late archery elk

[wawhitey]

Its looking like i may get to hunt the late elk season, nov 25 - dec 8th. I know a couple areas elk tend to travel that time of year, i could just sit and wait to intercept them, maybe get lucky. Cant think of any other tactics i might use that time of year other than hope for the best. Dealing with a small group of elk that are spread thin. Any ideas? It will be an any bull hunt.

[WapitiTalk1]

I've had some luck locating during the late WA season with some very, very occasional cow mews but really it's predominately just still hunting on my side of the Cascades in late NOV, waiting for the not so stealthy brush crunchers to push them to where I'm slowly moving, or sitting, watching, and most importantly listening. I know folks on the other side of the mountains from me have some luck with migratory elk coming out of the high country (sitting transition routes down ridges and canyon trails) but that's probably not the same deal in the NE where you hunt. I've always looked for a nice elk safe zone, perhaps a hillside flat spot, that the wapiti slow to take a look N/E/S/W and see if any brush crunchers are around, it may even be a feed or bedding area (different from their late summer/early fall areas after the boomstick folks have pushed them around and changed their patterns a bit), during the late archery season. A lot of times these are 1/2 to 3/4 up the side of the side of the hill/mountain where the critters feel safe. Best of luck to you mister if you can get out! RJ

[wawhitey]

Heading out in the early a.m! Maybe ill get lucky and have elk tenderloin for thanksgiving dinner.

[Swede]

My son-in-law is walking out closed roads and spot and stalk hunting now. He got into some elk yesterday and his friend shoot one. I think the key is to locate elk, and either stalk or wait for them.

[wawhitey]

Well my plan for this late season was to sit quietly and wait in a draw that the elk move through a lot. Hiked in a couple miles in the dark and set up. Had a decent whitetail buck broadside asking for it, but no tag. I got a little reality check about late season bowhunting. Despite multiple layers of wool and fleece, a few hours sitting still on the ground out of the sun was miserable, with temps in the single digits. If i was to put on enough clothes to be comfortable i wouldnt be able to shoot my bow. Ive decided that instead of being miserable, im throwing in the towel on my elk tag for the year, and im going to go all out for a cougar starting saturday morning. Cougar hunting allows for more movement which will prevent my freezing to death. Hike to cut tracks, follow for a while, set up to call for an hour or so, wash rinse repeat. Ill be packing my model 88 and my .460.

[ElkNut1]

Dean, good luck next year during archery season, it's much warmer then! (grin)

ElkNut1

[wawhitey]

So today i got back to that spot and checked my camera. If i would have been man enough to deal with the cold and stick it out a few more days i would have had my choice of a couple young bulls.