Hey Lurkers.... How 'Bout a Show of Hands!

[Indian Summer]

I posted a thread like this quite awhile back. Elknut1 used to tell me how many people were on our forums every day that weren't registered. I can understand that. We've all done it before deciding to take the plunge and register somewhere. Last time I posted a lurker thread we instantly picked up a pile of new family members.

So I just wanted to point out that the coast is clear. You can poke your head up out of the foxhole without fear of taking a bullet to the head. Nobody here bites. We don't care if you've never seen an elk much less a mountain. Everyone has to start somewhere. What a better place than here?

As a matter of fact the questions from beginners is what keeps things alive. That's what leads to some really good input from the old wrinkly guys like Phantom and the other experienced elk hunters that hang out here. Myself I just had a Quick-Lift so I'm lookin' good.

So here's what I'd like to see: Just one post from some of you guys and gals that have been peeking in the window listening to our ramblings about the wiley wapiti. Just something short and sweet like "Don't worry we are watching " will do. Better yet "My name is Bill, long time lurker first time caller from Michigan" After that you can feel free to turn around and walk out the door. Hopefully not but that's cool if you want to sit on the sidelines.

So go ahead and take a deep breath. try to calm down and click the Register button and pretty soon you'll feel a lot better I promise. Then make that post that let's us know that someone out there in cyberspace is paying attention and we're not just talking to ourselves like a bunch of schizophrenic old elk hunters sitting on a bench outside of an insane asylum!

Thank you,
The Management
xoxo

[2MANY]

Is this similar to an advertising bugle?

[EastTNHunter]

I'll break the ice.

My name is Ryan from, you guessed it, East Tennessee. I'm looking to take my first trip to Colorado in 2019 to chase the famed wapiti and have been lurking trying to learn how elk hunting differs from deer hunting.

I look forward to learning and will post up some questions once I have taken a little more in.

Thanks,
Ryan

[WapitiTalk1]

Welcome Ryan, glad to have you on board!

[Tigger]

Welcome Ryan, pull up a log and have a sit. Lots of guys with a lot of experience around here who will share their knowledge. Once in awhile, they even know what they are talking about!!

[Focker]

Hey guys...I'm Kevin, been on here a little bit as I'm part of a small group of guys that are trying to get ourselves drawn in Wyoming. We're new to elk hunting, mainly we've been deer and bird guys, but all really excited the more we learn. I've had the pleasure of talking with Joe a couple of times and he's always very knowledgable and helpful so we definitely appreciate that. Hopefully we get drawn, but I'm a realist so we'll see! If we don't draw we'll work on a contingency plan and go from there!

[Indian Summer]

Contingency plan: Montana.... guaranteed licenses.

[CampCreek]

Well looks like now is as good a time as ever. I've been watching you folks for awhile now thinking about posting something, I have been very impressed with the way this group is willing to help each other out. And I'll start by saying thank you for all the stuff I've learned already in the last few weeks.

My name is Dale and I'm 57 and planning on my first Colorado OTC archery elk hunt with my two sons. (Yes I,m old.) They already have a couple of years under their belt and told the old man if he is ever going to try it, this is the year. I have hunted whitetails with a bow for years out here on the plains of Nebraska and some in Kansas. Yup I'm a flatlander and have been working on this body to try and get it ready for the fall, it ain't going to be easy I know.

We have been pouring over GMU stats, maps and anything we can to decide where to go. The 2 units they have hunted previous years don't fit our needs, one is way to rough and steep for me and maybe them, the other not enough public ground to do the camp thing we want. Still looking, and will probably ask you CO guys for some input sometime.

Anyway thanks again, I'm glad you asked for a show of hands.

[Indian Summer]

Welcome to the Elknut Army Kevin Ryan & Dale. Glad to have you here and yes... we all enjoy helping each other. I can find plenty of talk forums to go to if I'd rather just debate who knows best about every little thing. The original goal of Elknut was to have a website with world peace and so far so good.

Next?

[dotman]

Hi my name is Tim . Hey that was pretty easy and painless, oh wait you didn't mean registered lurkers

[_iFish]

Hey all.

Grew up in a hunting and fishing family in the Mid-Atlantic but sitting in a treestand or blind never appealed to me so I've only been hunting a few times. I stay outdoors through a ton of fly fishing and a couple backpacking trips a year. After seeing how people call and hunt elk with a bow it seems like something I could get into. I'm moving west here soon but not sure what state I'll be able to find work in yet. Fresh out of college with a biology degree. Shooting for Washington, Oregon, or Idaho. I hear WA is bottom barrel for Elk but the fishing opportunities definitely make up for it.

Hoping to get in on the game this year but my early September is already tied up so possibly 2017. World Fly Fishing Championships are in CO this year.

Once I have some more final plans I'll make a post here and see if I can't find anyone with similar goals.

[Scrap_Iron]

Hello, I'm Ryan and I'm an ELKaholic.

I've been visiting the forum for a while and figured it's finally time I join and contribute something. After all, I've learned a ton on here from many of you knowledgeable folks, as well as from the DVDs and Playbook.

I grew up in Wisconsin chasing whitetails and walleyes. I moved to northwest Colorado almost five years ago. By luck, I managed to land a living situation where I'm about a ten minute hike from my front door to the National Forest. I've been hunting public land OTC elk during rifle since I've been here. I've harvested two cows for the freezer so far with the rifle. In the fall of 2015 I dusted off my 16 year old bow and gave archery a go just to see if I'd like it. Indeed I did! It's hard to beat the up-close and personal experience with a rutting bull elk! I wasn't able to connect with a bull last fall but I did manage to take a cow on the last day of the season. On Monday I retired that 16 year old bow and bought a new Mathews Creed XS. Bow technology has certainly come along way in 16 years... Anyway, all I can think about now is the 2016 archery elk season.

[ElkNut1]

Welcome aboard guys! Looks like a few newer folks, sweet!

ElkNut1

[Catman817]

Hello,
I'm Bryan and hail from the Great State of Texas...

I've been lurking for over a year and learned a lot from everyone. I've hunted whitetail and mule deer here in Texas with rifle and bow. My first elk hunt was in 2013. We saw elk and I even had a legal bull at about 25 yards from me, but a buddy of mine called me off the shoot because he thought he was illegal. As the bull ran away, my buddy started apologizing because he realized the bull was legal. Other than that, the past two seasons have either been to hot or we were on the wrong side of the canyon.

We are now in the process of planning our next adventure.

[kordpga]

Been around for few week lurking and learning

Ken from Lancaster, Pa, interest in elk hunting this year and many more years to come, trying to decide where

Thanks for all the great info guys

[WapitiTalk1]

Bryan, Ken welcome to our elk campfire. Glad you swung by.

Hey all you new cats that are poking your antlers over the ridge, send me a PM with your mailing address and I'll send you a WT decal (tell me which version you'd like). RJ

[Hill Hunter]

I probably fit into the registered lurker category, haven't posted much. I find it hard to regularily check in on forums, but every time I do here, I take something from it! I been hunting elk in CO on public land 7 times in 10 years and will be headed back this year again! Last year my daughter was born Sept 2nd, which led to me skipping the mostly annual trip. Currently building points in AZ, WY and a couple other western states....Currently living in central WI and chasing whitetails when the elk aren't bugling....

[CampCreek]

Thanks RJ!

PM sent.

[Pasteve]

HI I'm Steve from Philadelphia I've hunt my whole here in PA this year will be my first time for elk and out west while doing some research I came upon your site!

[WapitiTalk1]

Hill Hunter, Pasteve, welcome aboard guys.

[Elkduds]

Welcome Ryan, Kevin, Dale, Bryan, Steve, ifish, Ryan, and any I missed. Good to have you in camp. Looking forward to your input. Ask, answer, voice an opinion, its all good

[dhoey]

My name is Danny. I grew up deer hunting on the wet side of Washington, then moved over to the right side when I was 23. I've been chasing elk for the last 5 years and although I haven't shot an elk, I always feel like this year is my year to do it. Every year I am more and more prepared. I've archery hunted the last 2 and will continue to do so.

Last year I bought my first bugle, The Real Chuckler, a few reeds and one of ElKNut's DVD's. This year I have The Playbook and the calling card so here's to another great september chasing wapiti

[wawhitey]

My name is Danny. I grew up deer hunting on the wet side of Washington, then moved over to the right side when I was 23. I've been chasing elk for the last 5 years and although I haven't shot an elk, I always feel like this year is my year to do it. Every year I am more and more prepared. I've archery hunted the last 2 and will continue to do so.

Last year I bought my first bugle, The Real Chuckler, a few reeds and one of ElKNut's DVD's. This year I have The Playbook and the calling card so here's to another great september chasing wapiti

Your backstory sounds a hell of a lot like mine. This may not be idaho, but eastern wa still does have some nice bulls. This is one that eluded me this year. The drought and fires were certainly not helpful.

[Indian Summer]

Dang Whitey that's a dandy!

[Wyoklaelk8]

Hey, I'm Eric. Been elk hunting for a while, never successful until hunting partner discovered elknut stuff and we developed new tactics for hunting and camping.
We've had a great couple years since. We hunt wilderness areas in co and i bring my horses up from OK to get us in/out. I've learned a lot over the past few years and look forward to more elk hunting and more learning from this site.
I've really enjoyed the shot scenarios and hunting scenarios recently.

[B.Sentman]

Hello, My name is Bryant and I'm a new member from Southwest Washington. I have been a long time traditional archer but used to hunt primarily with a rifle. I picked up a few Elknut DVD's a few reeds and a chuckler this year and have been practicing my calling 5-6 days a week the last 3 months. I will Hunt archery season for elk here in WA and can't wait. I really enjoy all the helpful info on this site and so far it has really helped me when I am having trouble progressing with my calling practice.

[WapitiTalk1]

Eric, Bryant, welcome to the campfire!