How not to hunt elk.

[Jhg]

2 choices to force you to really take a stance. Please elaborate and/or add to the list.

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[Swede]

Based on your picture I would advise getting a hunting partner that more really into hunting. Sleeping by the wood stove does not show much enthusiasm. Your pot licking buddy looks like a late sleeper for sure.

I believe in hunting every day. That includes going out early and staying long hours, but I agree that sometimes it is good to come in early, like when it is raining hard and I am caught by surprise with a heavy rain.

I am reading Swede's book for the first time since it was put into print. I read and reread it so many times before it was published, that it has taken me this long to open it up to read. It is ok to read if you are on a stand, but is better to read in your easy chair. I would read or reread Elknut's book shortly before my hunt so I would not need to be fumbling with it when I heard a bull bugling.

[Jhg]

Yeah, Piper likes her woodstove bed. Actually, any bed thats warm.

But pull out the shotgun and "ta da!" Instant, lets go!!


Piper checking the authenticity of a wallow. Beware copies and fakes! The very best wallows hold a stench certificate.

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[Swede]

Piper is a great looking dog. Apparently, she is not a lazy pooch, but uses her time wisely to restore her energy so she is ready for her next hunting assignment.

[Jhg]

We got lucky. My (then 12 year old) step-daughter picked her out after doing a thorough 1/2 day assessment of all the pups.

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[Lefty]

I quit hunting in the rain, Always a good time to make a nice lunch, take a nap, read a back issue of Bugle, pull out the playbook and confirm what I' m doing wrong, Review Swedes book and make spelling corrections, heck I might even drive an hour or so for a burger

[>>>---WW---->]

We got lucky. My (then 12 year old) step-daughter picked her out after doing a thorough 1/2 day assessment of all the pups.

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Love that picture. Piper is a great looking pointer.

[Swede]

Lefty thought my book was written in Egyptian Hieroglyphics until I showed him that he had it upside down. There is a good reason he taught shop class and not English.

[Lefty]

Lefty thought my book was written in Egyptian Hieroglyphics until I showed him that he had it upside down. There is a good reason he taught shop class and not English.

I couldn't figure out why Swede put the pictures in upside down!!

[Jhg]

Well, if its a picture book, I want one.

[WapitiTalk1]

I quit hunting in the rain, Always a good time to make a nice lunch, take a nap, read a back issue of Bugle, pull out the playbook and confirm what I' m doing wrong, Review Swedes book and make spelling corrections, heck I might even drive an hour or so for a burger

No hunting in the rain? You’re missing some quality time at the chase mister

[>>>---WW---->]

I agree with RJ. Some of my best hunts have been on rainy days. Then again, some of my most miserable hunts have been on rainy days. So, I suppose the best advice I can give is, if you want an elk you have to get out there and just hunt!

[Swede]

Certainly the elk don't all go into a cave or something when it rains. The question is how prepared are you to be out in it and haw desperate are you for an elk? If I went out thinking rain. I will stay out. If it comes in on me and I am not prepared I usually go in. Tomorrow or even later is a good time to look for those miserable critters.

[Jhg]

I will stay out IF: I have the hat which keeps the water from dripping down my neck. That I hate and will not put up with. Otherwise, I am ok with being out.
Other hunters are back in camp, its super stealth, animals (especially bears) don't expect you out there and in general its a great time to cover a lot of ground without alerting any elk. Scents are muffled, sounds are nil.
And camp, well, camp will be warm and dry.

[7mmfan]

The biggest factor I can think of that causes more elk to be killed is staying in the field ALL DAY. Pack a lunch and just stay put. Elk and deer move around a lot during the day, you just have to be there to catch them. Once I started packing a lunch and staying out all day I started killing more animals.

[Jhg]

I have seen some big bulls middle day.

[Lefty]

,,,,,Then again, some of my most miserable hunts have been on rainy days.


if you want an elk you have to get out there and just hunt!

There is rain and there is rain,, I dont like to be wet and cold Working construction one winter in Washington took some of the fun out of rain.

I do get out there I just keep changing my rules why Im not pulling the trigger. My wife hasn't tired of me hunting 65 of the last 90 days ,, so I keep getting out there