Relevance

[Swede]

Sometimes we read here where one hunter recommends one thing while another follows up saying something completely different. My good friend cnelk, Brad Knudson, and I disagree on calling from stands for example. Which one of us is right? Maybe both? It can depend on where you hunt. I know I have read things from such respected hunters as Indian Summer or Elknut and found I could not completely agree. We have our bias, but as likely as not what works in one area real well, is a flop in another. Of coarse, once in a while WW catches me saying something I wish I had not. Now Bill is a sly old dog, and you don't put much past him, but what I wrote had an element of truth, I think. It just was not well thought out and lacked relevance somewhere.
What I am wondering is, what differences you have picked up on from different hunters here or from some other source. I would like to open these differences up, and discuss them so you have more tools that work for you.

[Mofarmboy]

Being a rookie at elk hunting the biggest variance in opinion I've seen is on the subject of where to hunt ,as in how far one has to get away from the atv trails and roads.i know everyone has different hunting styles but I was surprised to see such a wide range of answers.

[zpd307]

interesting topic, I will be watching this one.

[Triplebhunters]

Its definitely interesting to listen (read) everyones experiences and opinions. Every area is different, every encounter is different, so listening to everyone brings ideas to use. And you never know when trying that one style brings success. Just like in everyday life.

[JJ Overkill]

probably the biggest difference ive seen is in calling. I know this guy who is a great caller but if you don't mimic everything he does than you are failing according to him. ive come to the conclusion even if I don't sound just like many others I don't care. no elk sound the same but make the same types of sounds. the same is true for callers. no one will ever sound the same but know what types of sounds and when to make them is more important. im sure my grunts don't sound the same as anybody else's nor do my chuckles im sure.

another area of discussion is what types of calls to use and when to use them. ive put up a couple of threads that got a good bit of conversation and debates. its always dealt adding realism to my calling techniques.

[fm]

I think one of the biggest differences I notice is how and when different people use calls. There are so many different types of areas and terrains is there really one way of hunting that is better that another. Where I hunt now I have not had to call once to shoot the elk I have shot. Would that work in someone else's area on here?
One thing I was thinking about was if me or one of the other Mn. elknuts got drawn for a once in a lifetime tag for Mn. elk tag and we had a round table get together of everyone on here . This would be a totally different type of hunt, more of a plains type of hunt with lots of cover for them to hide in. Do you think we could come up with a plan to hunt that everyone agreed with?

[mrganser]

I would like to entertain peoples' opinions on scent control for elk. My limited experience has shown that air movement from behind changes all current plans. Thoughts...???

[cnelk]

With the variations of styles of elk hunting mentioned here, Im curious as to which ones a newcomer is gravitating toward or
if someone has switched their tactics?

Im not a sly old dog like WW, Im just old.
So I probably wont be adjusting my style too much.

[Mikeha33]

Brad, last year on our hunt, we were completely clueless as to a hunting "style". We kinda just hiked around, little cold calling here and there, little glassing, pretty much a disaster It was more or less a scouting trip, getting to know the ins and outs of the mountains we were on. This year I already have a pretty good plan. I wish I could rely on cold calling sets, but since I don't plan on having very vocal elk late in the first week of September, and into the 2nd week, I am going to be doing a lot of running and gunning, trying to locate, pattern, and ambush tactics. I'll even be taking a treestand with me, that I'll leave in the truck, but can hike out and get it at a moments notice if i get a great spot to hang one and ambush. Because I feel more confident in finding elk by using my maps, I think I'll be able to concentrate on certain areas rather than aimlessly wandering, and have actual daily hunt plans written out.

[easeup]

I have noticed these things also, so Swede brings up a good point for all to consider. I have come to realize for example that many very good posts by our guy IS about hunting locations as probably absolutely correct when one considers he is speaking from his experience in MT/WY areas. Some of those helpful hints about where to hunt may not be so obvious when applied to more arid regions of NM for example.

if we were on another website, conflicting opinions would be trashed and debated as bunk, but here the air is still clean where all can honestly ask and question those that post what they have seen. It is all relevant, just some places it could be more relevant.

[ctdad]

I've come to the conclusion that different styles and techniques are not as area specific as they are hunter specific. If one hunter learns how to successfully kill elk one way (treestand or cold calling or whatever....), I would bet that with a little time and effort, that hunter could successfully use those techniques in almost any elk habitat (almost).

Last year, I was told by a local that the elk in the area I was going to hunt could not be bugled to. "If you bugle, the bulls will run away". This guy has killed a pile of bulls out of this area over the years. However, I don't think he knows much about elknut's teachings b/c every time he bugles, the bulls run off. We bugled with great success in that area during our hunt. He has a tried and true "method" of finding and killing elk and I'd bet he'd use that method no matter where he hunted.

[mtnmutt]

Because I hunt a CO OTC unit, I put more merit in the CO guys postings on calling. In particular, I follow their postings during September to get a feel for when the elk start to get more vocal and what they were recently responding to. In addition, I ask the other hunters in my area the same questions while hunting to get more realtime feedback of what is the present elk "mood".

However, I absolutely try other calling techniques and suggestions from the people in other states. I tried what I think was JF's regathering sequence, but I quickly changed to a single new when the hunters in my area reported good results with it. Single mew worked, so I stuck with it for opening week.

Also in late September, bnsafe and others reported raking was working, so I tried that. I was terrible, but it was fun to try. An after season instructional posting from someone in another state was very helpful on non vocal sounds.

Paul got me interested in ambush because of my hearing loss, so I added that to my arsenal.

I start with a plan that may include a wide variety of suggestions from everyone on here. My plans evolve as I gather more realtime information during September about what is happening in CO and my area.

As a new hunter, I keep an open mind and absorb all the suggestions.

[Indian Summer]

And absorb them you do!

I've read your posts: Both the ones seeking and sharing knowledge. You are an info gather machine, like a human hard drive! Must come from your thought processes at work. I think it's safe to say you are armed and dangerous.

[Gutpile]

I've heard alot of times that it's worthless to call unless it's Sept. or Oct during the rut. However, i've hunted with an older elk hunter who takes elk on a regular basis and never stops calling during the November rifle hunt. Does he walk around and bugle - no, but always mewing and chirping his way through the woods. I think he has a bit of the pied piper in him because elk run to him many times.

I don't think i have a firm style but simply try to go with the terrain i'm in. I've started spot hunting more after listening to folks on here - destination to destination seems to be paying off in the OTC units i'm trying to figure out. The animals, i've noticed, literally run from spot to spot but spend little time in the transition zones. I used to linger in those zones and had trouble locating game other than the occasional heart attack grouse...

[Swede]

I've come to the conclusion that different styles and techniques are not as area specific as they are hunter specific.

I completely agree, but would add that different techniques still need to be adapted to different areas. This applies to calling or ambushing elk. As others have pointed out, we need to adapt the tips we read, and work to perfect them in our own setting, and the time we are hunting. Timing is critical.
I remember elk hunting one morning in November about 1974. I was in a location that showed a lot of fresh sign that late summer. Three hunting seasons later, I was clueless that the elk were all gone. The last time I had seen the area everything was fresh and green. In November there was fresh snow but the place looked fine to me.
I have made that mistake many times, but at least now I understand better what has happened, and can move or adapt to the new situation.

Mikeha33. I like your plan for this next season. You may increase your chances of finding a good tree stand location by pouring over the topography map for your area and searching G.E. You probably know that, but I bring it up as a reminder. I too stumble into good sites, but it is often when I am out looking for a different one.

[flystrait]

Great thread Swede.

I believe not only the term relevance is appropriate, but speaking in absolutes is also important to consider before posting especially for me. When a person posts comments in that this is the way or comes across as this is the only way I think we can tend to loose people in the conversation. Keeping an open mind and mindful of others is very important. I think this forum does a great job, I just wanted to bring this up as other forums tend to turn into a good ol' boy forum and people tend to loose interest. Keep it up Swede!

Craig

[NCelkhtr]

I'll have to agree with mofarmboy. Being from a rookie from across the country we were asking about pressure and elk numbers to a few different people. No one gave the same answer at all. Different hunters rate the "amount" of pressure differently, also the abundance of elk. Sometimes the dnr is helpful, but depending on who you get to talk to. every time I research an area I end up more confused about if I should hunt it or not than before I began looking into it. Any suggestions on haw to go about this better?

[ctdad]

As whitetail hunters we are accustomed to hunting by ourselves on private property. We are trained to believe outside hunting pressure is the enemy. Over time I've come to believe that hunting pressure from other hunters has little to do with my success as an elk hunter. I've had elk encounters with other hunters very close by. I mess them up often though. I plan my hunt with little thought of where others may be. I will adjust when I get there if necessary, but I rarely have to.

[Swede]

ctdad: You bring up an interesting point comparing your hunting of Whitetail and hunting elk. They are totally different and the habitat they live on is far different that what most eastern Whitetail hunters are used to. There are some similarities, but the differences far outweigh them. Your point and what ncelkhtr brought up is good and what I was looking for when I started this thread. Lets discuss this on a new thread. I will call it "Locating Elk From the Outside". Thanks for your comments. There are other ideas shared here too that may develop into a good thread so keep the thoughts coming.

[Washington Wapiti]

With the variations of styles of elk hunting mentioned here, Im curious as to which ones a newcomer is gravitating toward or
if someone has switched their tactics?

Im not a sly old dog like WW, Im just old.
So I probably wont be adjusting my style too much.

Brad, I would say not so much switching tactics for me, but that I am interested in developing my calling further. I hunt pretty low and from what I've been able to tell over 5 years, after the first week of the opener my immediate area goes cold. I think mostly due to hunting pressure. The elk appear to get pushed "up." Then it is time to go looking. That or find a good area further up-slope to put a stand. It would be beneficial to have a larger "vocabulary" and be able to employ it effectively if and when the time comes and a stand isn't going to work.