This last season was my first time chasing elk in the mountains. My brother, brother-in-law, and I gave it the first go this year during bow season and all I can say it was a learning experience that was humbling and amazing at the same time.
I wanted to share some of my biggest take away for whatever they are worth to everyone just starting or for everyone's enjoyment.
1. I trained and worked out for the hunt but what I did do wasn't the best for me. We hunted in September and we wanted to cover as many miles bugling each day. For me at mile 9 on day one my knees gave. All of my running all summer helped me keep my breath but I did not strengthen my body to handle the dead fall and going down hill with even a light load. So this year I will be focusing just as much on flexibility and leg strength as endurance.
2. I had NO CLUE what to do when the elk weren't talking. We hit the mountains and hunted in snow and rain for all but 2 days of our 8 day hunt. The days we couldn't buy a bugle we're tough but we kept covering ground. This is one of my goals this year is to focus on learning what to do and where to go when you can't buy a bugle during the rut.
3. Wind, wind, wind! We knew the wind was one of the most things to watch and we did. Made several big long loops that did get us close to elk a couple times because we made sure the wind was right. However, it amazed me how much the wind changes in 10 steps, but going the long way in and watching the wind had us in within 80 yards each way of two bulls with us in the middle instigating. That was awesome, but someone following the bugles didn't watch the wind and sent everything over the ridge.
4. To repeat Big Fin, get away from the roads. Everytime we were within a mile and a half of the truck we were calling to other hunters. Met some good people this way but every time we got 3 miles and out we were in elk.
5. Put the miles in. We did that each day and we saw elk everyday. We never took a shot but for a couple first timers we were just excited to see elk everyday.
6. I was the only one to go full draw on the trip but the cows we called in stopped frontal at 38 yards. I never liked the shot she gave me and I have no regrets on not pushing a shot. Looking back now I have just as much satisfaction in knowing I was that close to notching a tag but choosing to not pushing the limits of reality for good shot on an animal. It does however have a pretty good fire stoked to get back next year and get the job done.
7. Get out and do it! We already have the same OTC tags bought for next year. I can say for myself I caught the bug for Western hunting. There is something surreal about being in an environment where you are not the one in charge. It's humbling and rewarding in every way. I don't have a good excuse of why I haven't done this before.
I hope this helps some guys going out for the first time this year and also I hope everyone chips in with all the things I missed.
I wanted to share some of my biggest take away for whatever they are worth to everyone just starting or for everyone's enjoyment.
1. I trained and worked out for the hunt but what I did do wasn't the best for me. We hunted in September and we wanted to cover as many miles bugling each day. For me at mile 9 on day one my knees gave. All of my running all summer helped me keep my breath but I did not strengthen my body to handle the dead fall and going down hill with even a light load. So this year I will be focusing just as much on flexibility and leg strength as endurance.
2. I had NO CLUE what to do when the elk weren't talking. We hit the mountains and hunted in snow and rain for all but 2 days of our 8 day hunt. The days we couldn't buy a bugle we're tough but we kept covering ground. This is one of my goals this year is to focus on learning what to do and where to go when you can't buy a bugle during the rut.
3. Wind, wind, wind! We knew the wind was one of the most things to watch and we did. Made several big long loops that did get us close to elk a couple times because we made sure the wind was right. However, it amazed me how much the wind changes in 10 steps, but going the long way in and watching the wind had us in within 80 yards each way of two bulls with us in the middle instigating. That was awesome, but someone following the bugles didn't watch the wind and sent everything over the ridge.
4. To repeat Big Fin, get away from the roads. Everytime we were within a mile and a half of the truck we were calling to other hunters. Met some good people this way but every time we got 3 miles and out we were in elk.
5. Put the miles in. We did that each day and we saw elk everyday. We never took a shot but for a couple first timers we were just excited to see elk everyday.
6. I was the only one to go full draw on the trip but the cows we called in stopped frontal at 38 yards. I never liked the shot she gave me and I have no regrets on not pushing a shot. Looking back now I have just as much satisfaction in knowing I was that close to notching a tag but choosing to not pushing the limits of reality for good shot on an animal. It does however have a pretty good fire stoked to get back next year and get the job done.
7. Get out and do it! We already have the same OTC tags bought for next year. I can say for myself I caught the bug for Western hunting. There is something surreal about being in an environment where you are not the one in charge. It's humbling and rewarding in every way. I don't have a good excuse of why I haven't done this before.
I hope this helps some guys going out for the first time this year and also I hope everyone chips in with all the things I missed.
