Doing Your Homework

[Trophyhill]

So many times I hear guys talking about the importance of learning an area and basically hunting the same units year after year. I'm not saying I disagree with this but.......if we do our homework learning about elk, what works in certain situations, how to identify areas that will likely hold elk and having the versatility to change it up and mix it up, shouldn't a well rounded hunter be able to go into any unit and be successful

[elk-n-walleye]

I have been debating this the past couple months as I plan next years hunt. Last year I hunted a new unit, which is very large, so I only hunted a small portion of it. I found the elk in there but I'm considering changing camp sites this fall to open up more area from a central location. I have identified areas that look like they would hold elk from GE and topo maps but if they don't my original area will be a further hike each day from the new camp site.

So, yes! I have the same debate. Do I build on what I learned last year of the portion of the unit I hunted or do I expand my hunt area and count on my methods, which I admit aren't as honed as others, to find elk in these new areas.

I probably won't decide for sure until I get to the actual fork in the road.

[ElkNut1]

Yes, they can! It's all about homework which translates into a recipe towards success! This can be accomplished on a DIY OTC public land hunt & many hunters over the years have proved this! As long as a hunter isn't focused on unrealistic goals like a 5-6 point or nothing then his odds can really rise towards success. Too, be prepared to not only have 10 days to hunt but be in good enough shape for your intended style of hunting where you can hunt all 10 days without needing rest days as this can cut into your quality hunting time!

The recipe should include such ingredients as being in shape, background study & what to expect in area hunted, know how to call & when to call, know how to still be effective in those non-bugling days, having a positive attitude as the days linger on, never give up, having decent clothing for what mother nature throws at you, comfortable camp, being able to navigate around without worries, etc.

ElkNut1

[Indian Summer]

Absolutely! At this stage of my elk hunting I don't look at a trip into a new area as an exploration, I expect results. By the time I get there I have a pretty good idea of what to expect and where I plan to look for the elk.

In the process of doing that you'll learn about more than just "elk hang on north slopes" which I hear all the time. They use all of their range at one time or another depending on conditions. You'll learn things like what type of plants grow in different areas and which ones elk prefer to eat at different points of the year. You'll learn a bit about geography and how to view different terrain, you'll become a weather expert. Once you have a thought process that takes all of that into consideration and you can ask yourself, "If I was an elk where would I prefer to be right now?"

I know Paul will agree with me when I say I get a huge sense of self satisfaction and self accomplishment when I can kill elk in a new area.

[Toby]

As an example, our group has been chasing elk in the same area for about ten years. We live 1400 miles from our elk hunting grounds, so scouting on the ground is not an option. Two years ago we changed locations to a different part of the sate due to a huge fire that wiped out everything we had been hunting. A lot of time on GE narrowed our search to two places. On that hunt we moved camp two times during a 10 day hunt. Not exactly what we were hoping to do, but the last three days found us in some promising country. Although, that years hunt was a bit of a bust, the next year out we shot two bulls and missed another. This was very gratifying, and it is part of what lures me to elk hunting, exploring new areas and figuring out how the elk use the area. Can't wait to get back this September. I have learned a lot on this site since then and can't wait to apply some of that knowledge.

[Indian Summer]

If you were into elk in the first spot I wouldn't have gone too far after the burn. They will be back in there in no time. Eventually anywhere there is timber in and around the burn will be really good.

[Toby]

If you were into elk in the first spot I wouldn't have gone too far after the burn. They will be back in there in no time. Eventually anywhere there is timber in and around the burn will be really good.

Good point, I know burns are good for elk. The wolves had really diminished the elk numbers since we started hunting the original place in the late '90s. There were years lately where we struggled to find elk, and we hunt hard, and know the country. I would like to go back again, not sure how to bowhunt such open country.

[zpd307]

Can't wait to get back this September. I have learned a lot on this site since then and can't wait to apply some of that knowledge.

same here. and we will be hunting a new area this year also....