Day 1of 3 success and failure, need advice

by **Navesgane** » 09 03, 2014 • [Post 1]

Today was my first day of actually hunting for elk and what a day it was! I'm backpacking in the Unchompagre national forrest and have to go back to work Sunday. I spent Maoist of the morning scouting and found several wallows alongside a trail and set up near one. Sat for hours and didn't see or hear a single elk. It was getting late so I said what the heck I may as well try this call-promos lip service. I've never called an elk in before but have had them bugle back at me when hiking/scouting last season late archery season. Well I made a call and low and behold I heard a bugle in what I thought was the distance- very faint bugle. So I replied after a while and so did he, only this time he ha covered a serious amount of ground to my left-west. I realized he was closer than what I thought so that led me to beleive he was a small elk with a young voice. After a few replies and receives I see what looked like tree branches moving in the distance about 60 yards away then I see the entire elk.... Heart starts beating out of my chest with shakes following. He gets about 45 yards out a holds. I didn't feel confident enough to make the shot at that distance. Then he turns and runs.... In guessing he was at least a 4x4 but I really want to say better. Not sure what my game plan should be for the next few days, should I go after him again tomorrow or give him a day or so? This is public land and I did see another hunter coming up the trail as I was leaving before dark. Should I try for a cow or somewhere else tomorrow and try to get a first elk?? My gut tells me I should go after him again but I feel like I'm way out of my league on this one.

by **dreamhunter** » 09 03, 2014 • [Post 2]

Dude,try again and go get him.Your not out of your league.Thats why your there so you can be in his league and take him down. Now go get him and come back with victory reports and pics.

by **otcWill** » 09 04, 2014 • [Post 3]

Just keep hunting! Going after that particular bull is not really relavant. It is doubtful that you'll call him in with the same stuff he already learned from. But, if there was a bull in the area it is likely that there are others. Stick with it and keep hunting. Don't forget to move a lil ways from where you do your calling. Good luck!

by **Indian Summer** » 09 04, 2014 • [Post 4]

Ditto Will. Just keep at it.

The title to your thread says failure but I think that is inappropriate. It was a total success. Day one and you found elk. You don't always hit a homer on the first pitch. So go back and wait for the next pitch only a little wiser. Don't get caught up on that wallow though either. When he doesn't show up you'll be thinking well... if he doesn't come looking for me I might have to go looking for him and that would be correct.

And remember, you don't fish for big fish, you just fish and reel in whatever bites. Maybe the next one will be a nice 5 or 6 point and you'll be glad you didn't filet that one! But if you have never killed an elk then yes.... I'd say shoot the first one you can and move on from there.

Good luck!

by **elkmtngear** » 09 04, 2014 • [Post 5]

Just a suggestion...next time you are sure he is committed...call and move ahead and to one side, in the direction you expect him to come in from.

He will be fixated on the spot where the last call came from...and you will have closed the gap, eliminating the longer shot!

by **Indian Summer** » 09 04, 2014 • [Post 6]

elkmtngear wrote:Just a suggestion...next time you are sure he is committed...call and move ahead and to one side, in the direction you expect him to come in from.

He will be fixated on the spot where the last call came from...and you will have closed the gap, eliminating the longer shot!

Why didn't I think of that!

by **easeup** » 09 04, 2014 • [Post 7]

Indian Summer wrote:Ditto Will. Just keep at it.

The title to your thread says failure but I think that is inappropriate. It was a total success. Day one and you found elk. You don't always hit a homer on the first pitch. So go back and wait for the next pitch only a little wiser. Don't get caught up on that wallow though either. When he doesn't show up you'll be thinking well... if he doesn't come looking for me I might have to go looking for him and that would be correct.

And remember, you don't fish for big fish, you just fish and reel in whatever bites. Maybe the next one will be a nice 5 or 6 point and you'll be glad you didn't filet that one! But if you have never killed an elk then yes.... I'd say shoot the first one you can and move on from there.

Good luck!

good call, coach!!

by **Navesgane** » 09 04, 2014 • [Post 8]

Thanks guys! Been hunting all day in a different area. spooked one as I was walking this am and thought I would work my way up in the direction it headed. Found what looks like some recent tree rubs and a scrape. First elk scrape I've ever seen but definitely elk, smells just like one. Will follow up soon. Fwiw- I cant believe the cell service/reception in this area!

by **Navesgane** » 09 05, 2014 • [Post 9]

Day three; set up early this am on the wood line of a small meadow hoping to catch one walking by. After a short time I see a huge cow walk out over 100 yards, followed by four very large mule buck deer... My first thought was man I wish I had a deer tag...and a rifle (hopefully next year will have enough pp), my next was- what an incredibly smart lady to surround herself with obvious very high skilled survivors of the game of hunting that she can just openly graze without a care in the world. And that's exactly what she did as the bucks were cautiously scanning, listening and smelling every few seconds. I watched them for a while as they grazed off into the woods. Has anyone else ever seen this before?
This was a great first elk hunting trip that I'll remember forever. Being that I'm only 30 minutes from the trailhead I think I'm gonna have to scratch out my calendar for the rest of this month!