Looking ahead on Looking Back...

[Indian Summer]

OK this thread isn't on the happiest subject. It's more of a "cold hard truth" thread. A dose of reality that many will have to face before this year is over. Can you look ahead and maybe already know what you'll look back on as the reason you didn't connect this year?

When a manufacturing system generates a product that doesn't meet the design specs engineers use what is called RCFA to determine the problem. Root Cause Failure Analysis is simply the process of asking why over and over until you get to the root of the problem. For example: A component is bigger than the tolerances. So they ask why to which an inspection of a machine reveals that it's not milling properly. Why? Because the part that positions the piece is worn. Why? Because the piece it is coming into contact with is causing friction and wearing it out. Why? Because machine part 1 is made of a harder material than part 2. Solution: Either automatic lubrication, or part 1 being made of a harder material, or both.

The numbers tell us that some elk hunters are coming home empty handed this year. While it is hunting and that can happen to anyone we have all heard the saying "10% of the hunters kill 90% of the game" So it's probably safe to say that some had a plan for success, and some were doomed from the start. Is that you?

Flash forward to this November or December. Let's say you are one of the people who don't end up with at least a shot opportunity. Why? If you were looking back on your hunt right now what would you be thinking?

The first question would be is there some aspect of your plan that is a weak link? Is the problem related to equipment, location, a partner, a lack of experience, lack of time, attitude/motivation issues, didn't practice shooting from all positions or other? The list of potential deal breakers is a mile long.

So if I asked you right now "If you aren't successful this year what will the #1 reason be?" what would you say? I mean the root of the problem. This question might require you to take a good look at your game plan and also to be really honest with yourself. The idea is for you to think about that problem and try to do your best to eliminate it ahead of time if possible.

There is one thing that can happen that is truly beyond your control. The thing that prevents anyone from making it happen. Weather. Mother Nature trumps all. But if you're honest, you might say "well I could have/should have hunted but I used rain as an excuse to take the day off" then that's a different story. Maybe the root cause of the failure is you didn't have good rain gear.

So.... what's the weak link in your plan right now? Don't say bad luck. lol That can happen to anyone. Surely there has to be something that you know could use some improvement.

[timberland]

#1 would be limited days to hunt, #2 would be hunting with people that don't have the same drive and determination I do, which leads to less knowledge and less time in the woods.

[Indian Summer]

This is the part where all the New Mexico hunters chime in with "The #1 reason I don't kill elk is because I can't draw a dang tag!"

Good luck in the draw down there guys & gals!

[LckyTylr]

My number one obstacle that I need to overcome is "distancing myself from the competition . . . you guys". I know how far back I need to go in the area that I hunt to be consistently in the elk (I think). I know that if I kill one back there, it's going to be he!! to get one out alone.

So, I need to be in better shape than I ever have been and commit to killing an elk in a he!! hole that I know holds elk . . . and packing him out on my shoulders . . . one trip at a time. It's a 3-1/2 mile hike to the bowl I'm thinking of and about 1,400 ft of elevation difference from the bottom of the bowl to the trail head (I don't know what the elevation difference is from rim of bowl to bottom of bowl (maybe 600 ft - it's a big bowl).

Being honest . . . I need to step away from my Keyboard-Ninja lifestyle and start working out.

[Fridaythe13th]

#1 for me is "learning to call" I went out last year with 1 cow call and 1 bugle call. this year I already bought 5 new cow calls. #2 getting up earlier #3 duct tape my feet and get into better shape. those darn blisters killed me last year never had that problem before. The thing I don't want to change is having fun and it is my only vacation of the year.

[Indian Summer]

Friday... duct tape! That's only for use after the problem happens. Your feet need to breath. Have you tried polypropylene socks inside merino wool? The other thing I use for hot spots is the fabric (really sticky) band aids.

LckyTylr.. that's no so bad. You said a big part of the hard part is getting him out of there. That wouldn't be classified as a reason why you didn't get a shot opportunity. That's more like a reason you killed one but didn't live to tell about it! The part where you said you need to commit is a different story. Just do it!

Timberland you need to solve your problem right now. But that's simple. You need to communicate! Tell your partners hey look.... it's fine if you don't want to kill yourselves to get an elk. But my idea of fun is giving it everything I have and then some" Tell them that you need their support and that if you kill something you'll really be counting on them. AND... tell them right now that even if they decide to throw in the towel you would hope that they would realize it's a two way commitment and that you want them to stay in camp for all of the days you planned on. No leaving camp early! They key part to make sure they know is that it means a lot to you to hunt all of the days you can and that you need them as much or more than they need you.

I swear if I had a partner even hesitate at saying no problem to that I'd be making a different plan right now. Better not to have a partner than to plan on one who bails out!

Less knowledge isn't really a cause. You have to expect to encounter a learning curve. If they don't do any homework before hunting that affects their hunt but not yours. In the end there is no doubt... they will either step it up and become elk hunters... or they will bail out because there's no such thing as a long term lazy elk hunter and you'll find partners that are more your speed. I think for non-res elk hunters one of the toughest things is finding someone to commit the time and money to hunt every year.

[Indian Summer]

It doesn't get any easier either! People get busy, have kids, buy new houses etc. I'm 48 and everyone I hunt with is in their 20s and a couple in their 30s but the ones in their 30s live where we hunt.

Maybe this is the part where the solo hunters chime in and say yep... I've eliminated that problem!

[zpd307]

my lack of elk knowledge and behavior has been my Eleanor. i have been able to find and get into the elk. but my lack of knowledge prevented me from having the tools to formulate a game plan. i hate the feeling of not knowing what to do. trying to learn about elk behavior is what brought me here.

both years in Colorado, i ended up hunting on my own as the my buddies weren't willing to put as much effort as i was to get into the elk.

[BrentLaBere]

Looking back on other seasons and now ahead to this one....
Equipment maintenance while in the field. Do not over look taking care of the gear (bow and arrows) that get the job done when the opportunity presents itself. Doing everything right up to this point has been achieved....now everything comes down to those minutes that feel like a lifetime.
Bring a target in the truck in-case I do get time to shoot during the hunt. Check arrow alignment with string and sights. Check for any loose bolts nuts ect....Check for twigs, moss in your limbs after crawling through that last thicket....

Any other maintenance issues?....

I like where IS describes not controlling the weather.....it happens. But adjust and don't let it stop you from hunting. That day? Maybe, but move on to another area (plan A, B, C, and so on) in-case the snow clouds are socked in. Or be ready to head out after the lightning storm passes.

[Ridge Ghost]

With our first kid due August 5th, my weak link this year could simply be time spent in the woods. I will have a 1-month old when archery season opens, and I have no idea what that will look like. I have a super cool wife as far as hunting goes, but even so it may be tough because I want to help at home and be a team player. I probably won't be able to do my usual plan of backpacking in for a week. I might be limited to doing day hunts that are closer to town in areas that aren't quite as good.

[Olydog09]

Committing myself to hunting hard alone. My main partner lives in Boise and I usually do the scouting etc as we hunt N. Idaho which is close to me. He has pretty much opted out for the season. I enjoy having a partner to share the good times and hard times with. For me having a good partner makes things more memorable.

[stringunner]

weak link #1 in the plan right now...stand locations. Last year we focused on three specific spots and we need new/different spots this year, I have some ideas and plan to get in some serious scouting this summer to eliminate that weak link. The other weak link #2 is in understanding the calling situation as it unravels. Last year when calling for my buddy during the last week, we had three different bugling scenarios with multiple bulls and in all three situations got within 80 yards but couldn't seal the deal. I drove away from camp knowing I needed to be better at reading the situation as is plays out, and perhaps get more aggressive. My "shooters" were a little timid to move closer as well when needing too and I was left behind them trying my darnest to make it happen for them but between their lack of feeling comfortable moving forward despite good cover and me not providing the "right" sounds at the precise moment, I think was the deciding factor in those situations. Thus my homework for this off season.

[Swede]

Stringunner: I know where there are a lot of optional places for you to consider. You can be kept busy scouting. To be honest, I don't know any better places than what you found, except all of your spots can run hot and cold. If you get some more places, you can check around and have more opportunities to work hot spots.

As far as I.S's. question is concerned, I am satisfied almost all of the people in camp can get elk. We are equipped and know enough to kill one. Now can I find one I really want. Fewer and fewer good bulls are seen as the season progresses. Do we hang around or move on to a different location. How far should we go? If we move anywhere it will be an unknown for a few years. Is that acceptable?

[tdirks]

My weak links are time and money! Could be called just one since to me right now time is money! I have never been able to spend any time scouting and have never been able to hunt more than 4 days straight. This year for the first time I am planning on a full week. With the difficulty I have had in trying to find the time there are those who have suggested I quit until I can find more time, but I refuse to do that. I can see more time becoming available in the future and I am looking forward to it!!

[welka]

Great post MP. My answer is not in line with most above. Some of us (me) have met our match on a physical limitation and have to accept that we are the weak link! So, once you accept that, you have to adjust your game plan. I will miss more than anything the chase, strategy, commradre, diving deep into a gorge, etc but once you realize you can't do it that way anymore, you have to adjust the game plan. I can still hunt elk, but my opportunities will likely be less than most of those who can still hoof it, but I am going to still try and stick one out of a tree, over a wallow, or any where elk might show up and I can sit! May be others out there like me who just do NOT want to give up on elk hunting and will go to plan B. As for the rest of you, I envy you and wish you the best of luck on the chase!

[Csrbowhunter]

I think my number 1 problem this year is I'll be hunting a new state that unfamiliar with plus I will be hunting higher attitude then normal. Most of the time the biggest problem was every year the guy I would be hunting with was his first elk hunt. They would be out of shape,not know how to call and I'd have to do all the calling for them to have any shot to get an elk.

[elk-n-walleye]

The first question would be is there some aspect of your plan that is a weak link? Is the problem related to equipment (NO), location (NO), a partner (NO), a lack of experience (Maybe with a Bow but not rifle), lack of time (NO, I'll take a week in Sept and 3 in Nov), attitude/motivation issues (Heck NO), didn't practice shooting from all positions/distances (Maybe = bow, No = Rifle) or other? The list of potential deal breakers is a mile long.

So if I asked you right now "If you aren't successful this year what will the #1 reason be?"

The #1 reason I wouldn't be successful getting a shot opportunity with a bow would be relying only on calling elk in. I do have to get better at situation calling but if calling isn't working I have my legs and I'll use them!
The #1 reason I wouldn't be successful getting an elk in the freezer with a bow would be lack of sufficient target practice (extending my range).
However, if I fail in Sept. I will get one in Nov. with a rifle.

[zpd307]

ridge, congrats! but, I don't miss the newborn phase. having 3 boys, 8,7,6, its nice not having to change diapers

[Willie makit]

The same thing that gets me when I hunt Midwest white tails. Inevitably on day one I pass on an animal that I'd take on the last day.

But I think of all those days I would have missed in the field and it's a choice I've not regretted a minute. The elk will be different as I've never taken one yet, heck I've never seen one in person yet. I've got a lot of thinking on what ill take for my first elk.

[Ghost]

If I dont harvest an elk, I want it to be from something I have no control over, like weather. The very last thing I want to happen is something like I didnt train hard enough, I didnt plan correctly, didnt bring the right equipment, no one can control everything that it takes to put together a long distance elk hunt, however to have something go wrong that was under my direct control, I would look at that as a failure, and I FREAKING HATE to fail!!!

[ctdad]

Ghost, I look at it the same way you do. I workout, practice calling, study elk behavior, study elk language and shoot my bow in an attempt to minimize the chances of screwing it up. I still do, but that's part of it too.

[timberland]

I relate failing of my own accord to being late for church. Everybody is looking at you, knowing its your own fault and easily fixed. And its mostly because I'm lazy (one more cup of coffee)