Confidence

[Elkhunttoo]

Over the last three elk seasons i have spent the majority of my time in tree stands. We (my group) have been able to take one mule deer buck, one bear and one 6 point bull. We have passed up a few cows, several does, and one small bull.

Every year i have less and less desire to chase elk at all. When im walking around i just feel no confidence at all. I try and think of all of the close calls ive had on the ground. I think of shots that i have gotten while chasing elk. And no matter what i just feel i am wasting time. Even though i have had success calling elk in i just feel like it is a waste of my time now after experiencing time in my stand. The more hours i sit in my stand the more confidence i gain.

I hear the argument of people talking about how calling elk is more exciting. I use to be on that side of the coin. Now im on the other side. I love the fact that nothing knows that im there. Elk and deer are moving around me and nothing knows i am in the area. Nature is just at its normal and i am witnessing it from my stand. When i have elk bugling around me in my stand i have more confidence in my stand location then i do trying to call to that bull. Dont get me wrong i love the challenge of calling in elk. But my confidence level is just off the charts in my stand compared to being on the ground.

As far as exciting, i watched a young mule deer buck for about 30 minutes play and graze as the sun came up, we had mule deer by our stands almost every morning. I scared a young bear so bad this year that i doubt he will ever walk back into that saddle again for the rest of his life. I'm pretty sure he thinks the tree i was in is haunted. I mention in another thread that i was able to shoot a bull this year that came into my stand. I had no idea that any elk were in the area that morning. No sounds of anything until about 10:30 am when a tank sounding bull bugled about 200 yards above me. The second i heard the bugle i felt i was going to get a shot at that bull that afternoon when he would make his way into the water i was sitting. He bugled a few more times in the morning. Then at 4 pm i heard a couple of branches brake followed by a deep bugle. The bull bugled 4-5 more times over the next hour as the herd made its way down to the water. The excitement of being in the tree next to bugling elk or on the ground seemed no different to me. One of the cows went about 8 yards from me. i have Enjoyed every minute that i have had elk by me when i am in my stand just like being on the ground. The only difference i have noticed is the confidence that i have from my stand.

[Tigger]

Swede? Is that you?

[Elkhunttoo]

Busted me

after the last few seasons im glad swede has directed me in the right direction. My uncles have been hunting elk out of tree stands since the the late 80's early 90's. There success has been really good for years. With their success and swede's promptings i have found myself in a tree and plan to hunt the next several seasons in one.

[Swede]

I would like to take credit for what Elkhunttoo wrote, but al I can say is "Amen".