Getting Ready

[Swede]

Even though I have been hunting a loooong time, I am always looking ahead to the next season and planning. For the next season I want to work on some of the tree stand locations I use. I still want to add another trail camera so I can monitor another location. I think I can improve on the access I have to one tree stand also. After thinking about Idahoghost's situation I am reminded I have good reason to scout out a good backup area to hunt. The place I hunt looks move vulnerable to fire than his did. In addition I am always hanging around this forum, trying to pick up a tip or two that I can use on elk. Many of you have added pieces to my knowledge of elk hunting. Sometimes just one good tip can be the difference between elk on the ground, and just another elk encounter. Elk close up is exciting, but a downed bull is infinitely greater, in my opinion.
So, what do you plan to do this off season so you are better prepared for next September?

[mtnmutt]

My homework for Winter and Spring:

Research to find a better area for the last 2 weeks in September. I have been on this quest for 4 years now. As I discovered this year, my early season spot is not good for late September. I need a more solid Plan B area.

Learn to make a calf chirp with a mouth reed, This was my first year of using a mouth reed.

Work on my nervous grunt.

Review Elknut's DVDs.

Learn to do a location bugle for the first time. I thought I could not hear them bugle because of my hearing loss. This season, I could hear them within 150 yards, so I am willing to give it try and hope that I can hear them bugle back to me next September.

Make an elk and mule deer hat - Thank you Jaquomo and Jaquomo's wife for the instructions.

Replace or repair damaged items.

1-2 more trail cams purchased and pick their locations.

Take a llama workshop. I am toying with an idea of a backcountry hunt with llamas.

Practice using a spotting scope. I will do this now while I am researching eastern plains deer hunting areas for my deer hunt next November.

Increase my bow from 51/52 DW to its max of 55#.

Maybe train for a race to get ready for scouting and hunting. Otherwise, go up Pikes Peak in early summer. Also, carry a loaded pack once per month to stay in shape.

[JJ Overkill]

getting our bows retuned, not there is much to do to them. retuning with broadheads. looking into new gear for the three of us. planning our next season. Cameron and I will probably burn a point but im going to add lisa to our group and it will drop us back down to 0 points for our draw area.

hey swede what stand do you prefer? lisa has a bad hip and hiking hurts her pretty bad. im looking for a stand that she can hang out for most of the day and read her book

[ishy]

Keep learning, running, hiking, scouting, shooting, and get enough sleep- not in any particular order.

[redtop]

Wolf hunting. Trying to find access to some of the private land in the valley bottom which the elk seem to prefer these days.

[twinkieman]

Keeping tabs on the forum, as I always am learning something useful. Staying in shape, and getting into a routine on my Bowflex. I always work on my calling, and killing lots of coyotes this winter.

[Swede]

Jerinmn: There was only one product I really came out for in the book Tree Stand Hunting Rocky Mountain Elk. I prefer the Millennium M100 tree stand above any other I have purchased or used. I have or have had quite a bunch of stands. I have used several more, but the M100 is by far my favorite. It is easy to hang. You start with just a chain with an attached bracket. The chain with the bracket probably weighs about a pound. You can place that in the tree easily where you want to locate your stand. Then you bring up the stand on a line, and place it in the bracket. It is very easy and safe to set up and take down. The stand is large comfortable and very safe to sit in. I can sit for hours in the stand without fatigue. It is also worth mentioning that it is very quiet.
I have no stock in the company and get no compensation from recommending it. It is just a great product.

[easeup]

It is deer season down here. So I sit in a tripod and think of all the places I would like to hunt.
I also go over the draw odds reports to try to strategize where I have a realistic chance of drawing a tag.

[JJ Overkill]

thanks swede, I checked them out. added to my wish list for sure. I also like the m150. I might have to see if I can find a comparison between the two. looks really nice.

[Swede]

I have never seen or user the M150. The differences I see are two upright posts vs. 0ne on the M150. I assume that effects weight. I also see the M150 cost more than the M100. The M100 has been on sale for a while now. I just purchased another for $200 from Cabelas. From experience I can say having a comfortable quiet stand is money well spent.

[JJ Overkill]

im all sad now! I was going to purchase a m100 but I just found out I have 2 cracked limbs on my omen. ( got pressed wrong) I sent it out to get new strings on it and have checked out. im glade I found out now instead of while im shooting it.

[bnsafe]

planning for a bear an mulie hunt. that would conclude my personal slam