Why You Won't Take An Elk This Year!

[ElkNut1]

Many have doubts in their abilities to be successful, so if not successful this year what is is that you would attribute failure too? Are you a bad caller? You suffer in ambushing? You lack confidence in your abilities? Not sure if you can pack one off the mtn? Never killed an elk? Overwhelmed by the size of elk country or the size of an elk? You fear not being able to find elk? Other! So what are your concerns?

ElkNut1

[Gselkhunter]

Physical capability Paul, between the titanium knees and the broken leg/ankle there are some strength issues I may not be able to correct in time for season. That doesn't mean I won't go or give it all I have, it may just not be enough.
Even with these issues I still have a few tricks up my sleeve that might save me. Drawing the unit I want would be a great start. I will know that in a week or so.

[Toby]

I'm going in with a lot of confidence, but will be hunting solo this year in a fairly pressured area. So, I am going to hunt a little different this year, still kind of run and gunning, but will slow down some and hang out more in elky areas.

[easeup]

if it were to happen here, I am blaming loss of hearing.

[ThinAir]

Mental attitude is a big part of being successful. I won't go into the season thinking I'm not going to kill an elk. I'm also not going to shoot my mouth off to my buds that I will kill an elk but I know that if I do my scouting homework and get myself and gear in shape, it should happen. If it doesn't, then I move on and get 'em next year...

[Bails]

I am sharing an Elk Camp with 25 other hunters, not all are hunting the Elk, but if I don't score, it will be because somebody stumbles into my set-up. My calling is fine, my fitness is fine, I know where the Elk hang out, I just gotta make sure I go further away from the trail , as I know only a few from our camp will do the miles.

[Fridaythe13th]

We had our first of many elk meeting this last weekend. We talk about what we did wrong last year. Not getting up early enough, a couple of tree stands, another tent or tarp to dry off clothes, better boots are just few of them.

But to answer your question, lack of experience, hearing and being more aggressive.

[ElkNut1]

Good stuff! Yes, no one generally plans to fail but things do come up, it's how we handle these unforeseen situations at critical times that can make the difference! The scouting, homework, physical & mental conditioning can all come into play during ones hunts, yes there can be various challenges to be met in the elkwoods! Preparing ourselves now to cope with these familiar personal things can be things we can possibly work on now! All preparation that is down now can lead to ones success! Let's face it we all have obstacles to overcome it's how we handle the known ones that can build our confidence!

ElkNut1

[JerryYong]

Two reasons. First, drive in access to my old familiar hunting area/camp for the past 15 years has been blocked. Walk or bike in to the familiar elk grounds 4 miles is the only option for that area now. I'm not set up gear wise to change the way I've bowhunted the past 33 years and not sure yet that I can change to pack/bike in hunting at this stage of my life. That leads me to the second reason I might not be successful this year and that is my physical status and conditioning. A couple of snapped Achilles' tendon surgeries (and a torn meniscus and sprained ACL for good measure) on the same leg over the past three years seriously impacted my physical status and conditioning which makes it even more difficult to access my old area, scout out new areas, bail off into steeper stuff and packing one out if I do get one on the ground. I haven't been able to hunt since the 2010 season so in many ways this year will be a make or break test of my ability to continue hunting elk. I could probably bring in some younger legs for the heavy lifting but frankly that's being pretty selfish and being a self sufficient minded guy I don't see that scenario happening. Certainly looking forward to getting out there again and trying though!

[Swede]

At my age I could just settle into a routine and be satisfied with getting an elk, but that is not the case. I am still trying to expand my horizons. I want to try a new hunting location and some new ideas that have been on my mind. Specifically I want to venture into a totally new area, and see if I can determine how much the elk in the area I have hunted, have adopted to the high pressure of hunters, roads and cattle. Experimenting always carries risk with it, but I will continue to hunt some in my old haunts.

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

Because I'll get distracted by mule deer or giant brown trout. It's tough living in Montana...

[Screaming_btf]

If that were to happen for me it would be due to passing on small Bulls waiting for a mature bull and blowing my chances or never seeing one. Getting an Injury or having a family emergency calling me away from hunting.

[WapitiTalk1]

Patience and perseverence. Even at my age, I'm not a very patient hunter sometimes. Patience: every year, I give up too early on one of my cold calling setups and bump a bull who came in silent when I move. Patience: I will be deploying the death from above (tree stand) method for some evening sits this year. Not staying put until dark, or, climbing down to "chase a bugle" will minimize my odds for success. Perseverence: keep at it, even during inclement weather. The sideways rain storms we experienced in N ID last year kicked my butt, and, broke my spirit to the point that we didn't hunt for several days. Perseverence: "a hunter hunts"; I can go camping anytime of the year. Hunt hard, hunt smart, and resist too much camp lounging There's plenty of time to rest after the season is over.

[Trophyhill]

If it happens......it won't be from lack of effort

[stringunner]

If it happens......it won't be from lack of effort

+1

[Lefty]

I expect to take an elk this year
Ive made lots of mistakes so the odds should be in my favor,.. I mean how much more do I have to learn
If I dont take an elk this year it will be that I didnt take a couple days off work

[dreamhunter]

After last years experience ,I now know that I can call and get responses , I can call a bull in to within 12 yds of me. I don't think it's always getting up and out the door at dark thirty ( last years event proved that to me ). I think that should I not be successful this fall it would be because I am moving to fast through the elk woods and not paying enough attention to what is out there in the distance and right around me.I would say that's my biggest downfall right now, patience, patience when stalking through the woods or even on my way back to camp. My how many times I have been busted by those darn cows as I'm just headed back to camp and not always hunting all the way back.

[elkaholic]

Mis-judging distance again, and being too picky, no more passing on spikes. Thinking of the possibility of picking up a second tag. Heck with the cost of beef I'm still money ahead with the cost of an out of state extra tag.

[Trophyhill]

The biggest spoiler for me has been misreading the encounter. Fortunately having multiple opportunities has increased my odds of getting it right.

[Washington Wapiti]

Dear God DON'T let that happen this year!!

I don't know, I'm feeling pretty great about this upcoming season. Could be the afterglow of last season. I feel better this year about my ability to react in a calling situation than I have in years past. Because of you fellow elknuts, I'm packing a bigger toolbox into the woods this year. Instead of getting a response, and then a hang-up, and then sitting there going "Oh crap, now what," I'd like to think I can "work it" in a larger variety of situations now.

[Shawn032]

I am worried about the rest of my hunting party. They like doing everything half heartedly.

[cantgetdrawn]

As the world's worst elk hunter, I will have no excuses this year. After 16 years I finally drew a tag in my favorite unit ( a rifle tag). I know the unit and have 5 days to get within 300 yards of a bull.

On the off chance I don't get one, it will be because I passed up on a small one the first day, or those dang muzzleload hunters scared them all off the week before

[Relentlessly Unforgiving]

If I were to be unsuccessful this fall it will be my mind that's fails me. I will be alone in new country for the majority of two weeks. It's been awhile since I've bivaced alone and to be honest I'm concerned. I'm physically fit for the hunt and have been working on my mental toughness to stay out when the going gets tough. It's going to be a challenge mentally and physically and for me, come this September, ANY bull will be a TROPHY!