Starting with a definition, I think the complete elk hunter is a hunter who seems to always know the right technique for any situation. I know of a few guys that come close to fitting the bill. As to my opinion of my own completeness (is that a word?) I would say I should be pretty darn solid in 15-20 years, but for now, I get the job done, but almost entirely by luck, a little skill and perseverance. I am really good at finding elk and tend to be good at finding big bulls, and after this last year, I feel good about adapting to pressured elk. I also consider myself to be a pretty talented caller.
Where I am greatly lacking is hunting any environment besides dark timber. If I had a habitat to call my own, I am an animal that is found only in dark timber during hunting season. I don\'t know where else to find elk even though they are all over the place. I am also WAY too impatient to be a good still hunter which to me is the most difficult and valuable technique a good hunter should possess. I am really terrible at patterning elk unless it is painfully obvious. I know hunters that always know where their elk will be. It doesn\'t matter what time of year it is, they just have their patterns down. I can always find the elk, but I don\'t always know where they are and my technique for finding them is not going to be sustainable as I get older. Finally, I lack patience...big time. I have blown several really good opportunities on some very big bulls simply because I was too impatient to let the scenario play out.
As far as equipment is concerned, I think as advances are made in hunting technology really good or complete hunters will become more and more rare. The complete hunter is a dying breed. I mean no offense to anyone here but all the money and all the gadgets in the world won\'t make you a better hunter. Take all the technology away. Leave nothing but the weapon and the guy that still gets the job done year after year is the better hunter, plain and simple.
Where I am greatly lacking is hunting any environment besides dark timber. If I had a habitat to call my own, I am an animal that is found only in dark timber during hunting season. I don\'t know where else to find elk even though they are all over the place. I am also WAY too impatient to be a good still hunter which to me is the most difficult and valuable technique a good hunter should possess. I am really terrible at patterning elk unless it is painfully obvious. I know hunters that always know where their elk will be. It doesn\'t matter what time of year it is, they just have their patterns down. I can always find the elk, but I don\'t always know where they are and my technique for finding them is not going to be sustainable as I get older. Finally, I lack patience...big time. I have blown several really good opportunities on some very big bulls simply because I was too impatient to let the scenario play out.
As far as equipment is concerned, I think as advances are made in hunting technology really good or complete hunters will become more and more rare. The complete hunter is a dying breed. I mean no offense to anyone here but all the money and all the gadgets in the world won\'t make you a better hunter. Take all the technology away. Leave nothing but the weapon and the guy that still gets the job done year after year is the better hunter, plain and simple.
