Making the switch

[itsnlkthing]

I'm a long time rifle hunter, live in Denver, CO and just made the purchase of a new bow....the journey to the dark side has begun

Paul has loaded me up with a number of goodies (playbook, dvd's and some calls) and I'm learning a great deal from all of your experience. Last year I hunted a completely new area during 2nd rifle and my plan is to hunt this same area during archery season. I was into elk every day (mostly cows, no cow tag) but had 3 encounters with bulls and had bulls bugling all around. I covered a lot of ground trying to learn this new area and marked off key sign and terrain in my GPS. I back packed in about 3 miles and hunted solo. Not my preference but I don't have a hunting partner I can count on right now. I can generally free up for a little over a week.

My questions are 1) what part of the season should I target if I can only hunt 7-9 days? 2)If I end up solo again this year, what is my best approach? I found several high traffic areas, bedding areas, watering areas, wallows and grazing areas. I've thought about setting up a stand to sit the high traffic areas or water but since I back pack in, it would mean an extra trip to transport my climbing stand. 3) If solo, would I be better off with a decoy? 4) Do you make use of game cameras during season, if so, how? My area is too far away to make much use of a camera ahead of season (5 hour drive). Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

[Indian Summer]

Sounds like you've found all the key areas where they go about their business. I think it's just a matter of putting your time in until you figure out where they are under different conditions. No question you have the most important part covered which is location.

I'm learning more about the Colorado seasons here but.... My pick of days is from the 15th on. I hear a lot about the muzzle loader season down there so I'd just make sure I hunted it before those guys rolled in.

You're on the right track.... just be patient and pay attention. If you make a mistake, as we all do, just learn from it and move on. Best of luck to you

[Swede]

itsnlkthing: I think the answer to all of your questions is it depends. Different people have different times of the season that they prefer. I like the early season. The elk are undisturbed, and as a tree stand hunter sitting over water I like hot dry conditions. It makes elk thirsty and they need to frequent water more.
Early season is a good time to call, but the strategy is different than in the rut. Personally I prefer to hunt elk from a tree stand. It is very effective, but you need to scout early and find the best spots to ambush the elk. Some hunters have no desire to sit and wait for game, so they call or spot and stalk. I can agree that tree stand hunting means an extra trip, but you could combine it with your camera monitoring. If you have trail cameras, I am sure you plan to monitor them some, so that can be a good time to bring in your equipment. For me it is another opportunity to be out in the forest.
If you are tree stand hunting do not have any decoys around. If you are solo call hunting, then I would have one. That is explained in the Tree Stand Hunting Rocky Mountain Elk Book. Also By all means keep your cameras up during the season. It is good to know what is happening during the season. I check mine either during down times, at lunch or by going to a different stand on different days.
Unless there is some other reason you can't go out for a couple weekends scouting, I would make the five hour trip. It will pay a huge dividend. I live eight hours from my hunting area. Last year things came up at the last minute, so I did not go out scouting early. I relied on the five days I go out before the season to do my scouting. Last season was the first time since 1999 I did not shoot an elk. By the way 1999 was the last year before 2013 when I did no preseason scouting. Sure there is some coincidence there, but scouting pays.
One other thought: Bow hunting is not the same as rifle hunting. You have to approach it a lot different. Many people have tried to make the switch and failed. Their hunting style did not change enough, and/or they never learned what it takes to make an arrow fly properly. You need to KNOW that when you release that arrow, it will hit where you aim.

[itsnlkthing]

itsnlkthing: I think the answer to all of your questions is it depends. Different people have different times of the season that they prefer. I like the early season. The elk are undisturbed, and as a tree stand hunter sitting over water I like hot dry conditions. It makes elk thirsty and they need to frequent water more.
Early season is a good time to call, but the strategy is different than in the rut. Personally I prefer to hunt elk from a tree stand. It is very effective, but you need to scout early and find the best spots to ambush the elk. Some hunters have no desire to sit and wait for game, so they call or spot and stalk. I can agree that tree stand hunting means an extra trip, but you could combine it with your camera monitoring. If you have trail cameras, I am sure you plan to monitor them some, so that can be a good time to bring in your equipment. For me it is another opportunity to be out in the forest.
If you are tree stand hunting do not have any decoys around. If you are solo call hunting, then I would have one. That is explained in the Tree Stand Hunting Rocky Mountain Elk Book. Also By all means keep your cameras up during the season. It is good to know what is happening during the season. I check mine either during down times, at lunch or by going to a different stand on different days.
Unless there is some other reason you can't go out for a couple weekends scouting, I would make the five hour trip. It will pay a huge dividend. I live eight hours from my hunting area. Last year things came up at the last minute, so I did not go out scouting early. I relied on the five days I go out before the season to do my scouting. Last season was the first time since 1999 I did not shoot an elk. By the way 1999 was the last year before 2013 when I did no preseason scouting. Sure there is some coincidence there, but scouting pays.
One other thought: Bow hunting is not the same as rifle hunting. You have to approach it a lot different. Many people have tried to make the switch and failed. Their hunting style did not change enough, and/or they never learned what it takes to make an arrow fly properly. You need to KNOW that when you release that arrow, it will hit where you aim.

All great advice and I plan to read your book as well...How close to season do you normally try and go for your scouting? I can definitely take a trip for a long weekend ahead of time. Maybe I could carry my stand and a couple of cameras in then, stash it and carry in the cushion later to keep it dry. I'm definitely taking the bow seriously, practicing as much as possible and learning a lot along the way. I picked up a Bowtech Insanity after shooting a lot of different bows and I'm improving all the time. I don't like to do things part way, so there will be a lot of practice and experimenting ahead of time.

[Swede]

itsnlkthing: You have an excellent bow. Before I answer your question bare with me a little. Make sure, way before the season, that your broad heads hit where you aim. If they don't hit very close to where your field points do, you either don't have things right with the arrows or the bow is not tuned right. This is not rocket science, even though a lot of bow shops want you to believe it is.
Boiled down to the simplest, you want your arrow to travel while on the rest, or where the rest was in the case of a drop away, directly in line with the travel of the bow string. It should not be trying to go to the right or left. Many people want their arrow just a little (1/8th inch) nock high. The cams should be rolling over at the same point all of the way, so the nock stays at the level you want it. The arrow needs a good helical or off set fletch to make the arrow spin in flight. It is good to have the arrow balanced 10-15 % weight forward, as measured from the middle of the arrow shaft. This is not something that has to be exact. Also proper arrow spine is important. Maybe you know all of this, but in case you don't, it will keep you into bow hunting and from going crazy.
Now to your question: I like three weeks. When I get to camp I set up camp and then go right away to check the cameras. If I can go to my hunting area a coupe of times, then a little earlier for the first trip, and a little later for the second trip gives me an opportunity to place the cameras at an alternative location, in case one is not picking up any or many animals. Also It gives me an opportunity to see if anything has messed with a camera.

[itsnlkthing]

I'm very pleased with the bow and the guy who set it up for me did a great job on the tune and timing. All I have access to right now is an indoor range that is target point only but i will get a lot of opportunity to practice with broad heads when the weather warms up. There is an outdoor range in my neighborhood but it doesn't open until April. My initial setup has the Carbon Express Maxima Hunters in 400 spine, with straight fletched blazers. With 100 grain tips and my short 26.5" DL, those calculations are all in spec but the overall weight is a bit light for penetration. I'm planning to get a fletching jig and start making up my own arrows. Based on Paul's thread about weight / penetration I need to go a bit heavier, which will push me to a stiffer arrow. It seems many people are positive about the slick trick viper tricks. I have the OT2 software and I'm playing around with some designs on it. My initial setup has a single pin HHA slider but I also have a MBG 5 pin that I can put on if that would be better suited to hunting. I turn 50 this month and wear bifocal contacts.....I kind of like the single pin for clutter purposes. With the speed of that bow, it shoots pretty flat out to 40 yards but that may change as I go up in arrow weight.

[pointysticks]

wise man!! very wise.

doing it AFTER a long career in rifle hunting is wise indeed.
me? i killed ONE elk and declared: "i am now a bowhunter!"

not so wise that Second elk is a daunting task..hahahha. welcome aboard bud!

[Swede]

itsnlkthing: You can keep your current arrows and run a full length of weed trimmer string down the inside the shaft for extra weight. If you do that right away, you will have your bow sighted in before you change over to broad heads. You think your bow is well tuned. Tell me if you think the same after you start shooting broad heads. You will know it is good, if the broad heads hit where the field points do. I usually am satisfied if my broad heads hit within an inch or two of the field points. Even two inches off will get me to fine tuning. Don't let anyone tell you a bow cannot be adjusted so that the broad heads hit very close to where the field points do at 40 yards or more. If your broad heads group well, in small increments, adjust the rest so the broad head heads are moved to where the group of field points are hitting. Never adjust more that one thing at a time on your bow, and mark where you began, so you can always go back. Personally I think the paper tuning, the dealers rave about, is a way to make you feel good about your bow, but gives a false sense of security.

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

First of all, I'd like to say wELKome to the Elknut forum. And secondly, that is a great idea packing your tree stand in on scouting trip and stashing it. And while you're at it, it might be a good idea to pack in some extra food. You know that MH might get pretty old after a week of eating it and some canned food might just taste pretty good.

Another thing you might want to think about while you're in there scouting is to look for the cow's. Don't worry so much about finding a bull. Just remember where you find the cows in late summer is where the Bulls will be come September.

And another thing I noticed is that there were several bow tuning questions and answers. A good source for that kind of information would be to get on YouTube and do a search for bow tuning tips.com. Kenny Parsons is an excellent bow mechanic.

Have yourself a great hunt and wELKcom aboard!

[easeup]

what do you mean? you really should say you came over from the dark side!!!

this is the elk site and there are lots of good bowhunters here also.
welcome

[Wapiti]

I would hunt the last week of September !! You will encounter the most rutting activity around that time which will give you the best odds...definitely use your trail cams while your out there !! Even if you do not get back to them for 5-6 days you'll see what was there while you were not. This will help you the next year when you go. Always look ahead and plan for future hunts while your out there.

With a bow make sure you shoot him straight up the middle of the leg and 1/3-1/2 way up his chest. This will give you the biggest target and area for error ! Do not shoot behind the crease as the guts come into play if you are to low !! Been there done that as I'm sure we all have !!
Trust me shoot straight up the leg !! Count to 13 on that hit and he should be down !! Pick a tuft of hair to shoot as well !! Smaller target makes you concentrate more.

Shoot lots all summer and shooting an elk will become instinctual when your in the heat of the moment. A lot of people do not remember even shooting. It all happens so fast !!

Most of all WELCOME !! Have fun the people on here are great and have many years of experience !! Right WW !!! LOL

[itsnlkthing]

what do you mean? you really should say you came over from the dark side!!!

this is the elk site and there are lots of good bowhunters here also.
welcome

Meant entirely as humor. From what I've read on the site there are far more bow hunters here than rifle but either way, we're all obsessed with a passion for elk hunting. I hope no offense has been taken. I couldn't be more excited about making a change to a new approach to hunting. I love to shoot everything - hand guns, shotguns, rifles and now my bow.

I have tremendous respect for the complexity of bow hunting. I also took up fly fishing in the past couple of years and that too is a rabbit hole... always something to learn.

For me, I love the hunt. Successful or not, it's about being out there in God's creation, unplugged, hot or cold, wet or dry, still or on the move...I'm going. I've hunted alone the past 2 years, not by preference but because I'm going no matter what. It's great to be among other like minded people here and I look forward to making some new friends.

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

Wapiti wrote, "Have fun the people on here are great and have many years of experience !! Right WW !!! LOL"

Ya, I suppose I've been around the block a time or two. There's a whole bunch of us on here that have.

[Wapiti]

I think all the years of knowledge from everyone combined is what keeps us here !! It's awesome having friends from all over that enjoy the same passions !!

[G Posik]

Itsnlthing the dark side is when you loose the wheels on your bow and go trad. That is when you truly have crossed over to the dark side. I love being on the dark side. Good luck with your bow hunting as it will add a lot of excitement to your hunt. Remember you need to practice and get that bow and arrow tuned for perfect flight.

Glenn

[Jaquomo]

One thing to understand is that September is dynamic in terms of elk movement in CO. Where they are the first week may not be where they are when the rut kicks-off. And vice versa. I know places that are grim the first week. Depressing. By the third week it can be like Yellowstone. I know other places where the first week is the ONLY time to hunt it. Since this is your first season hunting in that month, if I were you I'd try to make a couple short trips before making the week-long plunge (assuming your family/job will allow it). Even the three-day Labor Day weekend may reveal some things.

It may seem like a trek, but you can leave Friday night after work, have your pack ready to go, get up a couple hours before light and get in there. You can hunt Saturday, then Sunday morning, then get back home. You'll learn a lot that way, especially your first year. Two years ago I did that when learning a new spot - 3.2 miles in the dark to where I started hunting. But I learned a lot and should've killed my biggest bull ever - a big 7x that I shot just barely under. I learned that I should've hunted that spot a couple days earlier, at the very beginning of the season.

If you already have your campsite figured out with a water source, you can stash some stuff prior to the season on a scouting trip, as others have suggested. The you can skip in there, hunt for a couple days, and get back home. IMO the learning curve of a place is every bit as difficult as any other part of the process. You can know all there is to know abut shooting, calling, etc.. but if you don't learn the mciro-habitat and the elk habits during the phases of the rut, it can be frustrating.

If you're three miles in away from roads, I wouldn't worry about muzzleloaders. They are a different breed.

Welcome to bowhunting. You'll get hooked. I've never rifle hunted for elk, only bowhunted for them for 40 years, but have guided many rifle hunters. You're about to embark on a totally different journey. Enjoy it!