Sticking to What You do Best

[Trophyhill]

Elk hunters are all different. Some have great coordination and agility, some used to have it, some are great callers, some are great stalkers, some are great shooters, and the list goes on as long as my arm. Oh and some can do it all. So where do you fit in?
Have you found a niche? Are you doing things others aren't to up your odds?

[easeup]

.....a has been.................on most things listed.....

However, I have always got a smile on my face, a gleam in the eye, and faith that can move a mountain.

[Indian Summer]

I have always got a smile on my face, a gleam in the eye, and faith that can move a mountain.

I love that easup!!!

[flystrait]

Now is this a trick question. It just seems really loaded to me I'm with the older crowed!

[Trophyhill]

Now is this a trick question. It just seems really loaded to me I'm with the older crowed!

And I was always told we get better with age?

[Trophyhill]

.....a has been.................on most things listed.....

However, I have always got a smile on my face, a gleam in the eye, and faith that can move a mountain.

I believe the second paragraph. I have my doubts about the first one though lol

[Swede]

For hunting elk I have time, determination, patience, a stubborn streak that won't let me quit, a love for the quest that reminds me I enjoy the hunt, even when good sense would say should quit, and just enough knowledge to get by. The tenacity to go out for that last hunt, when others say "you have done all you can and it is time to quit", has proven deadly on elk. I never really outsmart the elk. I just outlast them.

[LongShot]

Now is this a trick question. It just seems really loaded to me I'm with the older crowed!

I'm in there with ya, flystrait.
I can't run and gun all day anymore. About 1/2 day and my legs say "No more!". I can still fling arrows pretty good, but the targets gets awful small after 50 yards. I'm more patient now, and I get better shot opportunities.

[elk.addict]

I guess I'm a lot like Swede in that I am determined and persistent. I have 1 hunting buddy that is REALLY good at sneaking up close to elk, it's actually quit impressive. And nothing gets by him in the timber; he's observant and always seems to find the elk before they find him. I have another buddy that is the 'elk whisperer'; this guy can call in the most stubborn herd bulls when others could not.

Then there's me. I'm ok at calling them in and spot 'n stock, but no expert by any stretch. But I put the miles on, persistent and don't get discouraged (well maybe sometimes). Eventually, with enough encounters, I can close the deal one way or another. And I guess I'm good when it's time to make a good shot.

[elkmtngear]

Now is this a trick question. It just seems really loaded to me I'm with the older crowed!

Me too. However, old age and treachery beats youth and vitality every time!

On my elk hunts...I've become much more treacherous lately

[Elkduds]

Writing as another "mature, experienced, old school" hunter. Two of my strengths are:

Preparation: I spend all year maintaining gear, getting educated, considering new terrain, scouting online and onsite, practicing for accuracy/consistency, keeping fit. When season comes, I am ready and so is my gear.

Persistence: Out early, back late. Be there in bad weather. Find and follow the elk. Hunt multiple seasons when possible.

Working to improve:

Calling (w lots of help from this forum, thanks again), patience, knowlege, archery skills.

[Duck-Slayer]

For hunting elk I have time, determination, patience, a stubborn streak that won't let me quit, a love for the quest that reminds me I enjoy the hunt, even when good sense would say should quit, and just enough knowledge to get by. The tenacity to go out for that last hunt, when others say "you have done all you can and it is time to quit", has proven deadly on elk. I never really outsmart the elk. I just outlast them.

that's my philosophy on life......
Matt

[bloodarrow]

Keeping in mind, if we continually stick to what we do best, we never find out if there is a new 'best' out there. Im fairly new to this Elk game, and started fairly late in my hunting career at it, but I sure love the whole aspect of being out there in the wilderness chasing those beautiful animals. Preparation and stick-to-it-ness are certainly traits that are much needed, and something I can apply from other 'bests' in my life. Im hoping that this fall i find out something new that is my 'best' and while I did call in a nice 5x5 to 30 yards with my rifle, I am very much looking forward to taking a big bull elk with an arrow for the first time!!

[elk-n-walleye]

if we continually stick to what we do best, we never find out if there is a new 'best'

+1, love this comment bloodstream as it applies to life in general! As for hunting, I'll continue to run and gun while working on other aspects of archery hunting.

[Lefty]

I have a knack for finding game, where it should be and when.
I have a mental game
Im pretty good at getting close

But the rest all needs a lot of work

[husky390]

I just go until I find elk. Not screwing up the end game has been the hard part.

[Trophyhill]

Keeping in mind, if we continually stick to what we do best, we never find out if there is a new 'best' out there. Im fairly new to this Elk game, and started fairly late in my hunting career at it, but I sure love the whole aspect of being out there in the wilderness chasing those beautiful animals. Preparation and stick-to-it-ness are certainly traits that are much needed, and something I can apply from other 'bests' in my life. Im hoping that this fall i find out something new that is my 'best' and while I did call in a nice 5x5 to 30 yards with my rifle, I am very much looking forward to taking a big bull elk with an arrow for the first time!!

Finding out what we do best only comes from our experiences. Once we know our strengths and weaknesses we start to develop our individual hunting styles which should be constantly evolving. Along with that come adjustments. For example my cow calling with a diaphragm isn't where I think it should be. My adjustment for this is using open reed cow calls.

Just the same we should always be challenging ourselves to improve our weaknesses so we can be that versatile elk killer we need to be.

[Stick]

Not actually new to this site or forum but had tech issues and had to revamp. Just said that so I didn't get attacked for a greenhorn right off!,

Something I think is a real separator that you never hear mentioned much is Woodman-ship! That's the term we always used and I have heard it used often from folks from the Virginia Blue Ridge area. That ability that comes natural it cannot be taught but it can be developed! Some have it some don't it seems. Perpetration, practice, and time all play a major roll but I have seen some people that none of that would have made them anymore successful in the woods. If you don't believe it you will have to explain why the 10% kill 90% of the animals!

Having said that if I had to put a list together with a #1 on it I believe adaptability would be at the top! Success for me has come through thinking outside the box and pushing myself to the limits. Out hunt em, out walk em, and hope you have that little something that separates you from the pack!!