The Campfire Chat...

cohunter14

cohunter14

Administrator
Jul 10, 2017
5,345
If we were all sitting around a campfire at elkcamp right now BS-ing, where would the conversation go? Let\'s get this thread going with the quick questions some of you guys would ask to everyone else. This doesn\'t have to be a newbie asking a veteran, it can be vice-versa. What basic questions would you ask about elk hunting to the guys? I\'ll start with this one and it goes to anyone: what percentage of elk hunting do you contribute to knowledge, experience, and hard work versus luck?

Anyone can answer, and as we go, feel free to fire off the next question and keep the conversation going. We don\'t want the conversation to dwindle and have someone fall asleep around the fire, especially with some of the characters we have around here... :D
 
Will an elk come back if he kind of saw you, but didn\'t smell you? If so, what kind of call would use, if any?
 
Interesting thread Cohunter. I will take a stab at answering your question. I am going to assume you are referring to success in killing animals as anybody can hunt. To me it is a 50/50 proposition. Perseverance and patience make up half of the equation. You will not get elk if you are not out there. You will rarely get anything if you are just bumbling along. We can gain some general hunting knowledge and apply it to elk and do better than not knowing anything. Watch the wind, keep quiet and stay out of sight is a good start. We can build from there and eventually you know that you have taken care of everything under your control.

To answer Dana\'s question: Probably not if he is leaving. If he is just moving in whatever direction and looking, I would probably try a cow call.

Here is my question. What would you do if you were looking through your binoculars and saw cnelk sitting in his tree stand and you knew he had not seen you? I think I would stay out of sight and start sounding like there was a crazy elk breeding sequence going on, and watch Brad through my binoculars when I could. I suppose if I could reel him in we would have a good laugh and a snack together. Maybe we would have some coffee to.
 
\"Swede\" said:
Here is my question. What would you do if you were looking through your binoculars and saw cnelk sitting in his tree stand and you knew he had not seen you? I think I would stay out of sight and start sounding like there was a crazy elk breeding sequence going on, and watch Brad through my binoculars when I could. I suppose if I could reel him in we would have a good laugh and a snack together. Maybe we would have some coffee to.
Click to expand...

Hahaha, if I saw him I would do two things: first of all, I would mark my GPS and second, I would start looking around. Chances are there are some elk around! The crazy elk breeding sequence sounds like a fun option as well though :upthumb:
 
Many times I have called elk elk back into shooting range after they spooked for some reason.
Other times there is no stopping them so it all depends!

As far as me sitting in a tree stand, I think it highly unlikely you see me before I see you.

Oh what fun I could have ;)
I just may take revenge for a certain bear
 
If someone asks, I tell them. Otherwise, I don\'t go around talking about it or bragging by any means. I know that by telling them, you open yourself up to things like \"where did you hunt\" and \"can I come with next year\" but I don\'t mind that.
 
If you blow elk out of an area (bench, park...) is that spot done for the day or week. I can only relate to WT. They will only tolerate humans for so long and likely abandon the area for awhile. How about elk?
 
If you are in an area with good elk numbers, I would give it a day and try the spot again.
The elk will meander thru there again

Hunt it soft, if the wind is bad, dont do the same mistake twice.
 
\"Bob Frapples\" said:
Why arent you guys helping me pack out my elk?
Click to expand...

We are waiting for you to bring the first load. While you are getting the next one we will be cooking up some fresh backstraps for ya. You better hurry theese guys look hungry.

My question. If you cover a good amount of your area and haven\'t heard a peep from the elk and the sign is old how many days do you waste before relocating?
 
\"bowhunter\" said:
\"Bob Frapples\" said:
Why arent you guys helping me pack out my elk?
Click to expand...

We are waiting for you to bring the first load. While you are getting the next one we will be cooking up some fresh backstraps for ya. You better hurry theese guys look hungry.

My question. If you cover a good amount of your area and haven\'t heard a peep from the elk and the sign is old how many days do you waste before relocating?
Click to expand...

Terry, I will give it a long, hard day...then I\'m outta there. There are always other areas that hold elk...and if there\'s no vocal activity...I\'m at least looking for good, fresh sign.

My question: I\'ve never boned out elk quarters...is it always worth the effort, or only if you have 5 or more miles to pack out?
 
In some units, elk migrate and feed in a large circular pattern. They come through an area about every week or two. In areas like that it is good to have a lot of experience, and to know about when they will be back. If the sign is old, that could mean they will soon be back where you are. In other areas old sign just means they were there, and they may not be back anytime soon. You just have to know your area.

Boning out or not boning out seems to be as much of a personal preference as anything else. I prefer not to bone unless it is a two plus mile pack out. That mileage is not exact and depends on the terrain. I have helped butcher and packed out elk for people that prefer to leave the bone at the kill sites. They don\'t want to pack bone any distance. I don\'t know how consistent this is, but my observation is that people that bone out in the woods, butcher their own elk and are very careful with it. I am careful about keeping my meat clean, but let a professional do the butchering. I know butchers won\'t mess with smaller contaminated pieces, so I expose the least amount of meat possible. I don\'t want to leave any meat for the coyotes either. Let them eat guts.
 
Terry
A few things to consider before moving.
How much time will it take to relocate? Could the elk be back in your area in a day or 2?
If you have a \'Plan B\', 2-3 days seeing nothing would be my suggestion. You want to fully exhaust an area before moving on.


Jeff
5 miles is long way to pack bone. I would seriously consider de-boning before pack that far.
You will cut down on one or more pack trip by de-boning.

But, if you have the time and the terrain is easy, start walking and debone back at camp.

I dont think just \'miles\' determines if you should de-bone or not.
 
What is your opinion on having a camp fire at night?

As for me, I\'m thinking a small camp fire at night (if I\'m not beat) is a nice relaxing part of camp. Yes you may smell like smoke, but heck, if the elk smells the smoke on you, wouldn\'t he also smell the man funk?

Thoughts?
 
Having a fire is great way to solve the world\'s problems and just bring a new perspective on everything.
It doesnt matter if that at elk camp or in the backyard

We have a fire almost every night at elk camp
 

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Man that was a dumb question.

The title of the thread is \'The Campfire Chat\'. Duh!

Brain fade is starting early today.
 
Lol AB, no worries. I know some people don\'t use fires at camp, so I guess I should have titled the thread something different :shh:

For those of you who have killed multiple elk, what is the average day that you make your kill? Opening day, day ten, etc. I am interested to see this. For me, surprisingly, we have had a lot of success on day two. I can only remember one or two elk ever taken opening morning in our camp.
 
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