Share an Elkhunting Tip, August 2014

[WapitiTalk1]

Figured since another wapiti season is nearly upon us, we'd run one of these again

Calling, stalking, equipment, bivy camps, packing list gotta haves, survival, navigation, etc. Please share a tip that has worked for you in the elk woods. Big or small, let's hear them.

I'll start. I carry two contractor grade black plastic sacks in my pack (and have for many years). In a pinch, they can actually provide shelter for the night, use them to line your pack so the meat bags don't leak through, and, they provide impromtu "waders" when you can't find a log to crawl across a raging stream and don't want to soak your boots/pants.

[ishy]

Probably the best gear I have discovered that few people know about is Blue Star. It's a blood tracking spray that law enforcement uses to make blood glow in the dark. They make a cheap version for hunters now that only costs around $10 for 4 applications. It comes in packs with two tablets you mix with any water in a spray bottle. This stuff is amazing, it doesn't fix a bad shot but especially in the rain it will make a tracking job tons easier as it spreads out the hemoglobin and widens the trail. We've used it and could see particulates smaller with the lights off with bluestar than we could with are lights on where we knew blood was. I don't carry it in my backpack, but will always have it in camp after seening it work.

[bigmart]

I bought an on demand hot water heater a couple years ago for our base camp, it will not help you kill an elk
but its the best shower in camp you can have, just like home.

[under H2O hunter]

Fitted Cotton Sheets with zipper work well as game bags for a whole elk. Ravens can help you to locate dead animals. Lint from your clothes dryer works really well as fire starter and it's light weight.

[8seconds]

I tape the medium size container of chili powder to my game bags to shake on the game bag to keep the blow flys and bees away. Plus if i have to leave some (which i usually do) and come back for it, critters won't bother it as they don't like chili powder on their lunch. Cheap remedy for a recurring problem.

Ah, take an old 35mm cannister full of honey with you during the day. It is a refreshing and quick energy boost when you need a second wind. I have done this for years; you'll be surprised.

[Gypsumreaper]

I started carrying an emergency bivy sack, an emergency tarp with me both have the same properties as space blankets and provide a wrap around sleeping system to keep you warm as well as the tarp is very thick you could use for almost anything, shelter, putting meat on, a blanket to out down for warmth or wrap up in it if the bivy just isn't cutting it, I've spent a night in the bivy when I got into good elk country and didn't wanna pack back out, but I always have my stove and a ration of food for that reason, or if I wound something late in the evening I stay out so I can get an early start on trAcking, both are made by SOL (survive outdoors longer) but I call them my sh!t outa luck gear.

[Stick]

Some of the country we hunt have some pretty serious holes. When it's about an hour before dark I will drink 1/2 of a 5 hour energy unbelievable the difference it makes on that climb out after a hard day of hunting. Also I don't use 5 hour at any other time so my body is not immune to the kick, that happens when you use this stuff all the time.
Also start my morning with some serious vitamin intake.

[Drawnandpinned]

Take three shots a day at different yardages like 20 30 30 and be done cause ur first shot better be ur best in this sport

[twinkieman]

Be confident in your calling! IMO part of calling, no matter what the species, is attitude. Have confidence that what you are doing WILL work!

[Swede]

From late morning through mid afternoon the elk are normally bedded. They will get up to move back into the shade or go to water.
Waiting at a water hole can be productive mid day.
Avoid intruding into elk bedding areas. You can get close to their bedding area, and prompt one to check you out, by just making short nonaggressive bugles and raking.

[Navesgane]

Store all but one battery in your headlamp- it's a real bummer to have an entire set of batteries dead when you go to use it and realize it was accidentally turned on sometime in the day while shifting around in the pack.

[Fridaythe13th]

Don't look at your feet when walking out. I was tired, that cow and calf thank me for that as they walk away.

[Screaming_btf]

Go slower and stop to listen more, you can miss bugles or ELK talk very easy when moving.

[twinkieman]

Trim your toenails, long toenails are the single biggest cause of goretex failure in a boot. It also makes steep downhill descents easier on your feet.

[BrentLaBere]

Do NOT walk from point A to point B to just get to a spot to hunt. Hunt all the way
Learn something new about hunting your area everyday you are there (especially those of us traveling to get there). How the thermals work in drainage X. A new game trail. Finding a new wallow or seep on the mountain side. Just a few examples.
If you are in a group, be the backbone.....always encourage and never discourage. Be positive when things are tough, always looking forward to the next adventure.

[Mikeha33]

Do NOT walk from point A to point B to just get to a spot to hunt. Hunt all the way

^^^^This. I didn't do enough of this last year. We're there to hunt, not to hike, so hunt the entire time! I'll be hunting even at 1 am, when I rip off a couple of location bugles to see if any prospects are in the area.

[Lefty]

Eat well and sleep well.

A good nights sleep is important, I take 3 mg of Melatonin; The nights Im sore I add Advil PM
Camping from the back of a pickup I have a comfortable sleep system A 1/2" solid closed cell foam on the floor of the tent A large full-sized Terma=rest type mattress fully inflated on top of 2 inch foam pad and my pillow from home.

My CPAP really gives me f quality sleep
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Ultimate-Sleeping-Pads/1317751.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dsleeping%2Bpad%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=sleeping+pad&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products
And a tablespoon of Metamucil every morning