Creating New Challenges?

[elk-n-walleye]

As I was reading some magazine articles I thought about how we may challenge ourselves as elk hunters by setting limitations(maturity of a bull, weapon, area etc. So have any of you become so proficient at knowing your area, where the elk will be and how to get close to them that you felt like the experience was less enjoyable? If so did you make some type of change in order to make elk hunting challenging again and therefore a more rewarding experience?

[elk-n-walleye]

If I knew exactly where to find elk (honey hole) and I had no challenge in getting a shot on the biggest bull I’m not sure that experience would be fulfilling year after year. I made a switch last year to archery in a new area out of necessity (not because I achieved what is described above). Regardless, experiencing the new challenges were extremely motivating and ultimately a rewarding experience.

[Indian Summer]

no challenge in getting a shot on the biggest bull.

Trust me that will never happen. I've spent so much time in the same area I knew it better than the elk. think about it... if I was there longer than the lifespan of an elk I at least knew where they preferred to hang. In some cases I could spook elk, watch them run, and get to where they were heading before they did. But not every time and if that resulted in a shot I knew enough about reality to open the door when opportunity knocked. Quite often they would show up... but the big boy got lost somewhere along the way.

I have gotten to the point where I passed on anything but 6 point bulls for the first week or so of a hunt. Sometimes I ended up regretting that too though.

To answer the question: I like the challenge of looking at a new area where I have never been, looking at the topo map and Google Earth.... and going in blind and killing a bull based on my plan which comes from experience both in where elk like to spend their time... and what to exact from other hunters. Put an X or three on a map and go kill a bull there.

One benefit of being able to do that is that if anything changes for the worse in the place I am hunting it's not a total disaster. I can take a deep breath and go hunt elsewhere with confidence.

[Trophyhill]

Elk hunting with a bow is a challenge in itself. No need to complicate it by creating unnecessary challenges.

[elk-n-walleye]

Elk hunting with a bow is a challenge in itself.

Agreed, it was a whole other ball game. This is probably why I won't return to rifle hunting except for seasons after I don't get an elk with a bow and I need meat in the freezer.

[ElkNut1]

I've hunted many of our elk areas for many years now & my son & I have put down countless elk due to the fact that we know our country better than many others who also hunt it! But by no means are we so confident that we feel it is no longer a challenge. It's like saying you're tired of hearing bulls bugling because you've heard so many in your life-time, it just doesn't happen even after nearly 40 years! (grin) Elk hunting is a true challenge, not just the hunt but the entire experience of scouting, hunting, tracking blood & packing meat back to camp! No sir it doesn't get old!

ElkNut1

[elk-n-walleye]

I've hunted many of our elk areas for many years now & my son & I have put down countless elk due to the fact that we know our country better than many others who also hunt it! But by no means are we so confident that we feel it is no longer a challenge. It's like saying you're tired of hearing bulls bugling because you've heard so many in your life-time, it just doesn't happen even after nearly 40 years! (grin) Elk hunting is a true challenge, not just the hunt but the entire experience of scouting, hunting, tracking blood & packing meat back to camp! No sir it doesn't get old!

ElkNut1

good to hear! I've have just heard of deer hunters in my home town that show up at there favorite spot opening morning shoot a deer and are done for the rest of the season. That didn't sound like it would be to exciting year after year.

[welka]

Never had the luxury of being in the same place enough years to know it that well. Would be a good problem to have. Remember that the big bulls are big for a reason and that leads to unpredictability. Good luck.

[elkaholic]

Outsmarting elk enough to get within bow range is a constant challenge. Knowing the area helps but it still isn't a sure thing. Going into the same area again only amplifies the excitement of the challenge to get within bow range. Still there are so many variables associated with elk hunting it creates it's own set of challenges. That is part of why I LOVE it.

[Gselkhunter]

I don't find it about putting elk on the ground. It is the match of wills that I enjoy. If I put a 340 bull with in 40yds and let him walk or watch the guy I am calling for turn into jello that is OK. In the 27yrs I have been elk hunting just seeing the sheer hatred for me on the face of a pissed bull is good enough. I don't see how you couldn't enjoy that.