The 6 P's as it relates to your elk season this year.

[WapitiTalk1]

In the Army we used to say "Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance". What did you not do so well prior to this year's season that you'll do better before you step into the elk woods next year? Improper conditioning? Not practicing your elk sounds/calling enough? Forgot some key pieces of gear? Didn't ensure the home front was squared away before you left? Chose a poor hunting partner? Chose a poor time to plan your vacation in relation to the rut? Let's hear em. RJ

[Lefty]

Condition myself to use my range finder on every shot
I plan to hunt a unit closer to home so I can get some evening hunts in during the week or a local field for deer

I missed out on sage grouse , could have been fun to arrow some small game.

[Lefty]

I also need to take some personel days to hunt,.. if I still have a job

[dotman]

To stop hunting country that has a higher number of predators then prey.

[one_elk]

not patient enough, when will I learn????

[ferris bugler]

Next year I will spend time in the summer finding new spots to hunt and I will be ready to hunt the first weekend. This year I was a little lazy about getting into the season, and then the first few days were the most best days I hunted as far as being around vocal elk.

[slim9300]

I will be shooting my bow every day for the last two months before the season. I was shooting like a mad man all spring and early summer but as the summer moved on I became consumed with calling, dialing in my other gear, and working out carrying my pack. I probably shot my bow 4 times in August. And because of that I missed more shots this year than any year I can remember. I actually made some mistakes when it came to shooting that I haven't done since I was a new bowhunter. It was very frustrating and won't happen again.

[LckyTylr]

I will have a backup hunting area and a backup to my backup. After 5 years of searching and spending a LOT of gas money and time away from my family, i FINALLY found my honey hole. I helped me buddy get his first bull on opening weekend, and then a lightning storm wiped out my honey hole and the USFS wouldn't let me anywhere near it. I didn't have a backup plan and spent the entire archery season trying to find more elk. All I found were other displaced hunters. I FINALLY located elk last weekend, lots of them, but they are in a different unit and my tag is done. Tag Soup AGAIN this year for elk.

I killed a small 4 point mulie just to fill the freezer and to make myself feel like I can actually "get 'er done".

[Magic]

Cut my toenails before I go hunting. During the second day of my day I did some serious downhilling and some serious toe jamming.

[Magic]

One item that I DID do this year that really paid off was to "camel up" each morning before leaving camp. I chug-a-lugged at least one bottle of water. Sure, I had to pee soon after we hit the trail, but the extra hydration really helped this flatlander, plus it allowed me to carry a bit less water for the day.

[slim9300]

Cut my toenails before I go hunting. During the second day of my day I did some serious downhilling and some serious toe jamming.

You really need new boots. What kind do you have now?

[pointysticks]

dude..this thread was perfectly fine without pics. seriously.

that right big toe nail really seemed like an afterthought.. google backpacker magazines article on cool ways to lace up boots to move pressure points around. some nice tricks to secure boots to feet.

[Magic]

If anyone learns from another's mistakes, then the purpose was served.

New Danner boots that I had worn a considerable amount of time working and sawing logs. I put thicker socks on and yes, did not properly lace them. Not trimming the toenails was the main mistake. Something so simple.

[pointysticks]

If anyone learns from another's mistakes, then the purpose was served.

New Danner boots that I had worn a considerable amount of time working and sawing logs. I put thicker socks on and yes, did not properly lace them. Not trimming the toenails was the main mistake. Something so simple.

true!! yea..cutting nails AFTER the damage is done is a flinchy, cussing, painful affair.

there is a cool twist in the lace you can do right at the bottom of you ankle to help keep your foot sliding forward to a minimum..but i agree, clip them nails early.

[ElkNut1]

Agreed, toe nail clipping should not be taken lightly! It can make ones suffer through their hunts!

ElkNut1

[Magic]

My daughter was telling me today about a friend of hers that played in a tennis tournament with "too long" toenails. Yup, lost the nails on both of her big toes.

I'm sure that I will loose a couple of mine. BTW, I used different boots, thinner socks, and after a painful trimming job,I was able to get-r-done.

[WapitiTalk1]

My daughter was telling me today about a friend of hers that played in a tennis tournament with "too long" toenails. Yup, lost the nails on both of her big toes.

Yikes.... There's a lesson to us old guys for sure.

[Magic]

there is a cool twist in the lace you can do right at the bottom of you ankle to help keep your foot sliding forward to a minimum...

If you know something that could benefit others, how about illustrating and sharing. Pictures would help.

[pointysticks]

marathon_knot.jpg (19.42 KiB) Viewed 5724 times

here magic.

this pushed your heel into the boot.

[Magic]

Thank you for the picture. That is the way I do it. Few folks know what those "extra" holes in the shoe top are for. I actually saw it demonstrated in a forestry video for us sawmillers.

[pointysticks]

opps..here are the rest of the methods. forget a link to the article.

http://www.backpacker.com/gear/5245