Improvement! Where's it needed?

[ElkNut1]

What part of your Elk Hunt & Plans needs the most improvement? It could be your calling, ambushing tactics, playing the wind, gear, shooting accuracy, physical conditioning, attitude towards the hunt, attitude towards hunting partners in your group, etc. It seems we can all improve on something to help up our odds on next years elk hunts? Let's hear them!

ElkNut1

[JGH]

Since moving to WY a few years ago, and thus being able to hunt elk annually, I've worked on a lot of these things.

Learn to find elk. Check.
Learn to call elk. Check.
Amass enough camping stuff. Check.
Physical conditioning. Check.

What's left to work on?

Poise at the shot. Although I've shot plenty of animals with arrows and bullets, one thing that elk hunting has done has been to decrease the frequency that I actually pull the trigger. Bull fever must be vanquished this year. To that end, I'm going to put some pronghorn does and a buck in the freezer in August ... calm the nerves. And I'm going to shoot a lot more in field positions. I've got no excuses as I can shoot all I want out to extreme distance right out my back door.

Also, I need to work on what I call Patient Aggression. I got more aggressive than ever this year with calling, but too aggressive with my feet -- and every time I was busted it was because I was trying to set up too close. I need to learn the balance between letting things develop and making things happen -- like a running back waiting for his blockers to open a hole before he explodes through it.

If I was a running back, my coach would have fits ... "Let the hole develop before you go though!"

[bnsafe]

I need to continue to work an grow on what ive learned here the last couple years. I think in some ways next year will be tougher on me for a couple reasons.
first, one kill could be a fluke accident, but if I can get it done again it means im a real elk hunter (at least in my mind).
second, I think its gonna be harder for me to push it to the next level instead of taking it easier now that I have accomplished my goal of getting an elk.
third, im targeting mulies next year. hopefully I will get on early an get back to the elk.

[Mojostylee24]

I am going to steal the top two items of of JGH's checklist for myself.

I need to learn to find elk.
I spent way too much time over the last two seasons hiking to areas that I thought were "elky" only to find that there is either no sign or very old sign. I stayed in theses areas too long, my reluctance to move to diferent areas is what I believe is really keeping me from regularly seeing elk.

I need to learn to call elk.
I learned this year that sometimes when people say: " You don't need to worry about calling...I can call just fine, you'll see." They really mean: " I'm just gonna squeeze this Hoochie-whatever a few times about every 100ft that we hike." Seriously though, I need to learn to call for myself. What good will it be to find elk if I can't get in close to seal the deal.

I'm sure every off-season will be one to work on something in our elk game. These are what I am focusing on in the next 8 or so months.

[MTLongdraw]

For me its calling and finding good hunting areas with elk in them. Also could probably use some help in the not getting so frustrated department and taking the hunt home with me.

[Swede]

I am looking for a water hole with wallow, in a secluded area, where the BIG bulls come to drink and wallow every day. This place, no one else ever knows about, is just 1/2 mile slightly up hill from where I park my truck. It is nestled in a grove of small saw timber Douglas-fir trees for good cover. Maybe the Lord has a place like that where He will take me someday. I do not know just what I need to do to improve my game, but am always keeping my eyes and ears open.

[elkaholic]

Over this next year I will work to improve on my distance judging and composure "in the moment". Rangefinders are great but I found out the hard way this year what happens when I am too dependent on them. Continuing to work on finding areas that hold elk is an ongoing task. I like to have a backup to my backup spots.

[ORelksniper]

My shooting. No matter how well I shoot I'm never satisfied. (Obviously a personality disorder)

Apparently, the number one area for improvement with me is finding elk. This season proved that I don't know jack about locating ole stinky and the girls once they've left an area. Bugling/calling doesn't seem to work so I'm left with ground pounding. Sometimes I think I have a better chance finding Sasquatch.

[Swede]

Sniper: Never mind looking for Sasquatch. He went to the ranch too. Maybe we should look together for that great watering hole. LOL

[BrentLaBere]

Conditioning. Building muscle and lung capacity for the mountains. Always a must for a flat lander.
Calling. A lot of areas to improve on with calling and understanding it.
Taking care of my bow in the back country. I believe this is part of the reason I miss hit my elk this season.
Attitude. Stay positive and push harder through adversity. DO NOT go back to the trail head until the hunt is over. Stay with original back up plans, which in my case meant to stay back in the sticks longer.

[WapitiTalk1]

For me, it's kind of like golf. If I could just get my driving down, fairway woods, iron play, sand shots, pitching, chipping, and putting on line, I'll be there

Seriously, probably my patience level. I'm oftentimes a bit too anxious to leave the spot I'm hunting (although there are elk there) in favor of another spot down the trail or over a few ridges. Also, I'm beginning to believe that there are other ways to hunt elk beside the run and gun (calling) method I'm looking forward to throwing a tree stand into the mix in 2014. It'll be my first attempt using the death from above method. Hah! Will really have to work on my patience then

[Broken arrow]

Conditioning and calling.
As a flatlander conditioning is always an area for improvement.
As far as calling it's much easier to sit at home or in the truck and feel pretty good about your skill level. Now add altitude steep terrain sucking air adrenaline and my skill level dropped a lot!!!

[cnelk]

More tree stand placements.
This requires a lot more scouting and wind research

[Swede]

Hey Brad: Remember, It only takes one.

[Indian Summer]

I just need a solid partner. My brother and all my Montana friends work weekdays and only hunt Saturdays and maybe half of Sunday. Makes for a boring week and no help packing if I kill a bull on weekdays.

I really don't need new spots, new gear, or anything else. Just a dependable hunter who is persistent & a positive thinker.

Had 3 friends in the Bitterroot kill bulls this week all in places I showed them. Meanwhile I didn't even buy a license there this year because of a lack of commitment by those guys. Oh well...... maybe one day I'll find one here.

In my opinion, next to having a great spot to yourself with plenty of elk, a good partner is the most valuable asset.

[easeup]

this old flatlander cant be very good at any of the categories. It is just the facts of living so very far from great elk country.
I am all ears to all of the improvement discussion presented on this forum.
One thing that hit me heads up this past hunt for the first time was...you were as good once as you ever were', back then.
Age and honest hard work has taken its toll. If elknut1 has a easy cure, I will buy!

Maybe I need to learn the art of the treestand also!!!

[Trophyhill]

I need help in all areas although one sticks out. discipline. I start out targeting herd bulls but when an elk, any elk presents me with an opportunity i'm all over it like meat bees on an elk carcass in southern CO.

[elkmtngear]

Seems that almost every spot in my regular area is getting too popular. Since I am unable to make a scouting trip, I need to be more effective at remotely reading the surrounding terrain.

I need to find some new honey holes in my area that are removed from "regular traffic"! My hope is, if I can locate those "elky" areas on Google Earth, the number of elk per acre will increase due to less pressure.

[Swede]

I have had the same dilemma that Trophyhill has described. I have always wanted a herd bull, but when any mature bull, and often a good cow would come in, it was shot. Well this year I held out, then went home without an elk. I think it may be better to go with the adage "if it is brown it is down". One of my hunting friends attributed that saying to me, and even though I have never shot a calf, I have enjoyed a lot of good elk steaks.

[cnelk]

Hey Brad: Remember, It only takes one.

Very true... but WHICH ONE????

[Swede]

LOL I don't know which one, Brad. I'm still looking too. If I find it, I will send you the coordinates along with that red cap we discussed earlier.

[twinkieman]

1. Learn how to make bulls become more vocal, when they just aren't talking.
2.Try to become less selective, and settle for a raghorn
3. Conditioning For the first time in my life at 54 years young, I now have to work at being mountain ready.
4. Continue to learn in the off season

[dreamhunter]

I would say that after this years hunt ,it would be composure. I spent an hr calling my bull off the mountain only to have him come in like a Kansas tornado ( in my face like right now and not ready ). I was patient enough to wait on him to make his move to the water hole and then I took my shot. I was way to nervous and shaky. It was however my very first time shooing at at elk.
I think another thing I should work on is learning how to read and navigate with a compass. My buddies went off into a hellhole looking for a hit bull right before dark.Well the weather changed on them,serious thunderstorms,hail and then sleet and snow.It was so bad that they lost gps signal and could only see 8-10' in front of them and they were 2 miles from the atvs and 10:00PM was the time.They said they had to use their compass.I want to know if I ever need to use mine, I will know how.It does no good in my pak if I can't use it effectively .They never did find it and it was 1:30 AM before they went past my camp.

[Swede]

Dreamhunter: Make learning how to navigate on land a top priority. There are three things that come to mind when I think of having confidence in your navigation skills. 1. You will be able to enjoy the hunt more. You are not worried about getting lost. 2. You can hunt longer, because you know where your ATV, camp, or hunting pardner is. The third reason may be obvious, but I will say it anyway. It could save your life. Don't leave that up to anyone else. We do not control everything that happens in the forest. Don't become a victim.
It is a common misconception that some people have a sixth sense about direction. Ain't so. Some people keep good track of where they are, but as you are aware, when the snow starts and your visibility is limited, you need to know where you are and how to read a map and compass. It is more important than how to kill a monster bull. All the best to you.

[Willie makit]

The tag drawing department.

[BrentLaBere]

Swede,
I like what you had to say about learning to navigate the land. After 13 days (11 hunting and 2 scouting) of a new area this year I was able to do just what you said. Get from point A to point B in a timely manner while using the wind and saving energy. It came with hard work and exploring but once I became familiar with creek beds, game trails/horse trails to use to my advantage it seemed easy to hunt during the day. I also really like what you said about direction. I am known for this when I hunt with people because I am obsessed with knowing which way is North at ALL times. I think it starts by looking at maps. Knowing which direction the last town is and how you entered your said hunting area. It just goes on from there. But something that is very beneficial to anyone spending time in the outdoors. Great point!

[dreamhunter]

lol

[dreamhunter]

That was for Willie makeit

[elkoholic]

For me there is always room for improvement in every department, conditioning, shooting, calling, communicating. Just always trying to push the envelope... But my main focus is going to try to better understand the elk language and what the elk are telling me.

[Willie makit]

Dreamhunter, shame on you,
It aint funny ..................


Ok, maybe after crying a little, all you can do is
Happy Turkey Day to all

[dreamhunter]

Thanks Willie,I just got home from a great day at my In-Laws and I am stuffed to the right amount.But anyways,you made me chuckle,thanks.

[ishy]

#1 for me is just finding elk. North Idaho is as thick as anywhere, and where I hunt is getting more wolves by the day. The last few seasons seem to be getting quieter each year, so locating animals is a top priority. I tend to beat brush too much, even in our jungles I need to pull out the glasses more.

[Still Hunter]

I'm still working on getting younger. So far, it's not working.

[ORelksniper]

Still Hunter, if you figure that one out be sure and post up the instructions for all us senior elknuters.

[Still Hunter]

The best I can do is keep my mind young, but the body has a mind of it's own.

[G Posik]

The areas I need to work on are:
1. Find more elk- I get into areas where elk have been. Sign might not be fresh and I want to stay there and look more. I tend to spend way to much time in an area where elk have left. I just do not want to give up on an area to fast. I find areas that are "Elky" just Jo elk there.

2. Conditioning- no matter how good if condition I am in there is always room for improvement. When I can run up hill and catch an elk then I will be where I want to be conditioning wise.

3. Shoot better- shooting a longbow you have good days, great days and bad days. So this will never be where I want it to be. That is why I love shooting trad bows. Hey it is a stick and string!

Glenn

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

Does anyone know how to turn back the pages of time about 40 years? That's the biggest improvement I can think of.

[Still Hunter]

2. Conditioning- no matter how good if condition I am in there is always room for improvement. When I can run up hill and catch an elk then I will be where I want to be conditioning wise.
Glenn

I agree on getting in as good a condition as you can. However, you will never stay with an elk going uphill.

[G Posik]

2. Conditioning- no matter how good if condition I am in there is always room for improvement. When I can run up hill and catch an elk then I will be where I want to be conditioning wise.
Glenn

I agree on getting in as good a condition as you can. However, you will never stay with an elk going uphill.

Maybe not but I will always train like I will one day. Besides you never know I might run into the one lazy elk that I can catch!

Glenn

[WindedBowhunter]

For Elk - Being better at locating the elk when they go silent, especially in heavy timber where you can not sit and spot for them.

For Muley, I need to place better land marks for when I put on a stalk solo. Things always look different from the other side of the bowl!

[Heartwood]

A. Stalking skills
B. Hunt elk in a more aggressive way. I' m seeing the benefits now, still need to force myself to act aggressively in the right situations.
C. Shot execution and allowing the situation to develope into a shot opportunity.

[twinkieman]

Amen on the shot execution Matt

[pointysticks]

geography.

i would love to live closer to elk. you guys that just run down the street to your secret spots..you have me colored a deep deep shade of green envy.

i think the odds go up, if you get to scout all the time.

[pointysticks]

opps

[rowdycwby1]

I've learned a bunch on here and the things I need to improve most are
1 MY calling and when to use it and not to
2 conditionin
3 slow down and more patience

[WindedBowhunter]

geography.

i would love to live closer to elk. you guys that just run down the street to your secret spots..you have me colored a deep deep shade of green envy.

i think the odds go up, if you get to scout all the time.

I'll second learning how to read the geography better from 2k miles away!