bad it seems like they'll come back in on a reset. Or at least that day they did.
 
This was my first year ever to actively call elk.  Practiced like crazy with tubes and diaphragms to get good at bugling.  Ended up calling in 6 bulls to within 80 yards over the coarse of a week during the first week of September.  Was absolutely awesome but sadly wasn't able to punch a tag.  One thing I noticed was the lack of aggression in the bulls.  They would reply and come slowly to the calls but not really get mad looking for a fight.  Kept trying to work them up without success.  However, what did end up working was getting close calling and then quickly walking away while bugling.  The bull would get fired up thinking he had you on the run and come in to continue pushing you away.  Sadly when this happened we didn't have someone set up where we were originally positioned in order to pull the bull by them and take a shot.  Lesson learned and the technique will certainly be applied next year.  Now someone hurry up and make September come back.
 
I learned that as I get older the more I don't like hunting alone.  It's more of the after-hunt that I think was missed this year.  When younger and camped out, I enjoyed being solo but my hunting 'style' has changed.



 
Sadly we learned that camping on top doesn't help your odds as the wind is usually wrong morning and evening.  So we were fighting a loosing battle out of the gate and regretfully didn't change.  We already knew this, but followed advise of another friend with the same le tag in 2017.  Had several close encounters, but my buddy ate the best tag he's had. 
 
Several have mentioned hunting solo. I hunt deer solo but I have learned that hunting with an experienced and like minded partner is deadly on elk. I compare it to a pair of foxes or predators working together to catch a rabbit.
I also learned again the value of the heads up elk decoy. Used at the right time they can be a game changer.
 
I cut nearly 30 lbs in preparation for the season last year and completed a Train to Hunt challenge. Compared to my first trip in 2014 I moved so much better on the mountain. It gets said so much on the podcasts and YouTube but being in the best condition you can pays huge dividends! Time to start training for 2019.


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Well this year was my first season hunting. I did a solo, archery, back pack hunt and made many, many mistakes but I think the biggest thing I learned was not to waste time in an area that looks like good Elk habitat but doesn't have any sign of elk activity. I spent several days in an area that produces elk in Rifle season but I never saw a track or heard a cow call, absolutely nothing, but I kept pushing on to no avail. I did my best to apply what I learned in Elk101 but never could find the elk. I think the dry year played into my area. I am already looking forward to next year and a new plan.
 
Dont let the conditions get in your head. If you need it, take 5 minutes to gather your thoughts and make a plan rather than saying it cant be done. Otherwise, you kick yourself for the other 50.5 weeks of the year!

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This was my first elk season.  I (re)learned that no matter what I plan to do, I have to keep the wind in mind.  I spent a significant part of my week with a wind checker in my hand and was glad I did.
 
I learned this year to be prepared it can happen quick and use your time away the best you can. I got to camp after driving 28 hours and had to pack elk for the next 6. I was beat!! Got up the next morning and called in a bull and almost closed the deal. Next morning I did. Packed elk again. 3 days and we were tagged out and exhausted. Instead of resting and laying around we hit it hard and scouted and camped on the mountain every night. Found some great spots for next trip and had a blast!  Time out west is invaluable to me and we made the most of it!
 
I learned that playing wind is essential and sometimes it?s better to wait for the right wind than to push it.
 
First year archery elk hunt and I learned to just be ready at all times, sometimes a young bull or cow will sneak right in without making a noise and catch you off guard. Didn?t tag out but learned from my mistakes for next year.
 
I learned to always stay ready. With very quiet elk early in the season we had done some cold calling near a wallow. Had a group of 5 cows and 3 spikes come in after we thought the place was lifeless. I was in a very good position and was able to prepare when I saw the elk come out of the woods into the opening 65yards away. I was able to draw and wait for them to walk to the wallow and stop at 15 yards away. Then I learned how heavy elk meat is. Thanks!
 
My brother and 8 learned that even if the bulls are quiet, as they were at the beginning of this season, you should use locate bugles anyway. We had tons of fresh elk sign, but because we weren't hearing any bugles, we were too cautious in bugling and mostly cow called until the last day. On the last day we bugled a lot and were surprised by a bunch of close by bugles and chuckles. Lesson learned!!
 
as a new member i wont quality for the prize b/c i dont have 5 posts but this year it snowed over a foot of fine noisy snow in two days. when i walked it sounded loud and i wasnt expecting to see any elk and a little discouraged. i believe the sound was muffled traveling horizontally out and was mostly traveling up towards my ears as i was able to sneak in on one bull and two sets of cow/calfs before i harvested my elk.
 
I learned that I will spend more time in researching. I had assumed there was less roads in the area I wanted to hunt. Frustrating for someone that would rather not be a "road hunter". This is my second year of elk hunting and I dont have a mentor or anyone helping me but I enrolled in UEH and I will use this to hopefully be successful next year. Being in shape was a huge benefit. Last year I had clothes that was bulky and heavy. Forking out the money for Gear instead of clothes was a priceless decision. Sitkas gear worked flawlesslyand layering was key to being comfortable. .  Also will strickly hunting Archery next year. There's just something about being so close to the animal that makes it seem so magical.

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