Intimidated

[Swede]

I have to admit that after all of the years I have elk hunted, I am always apprehensive about the upcoming season. I started off following my dad around in the woods, when I was too young to be concerned let alone intimidated about anything hunting. After all I was with my dad and nothing was impossible. Since that time I have come to realize there are probably a zillion reasons I could come home empty handed. To be honest with you, I don't like coming back without an elk. Even a good deer does little to assuage the disappointment.
In the past there was always something new the elk taught me. They sure had a way of educating me and showing how easy they could allude my bullet or arrow. Over the years I caught on some and found it somewhat easier to fill my elk tag. Elk hunting became less intimidating. I found some shortcuts that cut out some of the worst parts. I have even came to the point that I realize some truisms are not true.
This year I am strongly entertaining the idea of going to a new hunting area. A new area means I will need to scout it. Then I will experience it to see what the hunting pressure is like and where the elk will be when I get there. I admit I am a little nervous about this hunting season.
How are you wired? Do you care? Are you nervous or not? If you have doubts, what are they?

[twinkieman]

I would have to say anxious, that would be the one word I would use to describe how I'm wired. Not that I'm counting the days or anything, but we leave EXACTLY 3 months from today! It's going to be an awesome Elktember

[saddlesore]

I have hunted new areas and usually have had outstanding success.However,I enjoy going back to the familiar ones better. About ten years ago,I got so I really didn't need to shoot another elk in my lifetime, but I sure enjoy getting out. Funny thing though, in those ten years,elk seem to come easier. So I go with the attitude that I won't get and elk and don't need to,but one always comes home with me. I really feel sorry for the guys I see at the end of the season that are really feeling down because they didn't punch their tag.

[Lefty]

I have no problem moving areas,
When I trapped, going to new regions or different states was always "fun' and part of the challenge.. Same with big game hunting.
I Only bought 7 rifle elk tags over 15 years. Two, in Montana Same area: Three in Washington, The Blues. St Helen's, and Yakima: One Utah and one in Idaho.
As a resident archery hunters of 8 years This will be the third area

If I make it as an old timer I have "new" waterholes in the desert I would archery or crossbow hunt.
I find it all part of the excitement of the hut!!!!

[Elkduds]

Finding new areas is my favorite part of hunting. Like Saddle said, I don't need to shoot more elk. But there are places I've heard of through the grapevine, spots I've seen on maps, legendary areas everyone seems to know. It can be as small a spot as a perfect circle of aspens around a pond or wallow, or as big as the Flattops. If it is obscure, mythic or enchanted, so much the better. I'm going, before the day comes when I can't get there.

[Heartwood]

I tend to get nervous about all the little things that need to be done as the season approaches. Especially the chores at home that need done and squared away so that hopefully, operations will run smoothly while I'm hunting. Same scenario with work, get things lined out for smooth sailing while I'm away. I'm very fortunate to have a wife that is supportive of my hobby but she expects me to prepare for the season. I am usually able to be in the field for 20 days each Elktember so my prospects for multiple opportunities to harvest are fairly high. As far as the actual hunting, our crew has hunted mostly the same general areas for many seasons and we have probably two dozen spots that we can hit up for elk. We hunted a new area a few years ago and had fair success with only map and google earth scouting. We have studied Elknut's system extensively and believe in it 100 percent. We require others that hunt with us to have at least a basic understanding of tactics that we use.

[JKaboom]

I am intimidated for sure. I have not hunted elk only whitetail deer in Michigan. I have lived in Colorado for 25 years and have looked at the prospect of trying elk hunting as a very huge task especially once the harvest is made so I have not done it yet. Then looking at the cost of a guided hunt or drop camp is pretty spendy as well. Last, trying to get in on an elk camp is pretty difficult because usually people do not want a newbie. I can appreciate this as I fish Colorado a lot but also enjoy teaching people to fish.

I was able to get in on an elk camp this coming season and I am studying and preparing the best I can. These guys I am going with have been doing it forever and I feel pretty inadequate. The attitude I have though is to prepare the best I can and when I go - to go with the mindset of learning from experienced guys who want to help a newbie out. The whole prospect is daunting to say the least but I am very exited and optimistic.

[Ryan Conkle]

Very anxious and to be honest...sometimes a bit nervous and stressed, while being overly excited at all the same time. Although, the stress is a positive type of stress that continues' to drive me to be as prepared in all aspects' as possible, what a mixed bag of emotions' that we elk hunters' choose to endure! lol Less than 3 months' and counting!

[wunder6]

For me it's a feeling of failure. Not on my part but from people back home making comments like, you drive 25 hrs each way for the last 3 years and haven't killed an elk yet. This is always coming from people who have never even tried anything but white tail hunting here at home. I say to them, you have been hunting same 80 acres every year for the past20 years and don't shoot a buck every year what's your problem? They don't understand that it's more than coming home with an animal, it's the excited about being out there in this huge country just having the chance at potentially killing one is good enough for me. It just wears on me hearing from people that have never even tried. Just my thoughts though

[ElkNut1]

Picking a new area certainly can present its own set of challenges! Not a huge deal though for an elk killer like you! (grin) Scout out your desired area a day or two, you'll find something of interest as you know the type of terrain elk seek out! If not having much success simply hit your area around Sept 10th & on, drive a road or two 1-1/2 hour all the way to daylight & bugle every mile. Avoid others camps. After a day or two you will find bulls that you will hear from the road. Those bulls are in their night time feeding & watering areas. Get up in that country & find their trails of use & where they lead to, this will quickly get you into where elk are at present & you will find a great treestand spot for sure & be ready for them the next morning as they leave feeding heading to bedding once again! Locate several areas like this & you will be into elk!

ElkNut1

[Swede]

Wunder6 hit on a problem I feel. People back home, especially at church let me know they expect me to always get an elk, but that is not all. My wife starts cleaning out the freezer, and gives away the remainder of our meat when she sees the tail lights of the trailer go out of sight, as I head out for hunting camp. I have people that come with me to hunt. They expect a good hunt with meat in the cooler when they go home. They wouldn't say anything and they know hunting, but I feel the pressure.

[stringunner]

I'm feeling intimidated by the fact that Swede maynot be with me in camp this year. That's far more intimidating than branching out to a new area.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Not too intimidated here! I just don't have many bad hunts, often hunting low success rare areas and still taking animals and usually lots of them. Arrowing 15 to 20 animals a year breeds confidene even if the game is not elk. I just enjoy the process of preparing myself physically and mentally plus putting together the best equipment for the job. I work at it almost every day, 356 days a year. O don't waste a lot of time on stuff that doesn't matter.

It will be a surprise if I come home empty handed but if I do it will not bother me much. I do things the hard way because I want failure to be part of the equation. I don't care for guaranteed hunts.

[Tigger]

anxious and excited sure. Intimidated? I don't think so in the sense you are talking. I get a slight bit of intimidation when I first start thinking about all the work I have to do to internet scout an area. Pressure? The only pressure I feel is to hunt hard, smart and enjoy myself. If I can accomplish those things, my hunt is a success. We hunt as a team so regardless who shoots the elk, an elk harvest is just the icing!