new guy here - need opinions/advice

[powderhogg01]

Hey all, I have been lurking the forum for a long while now, having only hunted elk a few time I never really had a reason to get involved. I have fixed that problem. This season I am trying to get an elk with my bow. I live in colorado, am hunting unit 38. I wanted to share a story of my day today, and see if I can get a few pointers as to the next move.
I was still hunting the timbers, for mule deer actually, decided I might as well try some elk assembly mews, having seen a few fresh elk tracks in the area. I did one set of calls about once an hour, while moving slowly along. I would call and sit for half an hour then move on. I worked up onto a shelf which had been logged years ago, and noticed a real nice sittin' log. real smooth, perfectly level, It basically was calling me to sit and take a break. I much obliged. While sitting there eating a cracker I heard some branches break below me, where some willows and mucky stuff met the thick timber. I sat and watched and sure enough, about 40 maybe 50 yards is a nice bull elk. This timber is thick, I can only see pieces and parts, but clearly his antlers and back. I need this bull to move about 15 yards closer in order to get a shot, so I let off a muffled mew, he looked my way but did not change what he was up to in there, just milling around. I sat up there knowing I would not be able to drop off this shelf to get closer without making noise or loosing my good wind so I sat tight. The elk did his thing for about 15 minutes before turning and walking away from me into the wind. I remembered something from a book I read about being aggressive, then I thought about something I heard on RHR about being too close and a light bugle might piss the elk off. I let off a light bugle, aiming to not sound too big or intimidating, then grabbed a stick and started racking a tree that had a nice rub on it. To my surprise it worked, the bull immediately stopped progress, turned and walked back towards me. I made a loop in the bottom but would not come up the bench, nor would he ever make a sound. He paused behind a large pine at 20 yards, where I was positive I could stick him if he stepped out, but instead he just stood there then disappeared, never giving up that crucial shot.
It was not until he had walked off, up the other side and into the thick stuff that I Moved down to where he was, it was real mucky and muddy in there. My question for you more experienced guys and gals, would it be worth sitting over this spot all day for the next few days? would that answer change if say he had winded me? help me out here, im new to elk and not sure on the best play. I talked to a few friends in town who said he likely smelled me and is long gone by now, surely if he smelled me he would have taken off out of there in a hurry, he did not, simply faded into the thick. In the event he did wind me, would that cause him not to return to that same hole?

[baddaddy]

Welcome Sam to the forum. I'm gonna guess he didn't wind you. Might try a decoy in there so he has a visual on whats making the noise. just an idea.

[powderhogg01]

the wind was in my face during the entire encounter, I really doubt he winded me. I do not have a decoy, or even the funds for one. I was considering setting up in the same spot tomorrow at first light and just waiting, assuming the wind is good for it. I found his tracks in and out of it, looks like he gets in through an old logging or mule road, and he left via a well used game trail that heads to a full on creek.

[Indian Summer]

Nice to meet you Sam.

My 2 cents on your post: What you did is learn a piece of the puzzle. Keep learning pieces and soon you'll see the big picture. That spot is likely a good one to cross paths with elk in the future. But elk have big home ranges so it's hard to say when he will be back. BUT... maybe another one will use that area since it seems to have the things elk like. Keep hunting the same area and you'll see elk in other places too. Then eventually you can connect the dots on what will be your milk run..... a route that is made up of several places where you know elk have been spotted.

By the sounds of it I don't think that bull winded you.

Thanks for posting. Everyone has something to contribute to this sight no matter how much experience you have or how successful you've been. Hope to see you here more often.

[powderhogg01]

I spent my first 2 weeks in the high country timberline zone chasing muledeer. With that out of the way I have spent the last week chasing elk, they have not been vocal in my area. I have a week left to fill my tag, I have never put so much effort into bowhunting before. All season I scouted, ive been out nearly every day this month, in the thunder and lightning, in the snow.. I am hoping things will work out for me soon...

[ST52V]

That sounds like a prime place to place a trail camera!! It will show you what is using that trail and how often. May also help connect the dots along with some map study. Maybe that trail heads to a saddle or a pinch point of some kind? Keep at it!!!

[powderhogg01]

sally this area has a lot of people who take things. I have lost 2 cameras, a tree stand as well as the spare tire off my truck while out in the woods. I don't think many humans come into this spot, but would not risk the camera getting stolen again.. I do not make much income, and this passion gets pricey, especially with thieves about