The Once And Future Couch Potato

[Swede]

Over the many years I have hunted, and relived hunting in the off season, I have met many people that used to hunt. More than a few times I have talked to people that were bow hunters and gave up and went back to gun hunting. I believe in the vast majority of cases. the usetawaser became discouraged. The young bow hunter could not get close enough, or could not hit the target. The rifle hunter just could not find their quarry, or found the pursuit was too hard.
I believe good preparation and realistic expectations will go a long way toward keeping a person in the game so to speak. Magazine articles especially make elk hunting seem glamorous and exciting. Often it is brutally hard and if you don\'t understand, and have a passion for the challenge, you will throw in the towel after a hunt or two.
I have also observed that hunters who start to taste success, are likely to stay in the game and get better over time. So, what are some things we can point out here to help elk hunters?
1. Instant success is luck. Don\'t depend on it.
2. Learn to make your broad-head hit where you want them to. Mine hit very near where my field points do. Do not rely on a pro shop to do this for you. know how to do it yourself.
3. Regardless of the weather, or environmental condition, be prepared to stay comfortable. You will not enjoy the hunt being hungry, cold and/or wet.

What else?

 

[iccyman001]

You do not need to take out a second mortgage to buy your gear....
What I am getting at is, you buying a $2K bow with $1500 worth of accessories, sitka gear, $5000 binos and more will not guarantee you a kill or make you a better hunter.

I started small and have been continuing to work my way up with gear.

 

[cnelk]

Dedication to the hunt begins long before the hunt starts.
If the hunter isnt interested in practicing with their weapon, scouting terrain, or even talking hunting, it is a good indicator that the hunter is more into \'Instant Gratification\'
Im not saying everyone that hunts needs to practice, scout or talk hunting everyday, but when the opportunity arises, the dedicated ones take advantage, and the couch potatoes look for the remote

Understanding your quarry is key.
You must \'know\' certain things that will help you as a hunter to become successful.

 

[Deertick]

You do not need to take out a second mortgage to buy your gear....
What I am getting at is, you buying a $2K bow with $1500 worth of accessories, sitka gear, $5000 binos and more will not guarantee you a kill or make you a better hunter..

I\'ve only hunted with one of those guys ... a friend-of-a-friend, I didn\'t know him, and he was nice enough. Really a nice guy. But holy smokes did he have some high-dollar stuff. And I got the idea that he didn\'t take out a second mortgage to get his high-end optics or rifles. I wasn\'t hunting, but agreed to help him hunt, as he had never been out west before. And no, \"All the King\'s horses and all the King\'s men\" couldn\'t fill his tag.

Back to the original point, though ... pacing ones self is important. Each season, and each age, has its pleasures. Winter is for snow-sports, summer is for hiking, camping, and riding, and fall is for hunting. Youth is for ... well, you all know what youth is for.

Ah, but pace yourself and you can enjoy each of these pursuits in any season at any age ... though sometimes its just sharing stories! :lol:

One must pursue pleasures (like, say, hunting) with enough passion to get good at it, but with enough restraint so that there\'s some anticipation and excitement come September.

Learn to walk that line.

 

[Deertick]

Understanding your quarry is key.

I think this is the key, too. I think of myself as an amateur wildlife biologist. I enjoy learning about animals, trees, flowers, water-flow, geology, etc. Hunting becomes part of Learning, rather than Learning becoming part of Hunting.

I used to know my birds better, and trees. I need to get back into that stuff.

 

[Jason Balazs]

Good post.

I have all the best stuff, but I am lucky enough to have it given to me. I have hunted with the Sitka pro staff, and let me tell you. Those guys know what the heck they are doing.

I have also hunted with the guys that spend a ton of money and think they know everything there is about elk/deer. Only to come out and hunt with me wanting me to be their guide. No sir, not for me.

I used to drive in my car while I was stationed in Texas and practice my bugling and cow calling. People more than likely thought I was crazy, but I did it.

I have friends that I have hunted with that always want to go with me. They want me to call and refuse to learn how to do it. So, I don\'t hunt with them.

 

[Baby Huey]

I agree with all the above posts.

Another item:

Along with Swede\'s suggestions for bow hunters, rifle hunters will be more successful if they understand their rifle scope and how to use it. Many times at public ranges, people do not understand what MOA (minute of angle) is. Most do not really know how to use the dials on the scope, and do not know the units on them and how much a \"click\" will move bullet impact. I was like this when I first started and missed at animals because I was \"holding over\" animals at yardages I shouldn\'t have had to. Bullet trajectories, MOA and bullet drop are some basic principles that first times should be taught or make the time to research these items to be successfull with their rifle.

 

[cohunter14]

Along with Swede\'s suggestions for bow hunters, rifle hunters will be more successful if they understand their rifle scope and how to use it. Many times at public ranges, people do not understand what MOA (minute of angle) is. Most do not really know how to use the dials on the scope, and do not know the units on them and how much a \"click\" will move bullet impact. I was like this when I first started and missed at animals because I was \"holding over\" animals at yardages I shouldn\'t have had to. Bullet trajectories, MOA and bullet drop are some basic principles that first times should be taught or make the time to research these items to be successfull with their rifle.

Ditto! x2

 

[JohnFitzgerald]

And bam.......here comes a 2nd callers input.

Learn to call elk.....correctly. It\'s a very powerful tool!