We can all learn from Swedes mistakes

[Lefty]

Or my "friends" elk hunting mistakes!!!

What are you willing to share of your "friends" mistakes made hunting elk this year.
Definitely my "friends" worst mistakes

All the reeds in my "friends" goose calls are 27 years old, which finally broke down, then replaced this week and bought fresh mylar reeds.

He was given a handful of elk diaphragm calls this past summer , with a few of his left overs from last year.
Opening day he" started with 15 diaphragm calls of all sorts , raised pallet, dome, double reed, high dome split dome split reed, and some real pretty colored ones too.

And yes he knew better,, as a use-to-be a bigger cheapskate than "Swede ". unbelievably frugal with the ability to make things work better than Angus "Mac" MacGyver ever could. His first few weeks "he" kept blowing out the latex on the calls daily and tried to make them work. We believe he may have left his best or only working call on a log.

After begging my wife she check Sportsmans Warehouse and Cabelas, and Walmarts for some fresh calls ,, And Some fellow hunter cleared the shelves of every reed and diaphragm elk call;my go to supplier in Montana was sold all out.

Next year the last week in August Ill be buying fresh calls

That brand new call was only in my mouth the 45 minute stealthy hike in before it killed an elk,,, Hm wonder if the call is still on the branch where I set it when I called my wife I had a dead elk

[Swede]

This looks like it could be an interesting thread if Lefty can get hunters on board. Personally, I would have a hard time imaging an elk hunting mistake I have not made. I will start here by listing two.
1. Poor set up. This applies to calling and tree stand hunting. It even applies to being surprised when a bull came in to check me out and I was not prepared. It is important to call or place your tree stand only where the elk won't see you until it is in a position to be killed. If you are calling you may need to bugle and move a few yards away where the elk won't be looking when you draw your bow. In a tree stand I like to have natural or self-made cover behind me, so I won't be seen when the elk approaches.

2. Moving around or away too soon. Being impatient and thinking it is time to move has been a big bug-a-boo for me. I was busted many times just moving a little or leaving a spot where I thought I had waited long enough. I believe I have learned this lesson well enough but am not perfect either. The difficulty is not knowing if I am wasting my time or should I just settle in. I have it down to a point where I make my decision based on what I believe to be a fair assessment of the place and time. It is not just restlessness and boredom that motivates me to move.

3. I know how to count but I feel compelled to add one more mistake. As a bow hunter I know those final seconds before I shoot are critical. If I do anything wrong, I will not get another chance at the elk in front of me. Everything must be done perfectly. That means not being seen, no noise, and executing the shot perfectly. I don't have a problem with "buck fever". To stay calm and execute the shot well I mentally talk to myself until the arrow is on its deadly flight. Even then I try to watch the where the arrow hits and where the elk goes afterwards.

[RanchoSueno]

1. Calling less. I know I call too much and blindly.

2. Hunt slower and spend more time in prime areas if the wind is in your favor

3. Don't draw when the haughty cow steps behind a tree.. that heifer will stop perfectly where all you can see is liver and guts... and two eyes looking back from the otherside

[Lefty]

I would have a hard time imaging an elk hunting mistake I have not made.

Moving around or away too soon.

My friend has experiences the same mistakes


[quote="RanchoSueno"]
1. Calling less.
[quote="RanchoSueno"]

Single mews, single calf calls, and single locate bugles

[WapitiTalk1]

Patience is not my strong suit. It seems that almost every single year, I move from a calling or ambush site too early, only to be busted by a silent bull

[Lefty]

Patience is not my strong suit. It seems that almost every single year, I move from a calling or ambush site too early, only to be busted by a silent bull

Gotta bust a few every year to relearn that lesson

A few years back I was very much limited in ability to march around . So I force my partner to hang out longer at each location. Stating at the beginning of the season . I called in 11 bulls, while some were the first minutes some were thirty minutes
But thiis dead one,12:00 we started, and hour and 20 minutes when the cows showed up , minutes later the bull showed up to take the cows.

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