Elk Hunting Basics......Your Move, Thread#10

[Trophyhill]

You're hunting high elevation and moved into a basin at the headwaters of a great looking drainage with lots of fresh sign, it's 4pm, you make an elk sound of your choice and half a dozen bulls bugle back from the dark timber on 3 sides above you and from further below somewhere along the drainage. None of the bugles are aggressive but just letting you know they are there. It's your move, now what?

[WapitiTalk1]

Wow, are we up to 10 already Lots of "it depends" here and unknown hunter information but I'll offer my thoughts based on the knowns. Since the scenario states the hunter is at a high elevation, he/she may be on the good end of the thermals at least for now. If I'm heading into the abyss after a bull (up, down, across or a combination of these to get me close to bullwinkle), I'm taking a minute to mark my current location (exit point after dark) on my GPS . Now, the thermals/wind will determine my potential travel route and which elk I'm heading for. At this time of day, the thermals are probably still flowing up but any wind can certainly mess them up. Elk seem to control the thermals and wind; it's noteworthy how they are always walking "into" any flowing air . My plan? Best estimate on the thermals/prevailing wind, use game trails, contours, and the existing cover to my advantage, and get as close as possible to one of the singers and see if he wants to play

[cnelk]

4pm?
Im not moving from my spot until I know the thermals are stable.
If the bulls sounded off at 4pm, they will continue to do so, probably even more without my coaxing as time goes by.
Even with stable thermals at 4pm, I still holding down until I determine which bull is the more dominant one.
I like to determine which one will let me know what going on. They could gather an become more concentrated.
In about an hour I will be making my move.

Let me know when its 5pm....

[JJ Overkill]

this isn't fair to ya david since I know how this works out. id hang tight and wait for the lower bull to come to the watering hole.

[WapitiTalk1]

this isn't fair to ya david since I know how this works out. id hang tight and wait for the lower bull to come to the watering hole.

Ref throws a flag! 15 yard penalty for using inside information

thCAKA3OVD.jpg (15.21 KiB) Viewed 7322 times

[easeup]

when hunting up high near the treeline, it seems always windy and swirling about. so whatever I do next is my best guest on the wind.
I am likely to stay a little low on this play because I assume I can return and play again tomorrow.
Now if it is hot and dry - and just by chance I know of a nearby water hole, I just may elect sit there for just another clue. If it is raining probably keep moving toward the bull with the best wind.

[Still Hunter]

Easy answer for me. I wouldn't be hunting that late.

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

Does this situation happen to you very often David? If so, can I go hunting with you?

[Swede]

If I am heading in at 4:00PM, there was delayed for some reason. It would be a good time now to get in to my tree stand and wait. I sure hope those thermals, that Brad was referring to did not mess me up. Even if one bull did wind me, probably most have no Idea this hunter is now waiting at the best water hole around. Come on boys, it's time for a drink.

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

4pm...that could leave nearly 5 hours of day light. Plenty of time to screw the whole area up if not cautious. I'd sit down. Eat a sandwich. Wait a while. I might even try to pin point a likely target. If I have a play on one, wind dependent of course, I'd move in real quietly and let out a soft location bugle. I'd try to play to curiosity here. It sounds like these boys aren't really hot to trot.

[WapitiTalk1]

I believe we're talking September here. There's only a bit over two hours till sunset. Does that change your plan?

[cnelk]

Im thinking more towards 8pm for dark?

[WapitiTalk1]

Im thinking more towards 8pm for dark?

I agree and stand corrected. Sunset is around 7:00 PM that time of the year.

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

3 hours instead of 5?
I'm still eating a sandwich.

[Trophyhill]

Does this situation happen to you very often David? If so, can I go hunting with you?

Lol not often enough that's for sure but you're welcome in my camp anytime and I'd be honored to hunt with you some time

[Trophyhill]

this isn't fair to ya david since I know how this works out. id hang tight and wait for the lower bull to come to the watering hole.

this isn't fair to ya david since I know how this works out. id hang tight and wait for the lower bull to come to the watering hole.

Ref throws a flag! 15 yard penalty for using inside information

thCAKA3OVD.jpg

Sorry guys, being a solo hunter I'm not one to sit and wait at a waterhole. In a drainage with bountiful elk and water they can get a drink wherever and whenever they want

[cnelk]

I missed the part in the original post about there being a waterhole?
Headwaters dont constitute a water hole

Is it 5pm yet?

[Swede]

You guys need to go over the ridge to argue about when the sun sets. Hang in there no matter how long it takes. Since you can tell time, you should be able to figure out in the end who was right. By now I am well settled into my tree stand and don't want anyone disturbing the elk. Also please don't be blatting on your flutes, and tooters. It is likely that all you will be doing is messing up a good water hole situation. Finally, gentlemen, please pop back into the basin just after dark so we can all start packing out. Well that sounds like a great script to me and a perfect solution to the time dilemma. LOL

Sorry guys, being a solo hunter I'm not one to sit and wait at a waterhole. In a drainage with bountiful elk and water they can get a drink wherever and whenever they want

I don't get it. You don't hunt water holes because you are alone. I only hunt water holes when I am alone. We do not have any two holers where we hunt, but some are fairly close.

[Buglemaster]

I'm hanging with easeup on this one. If by chance the evening thermals do stabilize, I'm heading down to Swedes tree stand over the water hole. With that many bulls in close proximity, I'd give them an audio of an elk orgy going on . That's worked for us several times over the years. But if the winds not real stable, I'd play it safe & just try to see their travel corridor with hopes of having better wind in the morning or evening. If nothing happens, I'll walk out in the dark with Swede. Important thing is to NOT blow them out of that drainage. They will be there tomorrow. By the way Swede, I'll help ya on the pack out if you score.

[Swede]

I guess I will have to change my story now about only hunting alone, since Buglemaster is sitting at the base of my tree.
You just might want to move Buglemaster. The next tree over will be fine. I do not know if you noticed the wet spots on the ground around you? That is not spilled coffee. Elk orgy audio? I hope you know what you are doing down there. Setting under my tree causes me to suspect you are not aware of what is going on around you.

[Buglemaster]

I've heard enough about your behavior in the stand sir...I'll be out of range.

[Trophyhill]

I missed the part in the original post about there being a waterhole?
Headwaters dont constitute a water hole

Is it 5pm yet?

You nailed it. No water hole. Just running water

[Lefty]

Im moving in, West slope I moving high, south east or north Im staying even then deciding as I get closer

Im not sure whats up with elk and water. Sitting at the only water for miles I watched a couple cows and spike walk past me 90 yards out. temps in upper 90's and it was a good 4 miles to an irrigated field. If they were patterned to water maybe I would give it a try

[Trophyhill]

You guys need to go over the ridge to argue about when the sun sets. Hang in there no matter how long it takes. Since you can tell time, you should be able to figure out in the end who was right. By now I am well settled into my tree stand and don't want anyone disturbing the elk. Also please don't be blatting on your flutes, and tooters. It is likely that all you will be doing is messing up a good water hole situation. Finally, gentlemen, please pop back into the basin just after dark so we can all start packing out. Well that sounds like a great script to me and a perfect solution to the time dilemma. LOL

Sorry guys, being a solo hunter I'm not one to sit and wait at a waterhole. In a drainage with bountiful elk and water they can get a drink wherever and whenever they want

I don't get it. You don't hunt water holes because you are alone. I only hunt water holes when I am alone. We do not have any two holers where we hunt, but some are fairly close.

It's just not my preferred method. It's to passive for "me" personally. The first couple years hunting elk passively netted a lot of blown opportunities and camp stories. After reading the "PlayBook" and learning not to be afraid to be aggressive and or make aggressive mistakes, it's paying dividends.