Solo Elk hunting

[Westelker - W. Colorado]

I'm a little confused by this one, and maybe it is the comma. Are you saying don't quit or don't move camp because you have doubts?

i am curious on solo set-ups, but have never found good ones. Some suggest sitting water, which can be productive. Others say "project your call behind you" which seems more wishful than it is effective. If I call, I like to immediately move 30yds (downwind preferably). I have been busted a few times trying to do this, so somewhere in the process my timing is off.

After a few days hunting and being alone, I just meant to stick it out and don't quit. If the area has elk don't pack up camp and go home to mommy. With all the time and money invested it's time to put the big boy pants on do what you planned in advance to do. Hunt hard and but hunt smart.

If your comment re. sitting by water meant setting in a natural blind near water/meadow in my opinion one of my favorite methods to hunt cows or bulls. On solo hunts I just call from the blind toward the meadow/dark timber. I like to set my decoy slightly to the side and 30 - 40 feet behind the blind. Ultimately, it's nice to have a caller hidden behind somewhere near the blind. This method take patience and persistence.

 

[Aaronf257]

Shooting an elk too far from the road solo. I've had to call in backup a couple times. Other than that, I love hunting solo.

We shot my dads bull about 100 yards from the road, we had a few people with us but still got lucky with how close we were!

 

[Eazy890]

Good boots and a good pack. I learned that the hard way

 

[bucksnbirds]

Did 17 days solo last year and ended up successful. My biggest piece of advice, anytime you make a call, move up atleast 15-30yds and don't call while closing the distance if you're sure the direction of travel. Just get in his bubble, call until you can get him moving your way, move up in front of cover and don't make another sound.

 

[Hunter13-0]

I'll let ya know, I'm heading up tomorrow for a week solo. Hopefully I get into them

 

[Khunter]

I'll let ya know, I'm heading up tomorrow for a week solo. Hopefully I get into them

Ditto! headed out.

 

[FreeAir84]

I'd concur with the mental piece. Usually, I have to drive through the discouragement that can come if you're not finding them. When I've been successful, it's usually because I've stuck with it and kept grinding!

 

[ForkieShooter]

I need some solo advice - seemed silly to start a new thread for it: do you seasoned elk slayers have any hot tips on getting close to cows? I’m trying to fill the freezer this year and am not picky. I’ve found a small group of about four cows that seem to have broken off from a larger herd. No bulls around yet to my knowledge. I’d like to get an arrow in one of them.

 

[cgasner1]

I need some solo advice - seemed silly to start a new thread for it: do you seasoned elk slayers have any hot tips on getting close to cows? I’m trying to fill the freezer this year and am not picky. I’ve found a small group of about four cows that seem to have broken off from a larger herd. No bulls around yet to my knowledge. I’d like to get an arrow in one of them.

I’d probably shoot for the ambush method on that one. Honestly quite a bit I find myself hunting cows if you will. I’ll try to place myself inside of bow range of the cows knowing the bull will come to check on them all I have to do is wait

 

[ForkieShooter]

I’d probably shoot for the ambush method on that one. Honestly quite a bit I find myself hunting cows if you will. I’ll try to place myself inside of bow range of the cows knowing the bull will come to check on them all I have to do is wait

How long are you able to hang with the cows with them tolerating your presence? I feel like those ladies are always suspect of their surroundings. Are you mostly just keeping still and concealed and hoping the wind doesn’t switch?

 

[cgasner1]

How long are you able to hang with the cows with them tolerating your presence? I feel like those ladies are always suspect of their surroundings. Are you mostly just keeping still and concealed and hoping the wind doesn’t switch?

Really it’s all on the wind when they get up and start feeding you can get away with a lot till the thermals swirl you can fool the eyes and ears you’ll never beat the nose

 

[ForkieShooter]

Really it’s all on the wind when they get up and start feeding you can get away with a lot till the thermals swirl you can fool the eyes and ears you’ll never beat the nose

I’ve only been chasing them with a bow seriously for two seasons now. Really has been fascinating to see what I can get away with as long as the wind is in my favor.

Appreciate you answering my questions!

 

[cgasner1]

I’ve only been chasing them with a bow seriously for two seasons now. Really has been fascinating to see what I can get away with as long as the wind is in my favor.

Appreciate you answering my questions!

They will test you I’ve had them go back to feeding and whip their head back around 2 seconds later to see if I had moved. If they bust you on movement give it time they will settle back down

 

[beartoothhiker]

Cow calling and not being hidden. Different bull than what I was calling at stepped out at 40 yards and spotted me totally wide open.

Exactly what happened to me and a buddy last night. We were hidden looking down the slope, but not behind us where the 3 bulls wandered in looking for that hot cow.