What's Holding You Back?

by **ElkNut1** » 07 04, 2015 • [Post 1]

We have a lot of Elk Hunters here! Many of us enjoy hunting them every year but there are those who just cannot do it, what holds you back?

Is it your job, distance, money, spouse, time, other priorities, kids, no place to hunt, physical conditioning, etc. -- Many would be interested here to see what the various reasons are not to hunt elk yearly! Thanks!

ElkNut1

by **zpd307** » 07 04, 2015 • [Post 2]

paul, this does not pertain to me.....

but the guys I know have given me a long list of different reasons why they cant come with, even though they would love to go. you have listed then already.... cost is a big factor with time off a big second and following closely in 3rd is being in shape. since I go archery and will be extending my hunt even longer, from 10 days last year to 13 days, many guys don't have or want to burn that much vacation. do to my drive time, 22 hours, I have to take an additional 3 days off for a total of 16..... with that amount of time some guys cant or don't want to be gone that long from the family. Colorado rifle season would be a better fit for them.

by **Pop-r** » 07 04, 2015 • [Post 3]

It's just about priorities! Luckily, mine are spending 30+ days a year in elk country! Some people make other things theirs. If you have the fever it just is a have to!. Unless you've made other obligations with your life that keep you from it.

by **BrentLaBere** » 07 06, 2015 • [Post 4]

Work this year for me. Trying to schedule around it is certainly getting frustrating. I have vacation time set for the week of September 14th through the 18th and allowing until the 23rd if necessary. Excited about trying later part of the month, all of my hunts have been in the earlier part so far. Now with work I might be traveling that week! Which would push my hunt to the last week of September and possibly into October. Is it worth it? Weather problems ect.... Really wanted to experience the best bugling action I could but might test my luck going into the post rut. Although, I have heard good things from some salty elk killers that some elk will still be responsive that late in Montanas season.

by **Lefty** » 07 06, 2015 • [Post 5]

I started teaching twenty-three years ago. The purpose was to be able to spend time with my wife and kids. I was a bit of a workaholic
Lack of hunting time, the ability to take time from work, and lack of money are all part of teaching, and what teaching has become in Idaho.
For most of my educational career I made decent money and had summer school and construction jobs lined-up. So we had the money for us to hunt.

I will state that family comes first, they really dont hold me back... because I try to take my wife and daughters along.
Available time- off and money :cry:

by **Tigger** » 07 06, 2015 • [Post 6]

I have been going every other year. What holds me back from every year is primarily family obligations. I have 3 kids and a wife who want to spend time with me and the kids are too young to take along. I would love to go every year! Also, it is a little hard to find other people who can go every year. I have a great group going this year, but I don't think it is in the cards for them to go every year either. Time off I can handle, money can be figured out, distance certainly hurts as it is additional time away from the family, but the biggest is the time away from family.

by **ishy** » 07 06, 2015 • [Post 7]

Spouse. If I hunt locally I am told I am out of control and way out of line for wanting to spend the time I do in the field. If I hunt out of the area it seems to go a little better, but I have to scrap for ten days (what I have told her is a minimum).

by **Fridaythe13th** » 07 06, 2015 • [Post 8]

Not knowing where to go. The 1st year we knew a guy who knew a guy :roll:

right. They went to Pogosa Springs CO. So my 1st question was, did they get any elk? answer: ever year they brought home elk, great we have an area. Now were do we stay, no tent, no outdoor camping experience. Who is coming with and where do they want to sleep? How much is it going to cost? Found a cabin out side of town $127 per person if we have 6 people. great another hurdle done with. Now where in this 3 zone are the elk. I ask the other group members were they want to hunt in this zones, all I could here was cricket chirping.
The thing that pissed me off the most was after the 19 hour drive straight through the night and rolling in to Pagosa Springs at 11 am unpacking all of are gear. We were going to take a drive and find a place to go hunting, the other 5 guys looked at me and said now were!

I had a couple of area pick out. I said I would like to check out these areas. How do we get there? Were do we park? Where are the elk?

Did anybody else look at a map? It's was my 1st year of ever being in the mountains, with my goals set very low (hoping to see a elk) was my goal.

So after this story.... Not knowing were to go, and as a rookie planning for 5 other adult. On a bright note we did manage to get an elk on the 2nd day and I was hooked for life. Now that we are a little more seasoned It's much easier to change states and zones.
I like the planning now it's half the fun.

by **MT Bound** » 07 07, 2015 • [Post 9]

Nothing holds me back anymore, I go. While the kids where growing up I balanced my hunting desires with the family needs, now that the kids are in high school and college I go when I want. As my username suggests, I hope to be living in MT in two years once my son goes off to college, something I've been looking forward to for a long, long, long time.....

by **Lark Bunting** » 07 07, 2015 • [Post 10]

Finding elk. This will be my third year "hunting" but the first year I seriously had no idea what I was doing so one one hand I only count the last two years...but I did learn a few things from our first year out so I guess I should count it as well. I have received information from very generous members here and other sites but I still have trouble deciphering the area once I am there. That directly relates to my next biggest hurdle, scouting time. I never have enough time to scout, at least like I want.

We're learning each time we hit the woods, we're having fun, I got my first deer last year, but I'd really like to get some close encounters with elk this year!

by **elkstalker** » 07 07, 2015 • [Post 11]

We make choices based on our priorities, and currently my hunting priorities are 1) getting into the woods every fall 2) putting meat in the freezer and 3) shooting a nice bull or buck. Some years, this means I take a cow, other years I'm able to shoot a nice bull or buck, but since my higher priority is filling the freezer and feeding the family, I don't hold out

I'm sure there will come a day when I can spend enough time in the woods that I can take a bull and even a nice one every year, but I'm just not there yet. Other than that the only thing holding me back is time, there are only 24 hours in the day.

by **NCelkhtr** » 07 09, 2015 • [Post 12]

Money. Its just so expensive that I only get to go on an elk hunt every other year. Taking 2 weeks off work, driving across the country, and paying the price for a tag is just too expensive for me to do every year. It drives me crazy though. I honestly think about it every day, 365 days a year. I am 28 and me and my wife are trying to start a family so there is things I have to spend my money on other than elk tags and road trips across the country, I know that these things are more important but in the back of my mind all I want to do is go chase elk. I also put in for Kentucky tags every year just cause it would be a much cheaper trip for me, but have never gotten drawn. I have drove up there just to walk through the woods and look at the elk and listen to them, but its just not the same as the west.

by **elkstalker** » 07 09, 2015 • [Post 13]

NCelkhtr,
Maybe it's time to consider a move?

If you haven't started having kids yet it may be easier to move now than later!

by **Charina** » 07 09, 2015 • [Post 14]

NCelkhtr wrote:me and my wife are trying to start a family so there is things I have to spend my money on other than elk tags and road trips across the country

Oh boy! (or perhaps a girl) That is what held me back for 14 years! It was 14 years between my first elk hunt, and my second. One income, three kids, school, and then school loans, etc, etc, really cuts into discretionary funds. To everything there is a time and a season.

Sure is a lot easier elk hunting if you live within an hour or two drive of your hunting destination. If you've got the bug that bad, perhaps a move is something to consider as elkstalker suggested. UT has a strong and diversified economy with a really low unemployment rate. I live near SLC, and can be in elk country in less than an hour in four different directions. My chosen OTC spot for this year is just a tad over 2 hours from door to camp. With drive times like that, you can do weekend hunting with no time off (if the wife supports such a habit), and spend far less in gas than coming from across the country.

by **Ridge Ghost** » 07 09, 2015 • [Post 15]

BrentLaBere wrote:Work this year for me. Trying to schedule around it is certainly getting frustrating. I have vacation time set for the week of September 14th through the 18th and allowing until the 23rd if necessary. Excited about trying later part of the month, all of my hunts have been in the earlier part so far. Now with work I might be traveling that week! Which would push my hunt to the last week of September and possibly into October. Is it worth it? Weather problems ect.... Really wanted to experience the best bugling action I could but might test my luck going into the post rut. Although, I have heard good things from some salty elk killers that some elk will still be responsive that late in Montanas season.

I have had good bugling action the last week of September and even into the first week of October. It's more hit and miss come October, but you can still have plenty of action.

by **Indian Summer** » 07 09, 2015 • [Post 16]

Pop-r wrote:It's just about priorities!

Bingo! But.. that's a big statement. Obviously family is a priority. But if you did things the right way you should have a family that supports you and is happy that you're able to do the things you love. Unfortunately I know a few guys who have wives who can't stand it when they are happy. I never could figure that out. If I was in that situation I'd hunt elk more hoping she'd be gone by the time I got back.

There's a saying that goes tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life. So if you're not living life to the fullest make a change. Yeah I know.... easier said than done.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 07 09, 2015 • [Post 17]

Too many days at work, lol.

by **BrentLaBere** » 07 10, 2015 • [Post 18]

Ridge Ghost wrote:
BrentLaBere wrote:Work this year for me. Trying to schedule around it is certainly getting frustrating. I have vacation time set for the week of September 14th through the 18th and allowing until the 23rd if necessary. Excited about trying later part of the month, all of my hunts have been in the earlier part so far. Now with work I might be traveling that week! Which would push my hunt to the last week of September and possibly into October. Is it worth it? Weather problems ect.... Really wanted to experience the best bugling action I could but might test my luck going into the post rut. Although, I have heard good things from some salty elk killers that some elk will still be responsive that late in Montanas season.

I have had good bugling action the last week of September and even into the first week of October. It's more hit and miss come October, but you can still have plenty of action.

Glad to hear it. Thanks for posting that Ridge Ghost. Latest bugle I have heard in the area I will be hunting was around October 5th. The weather pushed me out and every time snow hits, im talking about a foot or more, the bugling action goes to zero. Although one cant predict the weather....
had my fiancee tell me the other day that she wants me to keep hunting elk. She wants me to be sane......I think thats good support? :lol:

by **GetOutside** » 07 12, 2015 • [Post 19]

Time and money. I'm just about to roll into my 30s and have a full house of little ones. Working in the nuclear power industry, I have a rotating schedule that keeps me away or sleeping for much of the week, leading me to play catch-up around the house and devoting spare time to my wife and kids. The income is great and theoretically should allow me to get nice gear and travel out west yearly but bigger checks brings bigger bills. I'll figure it out one of these days. I've got the shelter and rifle and am working on merino clothing. Hopefully by the time I've got what I need, I'll find a buddy locally or online to join me in the backcountry.

by **goblue** » 07 12, 2015 • [Post 20]

I will be hunting again this year, but whats holding me back is do I hunt from a tree stand or call. Let me explain. My hunting buddies and I do alot of running and gunning so to speak. Last year I had a trail cam up all season and at one of my watering holes I had a couple bulls and cows come in every day and sometimes multiple time a day. During this time there was up to six different bulls. This is from Sept 4 on to the end of the season. Whats holding me back is do I sit in a tree and put all my eggs in one basket or run and gun. What do you think?

by **brohymn2** » 07 13, 2015 • [Post 21]

Having 3 weddings this September to close friends, trade school, and just finding out my son has autism are gonna be holding me back this year. Ah well there's always next year

by **Dr. Rx** » 07 13, 2015 • [Post 22]

No more excuses..Never hunted elk. This will be my first hunt ever and I'm going solo.. I'm sure this will be an adventure of a life time. This will be an annual adventure from here on out!

thank you Elk Nuts for inspiring me!

Kris

by **WapitiTalk1** » 07 13, 2015 • [Post 23]

Dr. Rx wrote:No more excuses..Never hunted elk. This will be my first hunt ever and I'm going solo.. I'm sure this will be an adventure of a life time. This will be an annual adventure from here on out!

thank you Elk Nuts for inspiring me!

Kris

Kris, where and when are you hunting those stinky galoots this year?

by **Luckyman** » 07 14, 2015 • [Post 24]

Ditto Kris, That's how my brother spells his name!

by **brohymn2** » 07 15, 2015 • [Post 25]

Hey Kris I'm in the same boat and coincidentally we share the same name. Good luck everyone

by **Dr. Rx** » 07 15, 2015 • [Post 26]

There's a saying that goes tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life. So if you're not living life to the fullest make a change.

Great Point Indian summer...

I work in the Critical Care unit.. I see tragedy every day...You never know when your time is called up.. Indian Summer you are right on!. Thanks to all of you for inspiring me.. I know it may seem trivial, but for me hunting revitalizes my sole.. getting the animal is just a bonus, but the preparation, the planning, the adventure, and the unknown is what feeds my sole..hopefully the elk I will get this fall will feed my tummy

, but that cannot be the sole goal...So like I said.. No more excuses for me.. Life is way to short and I no longer want to say phrases like " I wish I had done..."..

Well you guys get the point...

Good luck to all of you Elk Nuts and happy hunting!

Kris

by **WapitiTalk1** » 07 15, 2015 • [Post 27]

Dr. Rx wrote:for me hunting revitalizes my sole.. getting the animal is just a bonus, but the preparation, the planning, the adventure, and the unknown is what feeds my soul..Kris

I like that, well said Kris!

by **Mike_Parson** » 07 23, 2015 • [Post 28]

for me it was a few different things. the first being money and feeling it was to expensive to hunt and have all the things i needed to do it right.

the second was fear of the unknown. I am the only one in my family that bow hunts so information is hard to come by at times. Thats why im glad for guys like TrophyHill that are willing to mentor and befriends guys like me who want to partake in this awesome sport of archery hunting.

Now i have a wife that supports my habit and friends to help along the way so get ready outdoors here i come and im here to stay.... lol

by **Olydog09** » 07 28, 2015 • [Post 29]

goblue wrote:I will be hunting again this year, but whats holding me back is do I hunt from a tree stand or call. Let me explain. My hunting buddies and I do alot of running and gunning so to speak. Last year I had a trail cam up all season and at one of my watering holes I had a couple bulls and cows come in every day and sometimes multiple time a day. During this time there was up to six different bulls. This is from Sept 4 on to the end of the season. Whats holding me back is do I sit in a tree and put all my eggs in one basket or run and gun. What do you think?

If you can work it out logistically run and gun the mornings and sit the stand in the evening. Or run and gun for a couple days then take a day off and hunt from the tree stand to let your body recharge.

by **Mukbowhunt** » 07 28, 2015 • [Post 30]

I spend at least 1 week per year in elk country but if I didn't have kids or was married I would spend 4 weeks and hunt multiple states!

by **Pop-r** » 07 28, 2015 • [Post 31]

A broken leg!! Friday a week ago I was simply airing up a tire & the sidewall blew out on me & broke my femur mid shaft & my fibula just below my knee. Thank God it wasn't worse & I hopefully will heal but it's definitely gonna hamper my elk season dramatically!

by **Mikeha33** » 07 31, 2015 • [Post 32]

Well, up until this last Monday, I wasn't planning on going this year, and was really down in the dumps about it. We have been trying to buy a farm to build a home on, and I agreed with the wife, that if we were building a house, that I would save the money this year, and forgo the trip West, and spend the time working on the house. Well, late last week, the farm sold to someone out of state, for significantly more than the asking price. I was pretty bummed. But I immediately told her that there was a reason that God made someone else buy it, and not us. That reason is God wants me to be in the mountains the 2nd week of September!!! So now it is full on elk season prep for me. I've even found 2 good friends (1 has killed a couple bulls, one has never elk hunted) that are committed to going with me. I am stoked. Probably more so about getting to make my trip into the mountains, than buying a farm and building a house, lol.
I need that separation, tranquility, and solitude every year to keep my sanity. If we kill, awesome, but I'm not convinced that is why any of us really do this.

by **Csrbowhunter** » 07 31, 2015 • [Post 33]

Well this year it's a combination of things. Last year I went on a trip with an outfitter and spent way more than I normally do. The good thing is I got a nice bull and got him mounted. The bad thing is it used up my money for this year! Most of the time I do diy hunting and love it. Last year a draw a great tag and went with a guide. I have no regrets other than I think I would have loved to do it myself. I could still go if that was the only thing there was but my oldest daughter is going off to collage for her first year and one of my managers is pregnant and due first week of September. So at this point I figured next year I'll be going again.
I too always have the friends that talk about going and never do! I've went out west by myself before just so I could elk hunt. It's hard to convince a whitetail hunter to use all their vacation time on elk hunting when they've never done it. I know my first year elk hunting I was thinking before I left what I was going to do to be ready for deer season. Now I could care less about deer hunting till I get back from elk hunting! I had a friend that moved to Montana 15yrs ago that I hunted with first. He told me if I loved whitetail hunting DON'T go elk hunting. He told me how bored I would be with deer hunting after that. I didn't believe him of course and he was right! The first year I got back to ohio and deer hunted I can remember sitting in my tree thinkin(I wish I'd hear a bugle). It's just not the same since before elk hunting. If I could only hunt one it would be elk for sure!
I haven't learned much about life other than it's really short and make everyday count while you're here. I've traveled all over and have never looked back on anywhere I've went as a waste of time and money. I wish I was going this year but for now I'm just hoping next year I get to go again ( God willing)!

by **bald9eagle** » 08 04, 2015 • [Post 34]

Honestly? Nothing. Wife has given me her blessing. I can afford it. Distance is 20+ hours but those big silver birds cover that quickly. I could take an entire month off work.

I've been reluctant on going solo. I'm 40 and in good shape but was blessed with congestive heart failure from my dad. Just had 3 more stents put in 3 weeks ago. I feel confident that I can handle the walking as I usually can out walk my buddies in the turkey woods. My fear is that I would have an issue while in the mountains and in such a vast place they wouldn't find me. I can't stand the thought of my wife and daughter not having closure. I wouldn't have a problem passing away while leaned against an aspen that was on full fall display. I just don't want the family left wondering.....but then my wife does have an insurance policy on me....

I'm seriously thinking I might plan a 2016 Wyoming trip and tell all my buddies that if they want to go then they need to plan it. I had gotten as far as reserving dates with a drop camp in CO for 2015 but everyone backed out.

by **Z Barebow** » 08 05, 2015 • [Post 35]

bald9eagle-

I would suggest purchasing a Delorme Inreach if that is your major concern. After my experience in 2013, I couldn't leave my family in the dark for days on end. It can leave a bread crumb trail (Configurable on how often you send). I purchased one and tested it recently on a scouting trip. My wife received messages and it put lat/long along with message. (She didn't know what Lat/long meant!) But at least she had the info. I told her I would check in nightly.

Back in the 90's, my acquaintances would tell stories of elk hunting. I hoped to go on one of their trips. Eventually I decided if I wanted it bad enough, I need to be in control of my own destiny and go for it. That was 1998 and I traveled solo for 1600+ miles one way and the rest is history. Just like others have said, deer hunting now just takes up time in between elk hunting trips.

There are a million reasons to go elk hunting. It only takes one reason/excuse to not go. Work on those reasons/excuses to not go!