Elk Hunting Mistakes

[WapitiTalk1]

I could write a book, really. OK, let's share some common elk hunting mistakes. When you do so, follow on with a way to avoid or overcome the mistake you mentioned.

Mistake: Getting busted by a silent bull coming in to a cold calling setup/advertising sequence when you decide to move on and leave the spot too early. I've also had them come into and locate bugle, looking for what "was" there, from the same spot I obviously had left too early.

Remedy: Be patient in these types of setups (watching, listening, and even smelling for incoming elk) for up to 30 minutes or more, especially if you suspect there are elk in the area.

[DaleL]

Phanton16 when you cold call, do you pick a good looking area that has elk sign but you have not heard one? Or are you calling in an area that you know there has been a bull say from a previous day or morning.

[WapitiTalk1]

Phanton16 when you cold call, do you pick a good looking area that has elk sign but you have not heard one? Or are you calling in an area that you know there has been a bull say from a previous day or morning.

Dale, yes to both. I use cold calling primarily (but not solely) in the earlier part of the season when perhaps the bull's are not quite as vocal. Recent elk sign, an area you know that has held elk, or even a spot that you may have heard an earlier season squeak are all target areas. Bottom line, cold calling should be employed in areas that you have an idea may hold elk. Sometimes, you'll give it a whirl in an area that just seems "elky" The goal in cold calling is to create curiosity by simulating a small group of elk and perhaps bring one in to check your location out. Cold calling can coax both cows and bulls to come your way.

[Indian Summer]

Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. One example would be hunting an area that just isn't producing. I think people get comfortable just because they have enough time invested to know their way around. Maybe they saw a little sign. So they think they can do better next time and next time. Instead they should move on before wasting another season. You'll know when you hit paydirt. That is when are you are into elk more often than you are not.

[Trophyhill]

Being passive when I should have been aggressive......both in actions and calling. Still learning how to recognize when it's go time. Each situation is different.

[Fridaythe13th]

This has to do with being aggressive as well. Last year 3 of us were moving in on what we thought was a heard bull. We moved in to about 150 yds and seen a satellite bull down the hill maybe 70 yds out, we set up and called, the heard bull bugled back, a different bull straight in front of us bugled, and the bull right down the hill came on a trot up the hill. We made a good hit on the bull, did our high fives found him took pictures and stared to quarter him out.
This is were we should have been aggressive those two bulls bugled back and forth no more than 200 yds away the entire time (3 hours) we were taking care of his dead bull. One of us should have broke off and tried to hunt those 2 bulls. Called rookie mistake the wind was right the bulls were very active. We were just happy with 1, not greedy enough.

[DaleL]

Fridaythe13th, easy to get caught up in the moment and you know what they say about hindsight. That will be a memory you'll never forget.

[ishy]

Friday, another thing to consider is if it's even an option and if you are able to handle that amount of meat. Doubles are great, but you have to be that much more careful about heat and how far in you are before you take out two elk on the same day.

[Fridaythe13th]

Friday, another thing to consider is if it's even an option and if you are able to handle that amount of meat. Doubles are great, but you have to be that much more careful about heat and how far in you are before you take out two elk on the same day.

You are right, we struggled with having enough stuff to get one out (1st elk with bow). But we do have 6 people in are group and it might have been a long night. This year we are planning on getting a elk before we leave camp. Have a list of what everyone should be carrying.
What a day, I bet those 2 bulls bugles 300-400 times that day

[WapitiTalk1]

Mistake: Having long distance conversations with a bull.

Remedy: It's very cool to bugle back and forth with a distant bull but it really gets you nowhere. If you hear a bull bugle unsolicited, and you have a general idea of where he may be, there is no need to toot your horn. Chances are, he'll sound off several more times on his own as you close the distance to his location. Once in tight, within 80 yards or less, then it's time to decide if calling is needed (and which type of calling) to potentially get a shot.

This same principal should be applied to hunter locate bugling also. If you get an answer, there is really no need for follow on calling until you close the distance. If you're sitting on a point at night, getting ready to do some night time locating and hear a bugle down in the draw or on an adjacent sidehill, you're done.... no need to toot your horn just to see if he'll answer back. Come back in the morning and he'll still be there, most likely letting you know where he's at or going with his singing.

[DaleL]

Great info. I'm like a sponge taking it all in

[2011bullyelk]

My biggest mistake was passing on a 300 plus inch bull opening morning on a fairly coveted rifle tag (we had seen 18 bulls that day after all). I just knew I could find a bigger one.......the spike I put my tag on tasted pretty good....

[POk3s]

Usually my mistakes are being too aggressive.

I'm usually by myself so I try and set the hook in my calling to where I feel he's coming and then move up 50 yards or so. Been busted a time or two doing that. Also called to where I thought he was coming....and he's not coming. So i move up and then try again. over and over. Before long I'm within striking distance of the bull and instead of sneaking in quietly and hopefully arrowing him, I'm too close and he knows he should be able to see an elk and game over.

Cold calling I always seem to be facing the wrong direction! 3 times last year I had good bulls come in behind me and busted me trying to move. One came in DIRECTLY behind me and I had to move just to see him. Game over. I don't really know how I can correct that though. I'm looking into the area I think has elk and trying to call them out. My bet is they're coming from that direction, just circling me as they come in silent.

[CurlyTail]

Mistake: Defining a successful hunt as "getting a trophy Bull Elk", or getting one bigger than your last one. Also considering yourself unsuccessful if you don't get an animal this year.

Any Elk is a trophy- Cow, Spike, Raghorn, or Herd Bull - or you are not giving the animal the respect it deserves. You are not a better hunter than your buddy just because you harvested a larger Elk this year. In other words, if you are hunting to enlarge your ego, then you are missing out on the best part about Elk hunting - the preparation/anticipation, time with family/friends, the meat, the outdoor experiences, the challenge, time spent in Elk country etc.

[Raghorn_Reaper]

Oh boy where do I start? The one I am most ashamed of is I setup on a wallow for the evening. I bugled and the bull lit it up. I think I have a somewhat difficult time pinpointing locations by sound so I waited a short time and took it to him, thinking he was moving away. I stepped onto the trail that comes out of the wallow and there he stands on the trail on his way into the wallow where my decoy was waiting for him.

[Bow4me]

I would have to say knowing my target. I've learned to know what I'm willing to shoot on a day to day. That small bull at 30 yards in 2008 haunted my for the rest of the week when I didn't see another elk all week.
I definitely change my target as the hunt goes on but I try not to go home empty.

[Heartwood]

Location bugling and not being prepared for silent bulls approaching your location. Our crew had this happen multiple times last season. Each time the caller was fairly close to bulls that remained silent but were interested in seeing and being near other elk. We will start atleast setting up in these location bugling situations or bugle from spots where we can see elk coming.

[Swede]

I am probably an expert at making mistakes. I have made many of those listed above, starting with RJ's. Indian Summer seemed to boot me when I was down. I have done what he says not to. It is hard to leave a place that has been so good for so long, but there is a time to go. At least I can say I have not passed on a 300 class bull. I know that sounds like a small consolation, since a 300 class bull is huge in the area I hunt.
One mistake I make occasionally as a tree stand hunter, is forgetting. I get in my stand and sit down and start waiting. It occurs to me a little later, I forgot something. It is always a long way back to the truck. Sometimes it is just a matter of getting my rangefinder out of the pack or (I'm embarrassed) putting on my release. Maybe you are smarter than me, but if not, I would recommend a short check list. Have one in your vehicle and one handy on your person. Just don't forget to review it.

[mandrroofing]

I would say. heading in to late and heading out to early.most everyone in my group wants to head in early so there not walking around in the dark.I will be hunting more solo due to this.IM there to hunt not hike!They are missing the best times to be in a good area.Yes you get back later and get less sleep buuuuuuut,aren't you out there to harvest an elk?This season i will not be coming in to early.I think this is one of our biggest mistakes.I would rather hunt with a buddy and share good moments but if it means more encounters then i will hunt solo.So,i would say for me anyways,hunt with someone that likes to hunt like you or go solo...

[Elkduds]

As reported last fall: Don't arm your vehicle alarm if U R sleeping in it, anywhere near your hunting area

[Lefty]

I am probably an expert at making mistakes.

I m in that category too.

My first year archery elk hunting I saw elk six different days hoping/expecting the elk to come to me
"Know" where the elk are headed, stay closer, rather than follow from too far of a distance and lose them.

[six]

hunt with someone that likes to hunt like you or go solo...

Good luck finding that person.

[DaleL]

My biggest mistake? not getting started elk hunting sooner, when I was younger
I will be 50 this September. In good shape and am working on getting in elk shape.

[goblue]

Not taking that 40 yard shot, thinking he's going to get closer. This has happen more then a couple times.

[whaletail]

Couple of my biggest mistakes that come to mind

1. Don't pass on a bull the 1st day that you'd be pleased with the last day:)

2. Being too passive when in tight on a bull and his cows.

3. Hunting too slow. I hunt quite a bit faster than I used to. I cover a lot of ground until I find the elk.

Just a few that come to mind. I could write a book on my mistakes:)

[Gselkhunter]

Every time I see one these threads I chuckle. The single biggest mistake is not using your brain, with all the info out there people tend to avoid it. The knowledge base you could build to help you is amazing. Why wouldn't you acquire it? Every time I hear a guy say he is good enough I laugh. I will never know enough. Every piece of info I can get and use I will take.