My experience: 7 cows and 2 bulls since 2015.
1) I've never used a call past October 1. I usually bring one in case I need to stop a fleeing elk, but I've never needed to stop a running elk.
2) I've never deboned an elk in the field and have never felt the need to. I like hanging boned in...
I'd go with scenario 2. Glassing for one deer without having seen deer at all is tough. Glassing for a specific deer is a lot easier if you've been seeing deer. That first animal is always the toughest to spot.
The only big game rifle I've ever owned/used is a .270 Win. I've only ever used the cheapest 130 gr. bullet I can find and I've never taken an initial shot over 300 yards. I've filled 9 elk tags since 2015 and have never been in a scenario where I thought the bullet was inadequate.
I always err on going later in the season. Last year, I got my buck two days before the end of season. Hunted an area with very little public land and didn't see another soul.
Unfortunately that number will grow each year for the foreseeable future. I’m glad we’re in the good old days of elk hunting to make up for it. I spent fewer days elk hunting last season than antelope hunting but killed the same number of elk. A lot of non-hunting friends got loads of elk meat...
I’ve encountered ruffies in an undisclosed mountain range in an undisclosed state that have very little fear of humans. This photo is very believable to me.
In my experience, podiatrists are a waste of time. I was misdiagnosed by one last year. He said I had plantar fascitis and i was good to keep walking on it. I did. I missed all of September grouse hunting because it got much worse. Physical therapist said I had posterior tibial tendonitis caused...