Rookie Question for Rookies

[Trophyhill]

Will you know what to do when "The Moment of Truth" arrives? You've done your homework, your GE scouting, worked out a little, shooting lights out, trying that western pack out for the first time, read The PlayBook/DVD's, think your calling is good enough to get by and it happens. You make a call and a bull is coming. You catch glimpses of a rack coming your way. Are you prepared for that feeling? Your nerves will determine whether or not you are really ready. You have to have that killer instinct. No fear to drop the string and have ice in your vanes. You cannot let your nerve control your actions. You cannot rush your shot. You cannot force your shot. There will be a lot of self imposed pressure. Can you control your emotion during crunch time? Just wanted to give you guys something to think about because it's real and for most a life changing event. Good luck all you rookies and guys that haven't had that close encounter of the elk kind yet!

[Navesgane]

Looking forward to my first up close and personal elk encounter with a bow. I imagine it will be similar (although hopefully more intense) as my first whitetail and hog encounter and I'm looking forward to all the feelings and excitement that comes with it, as well as the mistakes- as long as I don't make the same ones twice it will be a success for me either way it turns out.

[Indian Summer]

Man TrophyHill you're even making me nervous!

OK guys & gals... my "calm down speech"

You've been shooting at targets? Maybe at a 3d deer target because who can afford a McKenzie elk target right? Maybe papwr plates. Guess what? If you are even nicking the spine or belly of that deer or hitting the outer rim of a paper plate you are killing elk. I'm a multi pin guy. Not a pile of them... just 4. When an elk get's inside 25 yards all 4 pins are inside the elks body. I'd have to screw up pretty bad to pick my 10 yard or 40 yard pin... but at that range the 20 & 30 would both get the job done. Yes... you could lose your mind and miss by 6 feet. But once you've found elk, once you've gotten them to cooperate, once you have that clear shooting lane the hard part is done... calm down man. Elk are big... you can do this!

[Trophyhill]

Man TrophyHill you're even making me nervous!

And I thought you had nerves of steel lol

[Indian Summer]

But Trophy a good point to be made from your post is this: It's best to run through things in your mind beforehand.

As a matter of fact you should run your entire hunt through your mind. I know you have but I mean really... start on the night before hunting. Did you fill your water before bed? Get your lunch ready for the most part? Have your pack in order? Those are the things that cause us to run late in the morning. Then the first morning. Damn, forgot to set the alarm! Broke a boot lace cranking them down. Walking out in the morning your headlamp starts to blink and decides to take the day off. Can you dig the other one up in the dark? Holy crap my release is on the stump beside the tent! Well... I was planning to go that way all year but the wind has different ideas. Now what? Ok flash forward.... day 5: Tired. Sore. Dreaming of real food. Missing the family. And.... haven't seen an elk in two days. Now what? Are you going to brush it off take a deep breath and hunt like it's day 1 or... sleep in since after all why should today be any different than the last 4? OK.... leaving tomorrow: Getting late. Do I hunt til the bitter end or consider what will happen if I have to be at work in 3 days and there are 2 days of driving ahead of me and I'm looking for an elk tomorrow morning instead of packing camp out? Maybe we pack camp out today and hunt from the truck until the whistle blows?

I could go on for an hour. Run every possible scenario through your head and the less likely the unlikely will be as hard to deal with when it becomes reality. Including as TrophyHill said.... an elk rack flickering between the trees angling in your direction.

[easeup]

Man TrophyHill you're even making me nervous!

I have never forgotten that first encounter with a bull when bow hunting. Now this is coming from a guy that had taken a number of rifle kill bulls in his younger life. So you would say a seasoned killer right? Picking up that compound and learning the new game was quite the challenge and made for a lot of extra preparation for the moment of truth......now the part about nerves of steel/ice in the vein....I had failed to prepare for that one since I thought I was seasoned enough; right?....OMG HELP ME. My iron-head turned to mush when it came down to executing the perfect arrow at an extremely long shot .................~ 15 yds!
To this day, I don't know where the arrow went; but one thing is for sure it didn't hit an 800 lb bull screaming at me. so yes, I failed miserably at the first moment of truth. It is on my record for all to see and laugh.

Are you prepared for that feeling? Your nerves will determine whether or not you are really ready. You have to have that killer instinct. No fear to drop the string and have ice in your vanes. You cannot let your nerve control your actions. You cannot rush your shot. You cannot force your shot. There will be a lot of self imposed pressure. Can you control your emotion during crunch time? Just wanted to give you guys something to think about because it's real and for most a life changing event.

yes sir. trophyhill is right!

[Trophyhill]

Man TrophyHill you're even making me nervous!

I have never forgotten that first encounter with a bull when bow hunting. Now this is coming from a guy that had taken a number of rifle kill bulls in his younger life. So you would say a seasoned killer right? Picking up that compound and learning the new game was quite the challenge and made for a lot of extra preparation for the moment of truth......now the part about nerves of steel/ice in the vein....I had failed to prepare for that one since I thought I was seasoned enough; right?....OMG HELP ME. My iron-head turned to mush when it came down to executing the perfect arrow at an extremely long shot .................~ 15 yds!
To this day, I don't know where the arrow went; but one thing is for sure it didn't hit an 800 lb bull screaming at me. so yes, I failed miserably at the first moment of truth. It is on my record for all to see and laugh.

Are you prepared for that feeling? Your nerves will determine whether or not you are really ready. You have to have that killer instinct. No fear to drop the string and have ice in your vanes. You cannot let your nerve control your actions. You cannot rush your shot. You cannot force your shot. There will be a lot of self imposed pressure. Can you control your emotion during crunch time? Just wanted to give you guys something to think about because it's real and for most a life changing event.

yes sir. trophyhill is right!

I drew back at least 5 times my first encounter waiting for a shot and felt the same way you did. I never released an arrow but I'll never forget that day. It really shook me up, Literally. but that rush is unforgettable. I won't go into detail but that was my life changing event in the elk woods.

[elk-n-walleye]

similar to easeup I've taken my share of elk with a rifle. last year was my first archery hunt and I had encounters but not like the one trophyhill described. In my encounters I really didn't have a bull ever screaming at me on his approach. A few of my encounters pretty much played out like ambushes so there was only time to react and not think. A couple other encounters had the bull out of range but working towards me but in the back of my mind I knew I wasn't likely to get a shot so I was mostly calm. If I have a bull coming in to shooting lane at 20-30 yds screaming his head off this season I hope last yrs encounters will prove useful in keeping me calm... but I doubt it.

Good Luck to all of us looking for our first archery elk this year!

[Indian Summer]

I have a buddy from Darby Montana. Born and raised there. Last week he married a girl from California and for their honeymoon they flew into the Selway Wilderness to hunt wolves. lol This guy is a seasoned mountain man. Been killing elk since he was 12. Killed 2 bulls in one year many times. Killed a record billy goat last year in Montana. The guy is a stone cold killer to the bone. He is steady as a rock... out to 1000 yards plus. One year he bought a new Mathews and got pretty darn good with it. Me and another guy took him to one of our spots where we knew there were elk. I had already killed one so he was the only shooter. We're walking right along a ridgetop and stopped real quick for a break. Before we moved on I cow called one time. This bull bugled loud and clear from down over the hill. I told the shooter to head toward the bull a bit find a spot and hunker down. Me and the other guy headed away from the bull and set up. I cow called again and here he comes. Bugling his head off like it was tv or something. He was a 5 by 6 and he stops perfectly broadside at 20 yards max in a wide open burn and bugles full blast. I guess it was more than stone cold gun hunting killer could take because he stuck and arrow in a tree about 4 feet above the bull. Me and my other bud weren't that far back so we watched the whole thing. In response the bull went into a second mad bugling session with big chuckles peeing all over himself. Old Paul proceeded to nock another arrow, draw back, and sink it firmly into a horizontal log on the ground about 2 feet in front of the bull. He ran off that time bugling occasionally as he went. me and the one guy were in stitches. Butterfingers says "man I'm glad that happened I wouldn't have gotten to gun hunt this year" as we rolled our eyes. Cutting the distance by 980 yards was a little too much I guess.

[pd]

I have a buddy from Darby Montana..........Cutting the distance by 980 yards was a little too much I guess.

That is hilarious. Maybe the 1,000+ yard shots were bad for him, because he never saw an elk up close (really close)? But he surely learned from this, and would really be a world class hunter by now. Thanks for sharing a great story.

Butterfingers. Holy Cow, that is funny.

[Toby]

Trophyhill, great thread. Of all of the preparations we do this, preparing mentally for this kind of adrenalin rush, is perhaps the most important.

This is where having a shot sequence that you always follow can really save the day. Get your mind focused on your sequence, and run the shot, the rest will seem like a good dream.

[Trophyhill]

Trophyhill, great thread. Of all of the preparations we do this, preparing mentally for this kind of adrenalin rush, is perhaps the most important.

This is where having a shot sequence that you always follow can really save the day. Get your mind focused on your sequence, and run the shot, the rest will seem like a good dream.

Good advice. I like to visualize potential situations. Shooting should be like breathing where you don't have to think about it.

[ElkNut1]

Joe, I've got your buddy Paul beat, years ago I stuck an arrow 10' in a tree at a 30yd bull many years ago, yes sir that excitement & adrenalin pumping through the veins can really unravel a guy! (grin) That arrow is still there today as far as I know! Great story, it brought back memories!

ElkNut1

[Drawnandpinned]

U make it sound like hunting a hungry grizzly I hope I get a bull this year I think when it comes down to it I'll do fine

[Swede]

Fairly often I remind people never to shoot at elk. Shoot at a pinpoint location of your choosing. After you see the critter you want, focus on what you are doing. Never focus your attention on the antlers after you decide you want that animal. When you are set, wait for the animal to give you the first opportunity for a quality shot. Draw, carefully aim, making sure you are looking through your peep and the best pin, and aim at your a very small spot on the elk. Slowly squeeze the trigger, or release your arrow. That is how I avoid the jitters.
Several hunters I have had in camp, have a tough time managing their nerves, some have zero problem. If you are one that is prone to getting excited when you see a great opportunity coming, focus on yourself and let the animal do its thing as though you are not around.
I was not going to post on this thread as it was addressed to rookies, and I am closer to being a has-been, but hopefully This helps maybe one even person.

[wawhitey]

When it comes down to it all I can do is hope I can keep my cool but who knows? I've been in literal spitting distance of plenty of animals and generally I can hold it together. The one that gets me too damn excited to seal the deal every time is cats! I should have a few cougar rugs by now but damn, every time I get a chance at one I blow it. Let's hope a point blank shot at an elk doesn't do the same. I've been close enough to elk to shoot but never during elk season so I guess we'll see

[Screaming_btf]

When the time comes don't think about not missing the shot, focus on your shot placement and just let it go.

[Trophyhill]

Fairly often I remind people never to shoot at elk. Shoot at a pinpoint location of your choosing. After you see the critter you want, focus on what you are doing. Never focus your attention on the antlers after you decide you want that animal. When you are set, wait for the animal to give you the first opportunity for a quality shot. Draw, carefully aim, making sure you are looking through your peep and the best pin, and aim at your a very small spot on the elk. Slowly squeeze the trigger, or release your arrow. That is how I avoid the jitters.
Several hunters I have had in camp, have a tough time managing their nerves, some have zero problem. If you are one that is prone to getting excited when you see a great opportunity coming, focus on yourself and let the animal do its thing as though you are not around.
I was not going to post on this thread as it was addressed to rookies, and I am closer to being a has-been, but hopefully This helps maybe one even person.

Fwiw, this type of feedback is exactly what I am looking for!

[djchere]

This reminds me of my apprehension about bow hunting. I have not tried my luck at the trade but in my Years of working in the public lands I have come across a lot of injured animals never found stories or jerks who don't even take the hard right and follow them at all. I hope anyone who knocks an arrow knows what the hell they are doing before they wound one of these awesome creatures. Hunting is not the time to learn how to aim.

As for me I am a rookie elk hunter. But I will be using a rifle that will only be fired when I have a high kill confidence. I have killed a lot of deer but now live in Elk country. I will start out this Year with cow or spike hunting so I can get a taste for their habits and range. I will also work on my calls and see if I can get some bulls and or cows to respond but just for fun and practice. That way when I do go for the big bull in the future I will have a better sense of what i am getting in to.


Of course every chance I get I pick the brains of every one I meet in the area who has some experience and wants to talk.

Thanks for all the knowledge

[Trophyhill]

DJ, it's a 2 way street. There are many variables that play a part in un recovered animals. I have found my share of un recovered deer over the years that were not caused by bow and arrow. Hunting with a rifle does not guarantee a recovery. I lost a monster mulie one year hunting with a rifle. I won't go into details but I searched for 8 hours for that buck without success even though I'm sure I killed him. It's part of hunting unfortunately.

[Lefty]

I wouldn't consider myself a straight up rookie. But the time of truth the arrows flew true
However That isnt the problem
I had 2 huge bulls in the open 18 yards downwind, and no shooting hole in the blind
My first year, 6x6 I used the wrong pin at 11 yards, and bounced the arrow off his mainbeam/G4 as he had his head way back, clearing the main beam he would be in my freezer
Passed on5x6 a 27 yard shot waiting for him to get closer and he stood on the far side of a fence 25-35 yards for ten minutes
A bull that scored and was killed by a late rifle hunter, had him and he gave me a frontal shot, switched to a cow 12 yards out, bull presented himself again,.. used the pin from the cow
Two years ago raggy bull Ranged and knew all my distances. then moved ahead 31 yards I kept putting arrows over the bulls back at 22, 27 and 33
And this year 21 yards I really choked I shot a rifle left handed a bow right,I coulndt get my right eye to look through the peep
Well 1 1/2 years ago I call in a charging bull,.. lots of problems trying to keep my arrow nocked, he got down wind and left faster than he came in

[Wagnon89]

I hope I get the chance to see how calm my nerves will be at the moment of truth this September. I think I'm prepared somewhat but I'm sure if it happens there's a good chance it could end up just like my first encounter with a whitetail at close range with a bow.
My very first time EVER in the woods with a bow I had a nice 8 point buck step out at under 10 yards from my tree. Yes, UNDER 10 yards as in about 7 yards. He stopped perfectly broadside and ate on some acorns right straight in front of me. My arrow had to have gone 40 feet over his back at least. I was hooked on bow hunting from that day forward.

[luvelkhunt]

[quote="djchere"]This reminds me of my apprehension about bow hunting. I have not tried my luck at the trade but in my Years of working in the public lands I have come across a lot of injured animals never found stories or jerks who don't even take the hard right and follow them at all. I hope anyone who knocks an arrow knows what the hell they are doing before they wound one of these awesome creatures. Hunting is not the time to learn how to aim.

WOW!!!!!! I doubt there are many gun hunters that respect the animals that they chase as much as the archery hunters do. I didn't know that guns aim themselves, and I wonder how many of those wounded animals you see have a slug in the hind quarter by jerks taking running pot shots 200 or 300 yrds away??? don't throw stones when you obviously know nothing about it.

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

Had that first opportunity this past year. I am still amazed at how calm and steady I was until after the bull had fallen over dead. I drilled him at 27 yards with a longbow! Now big mule deer are a different story...