What Needs Improving?

[Swede]

I have been struggling the last few years with fewer and fewer elk encounters. I am usually on my own, and find it is sometimes a limiting factor. I appreciate the gracious offers I have had to hunt with others, but have just not felt inclined yet. I started exploring new areas and some different hunts, but am not satisfied yet. I think scouting this summer will be crucial if I am going forward on high probability hunts.
I am going to butcher using the gutless method. I have been a long time holdout, but packing bone out doesn't make sense anymore.
What do you think you should change to reach the next level, or you could do to improve on what you have going on now?

[stringunner]

For me I need to be willing to look at different spots in my area and not go back to the same spots that have produced in the past. Swede and i's hunting area has changed a lot in the past 8 years I have been there (far more than that for him) yet I continue to hang stands in my favorite spots regardless of whether they are favorite spots for elk. I need a better plan b and plan c. That's hard when you know one area so well. It does change from one year to the next so I continue in the same areas thinking "this year will be good again" but in the past three years it hasn't been so definitely need to look into other areas.

[Lefty]

I will lose 20 lbs, I will be in better shape, I will spend at least 6 days hiking the area I plan to hunt, I also plan to do a bit more shooting with the expectation of bumping my bow to 70 lbs.
I will also have a full back up plan and spike camp gear for the area I hunted this year

[Indian Summer]

I just need to practice shooting further. A couple years ago I shot a cow with a big 5 point bull standing there bugling. She was at 322 yards and we was out at around 500. It was my last day to hunt but I just didn't feel comfortable taking the shot. I have the gun, the scope, the reloaded ammo, and the rest to get it done. I just need to do my homework. I hunt some really open country and this year I'll be on some really open stuff as well as some private ranches. I'd hate to watch a monster walk away because I didn't use my tools to their full potential.

[Brendan]

Almost too much to list for me

I need to continue to improve my calling and need to continue talking with the group here on what to do in certain scenarios. Knowing when to stay put or go slow, and knowing when to move on and cover ground was another one I was torn over.

From a skill perspective, I'm picking up a new bow next week. I want to drop my draw length a little, get my form really dialed in, potentially get some coaching, and practice. My goal is to tighten my current group size an additional 20 yards further out.

[Bow4me]

Stringunner I'm with you. I need to be more versatile and ready to go to plan b or c. My problem has been that I live in Arkansas and set my hunting plan in March. By the time September rolls around and I drive 1000 miles and pack in 10 miles the weather and the elk change the plan. But I only have a week so packing back out and moving to a new location takes precious that I don't have. So in the past I've stuck it out but this year I'm going in to a new location where I can hunt from the truck. I'm still going to bring my mules so I can cover many miles but if the elk aren't there I'll be able to relocate and be hunting again quickly. The plan is to put some boots on the ground this summer and be ready come September.

[ElkNut1]

For me, being a stronger caller. No matter where I hunt calling is the key to our success. I really enjoy mixing up various tones & sounds in both cow chatter & bull sounds with bull sounds being the most intriguing & requiring the creative balance! (grin)

swede, you want to find more elk & have more close encounters then rely on Glassing where possible from elevated scenic areas such as feeding or escape routes & do a lot more Location type bugling to locate elk! You're not trying to call them to you when locating! If getting into fairly quiet elk but you know they are around by their sign then incorporate a light persistent breeding sequence. As days get closer to heavier rutting & more vocalization pick up your volume & intensity of the breeding sequence! Think of the breeding sequence being in different levels of intensity using the needed level as action picks up! These 3 things will up your finding elk & having more close encounters than anything! (grin)

ElkNut1

[Wyo67]

Overall, I'm happy with the opportunities and success we've had archery hunting. Approaching the big 5-0, I always feel the need to lose a few pounds and continue to work on the cardio.

What I really need to improve on is finding the late season cows to help my son get his first!

[Swede]

Thanks Paul for the great tip. It just reminds me that sometimes we really don't know what we are missing or what we need to reach the next level. Anyway thanks.

[saddlesore]

I should probably improve my calling, but I mostly hunt cows in ML season . Later rifle season,cow calls seem to be effective for me.
At my age,just improving the reliability for me getting to go elk hunting every year for the next few years at least is a big priority

Along those lines,here is some unsolicited advice for the younger guys.Even if you are in your early 40's add up the number of elk hunts you have left in your life. You will find it is not all that many. Do all you can to make it happen every year.

It's the pits to sit there in your seventies and look back wishing you had made that hunt instead of a cruise, attending someone's wedding or family reunion,etc. Put yourself first.

[welcher83]

Need to shoot my bow more.

[ishy]

Saddlesore you reminded me of a gentlemen I met at work. It was Feb, and I asked how he was, "wish I was elk huntin!" was his response. He was 95 years young and still at it, and could think of nothing else in Feb. He had passed on a bull at 500 yards due to distance and promptly went to Cabelas as soon as he could and picked up a new 300 so he'll be ready next year! If I could duplicate that...55 more seasons!
Forgot the original question-I need to read an elks location better to be able to be in the zone before touching calls after closing the distance.

[Trophyhill]

Cow calling with a mouth reed and having more control with a mouth reed in general are my #1 areas I need to get better at. And it's my own fault I don't practice like I should. Is it too late to make a resolution?

[mongopino915]

I should probably improve my calling, but I mostly hunt cows in ML season . Later rifle season,cow calls seem to be effective for me.
At my age,just improving the reliability for me getting to go elk hunting every year for the next few years at least is a big priority

Along those lines,here is some unsolicited advice for the younger guys.Even if you are in your early 40's add up the number of elk hunts you have left in your life. You will find it is not all that many. Do all you can to make it happen every year.

It's the pits to sit there in your seventies and look back wishing you had made that hunt instead of a cruise, attending someone's wedding or family reunion,etc. Put yourself first.

Hello Saddlesore, I kind of know what you mean. I am in my mid-40s and already dreading the numbers of years I have left until the engine and frame start to slow down. I have been elk hunting every year since 1983 (back in Junior High) and still look forward to each season with the intent to spend at least 18 - 20 days in elk wood. Hope I am as motivated and active as you at your age.

Back to the topic: Need to better effort to be in elk shape before the season hits.

[82ndreddevil]

For me, better scouting. I need to learn that in the summer months while scouting to not get wrapped around where the elk are at that time but more on where they will be in September. That bit me in the rear end last season!