Tips on Hunting open Terrain

[CurlyTail]

The spot I hunt has mostly open arid terrain. Large areas have burned nearly 100%, and the dead trunks have fallen down years ago. Pockets of unburned Ponderosa Pine timber exist and are favored bedding/security areas. The ponderosa pine forest is very open with trees fairly far apart and almost zero underbrush present. You can see almost 100 yards through this sparse forest. There is some regrowth of small aspens along creek beds in valley floors. These Aspen groves are narrow but pretty thick in some spots and the trees are 10-12 feet tall now.

No chance of sneaking up to less than 100 yards of a herd in this open country. Lots of small ravines, numerous steep valleys, several saddles, some steep rock formations.

Any tips on calling setup locations in open terrain?

[elkaholic]

All of the country that I hunt is open terrain. When it comes down to calling bulls you have to use the land features to your advantage instead of brush. I am usually setting up in the bottom of a gully or behind a rock formation so that the bull can't see where the sound is coming from and he has to get as close as possible. Flashing a decoy can work wonders as well. Two years ago I had a bull 7 yrds from my buddy in brush country.

With open country comes the added benefit of being able to glass a lot and know where the elk are before you plan a hunt/stalk..

[Swede]

I tree stand hunt fairly open country where the elk are call shy. I wait and ambush them when the come in to water. If you are going to call these elk, I would recommend setting up in cover or over a ridge, In many spots a decoy near cover can be a real advantage. Having a partner can be a real asset. If you are not careful, the elk can see where you are, and hang up well out of archery range.

[Lefty]

All of the country that I hunt is open terrain. When it comes down to calling bulls you have to use the land features to your advantage instead of brush. I am usually setting up in the bottom of a gully or behind a rock formation so that the bull can't see where the sound is coming from and he has to get as close as possible. Flashing a decoy can work wonders as well. Two years ago I had a bull 7 yrds from my buddy in brush country.
With open country comes the added benefit of being able to glass a lot and know where the elk are before you plan a hunt/stalk..

Leland and I have hunted similar open country for years.
Stalking is very do-able
Ive been within range of a lot of elk, on a sneak the tallest thing was my gut or butt and the only thing to hide behind was my hat or boots.
Hunting this country my first shot( out of a blind was 11 yards but the bull had been a couple feet away)
My last "shot" was at 21 yards
My only archery elk, a cow I took at 25 yards, passing on two others that I had 11-15 yards for minutes. Finding elk can be tough,.. getting close for a shot has been the easy part, But I sort of suck at closing the deal

Bugling in a bull Ive only experienced once in the open range. but the raggy 5x6 and gave great shot opportunities under 30 yards wit nothing but rock and a 18 inch piece of sage behind me

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The sage with the square rock is where the last missed shot took place

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