ELKITIS Setting In Again.........

[WapitiTalk1]

Anybody else suffer from ELKITIS? I look forward to my annual elk hunt(s) all year long, starting on the day my previous season ends but...... about this time of year, it really kicks in hard (end of July/beginning of August). It's almost a chronic condition with me ... Mrs. Phantom knows about this affliction/phenomenon and just rolls her eyes when I try to discuss hunting plans/tactics with her. Symptoms include spending a lot of time on our forum (well, that's kind of my job), constantly pouring over internet and hardcopy maps, experiencing an insatiable desire to dig through my gear bags to ensure each item on my checklist is represented and ready, doing a bunch of calling practice, shooting my bow (not so much this year with getting my messed up back in check), hiking/conditioning every chance I get, bolting off to the elk woods for scouting/trail clearing/cam placement every possible opportunity I can swing it, and the restless nights are really starting to occur. As soon as I see a few leafs start falling off the trees, I'm through and there is no pulling me back.... I know it's almost here! Anybody else suffering from this condition?

[Swede]

My Elkitus starts up about two weeks after I hang my bow up in the early fall. Over the months it just gets worse. I don't get over it until late August when I get to breathe in fresh mountain air and hang a few tree stands. I am sorry to hear about your condition. I suspect your Elkitus is similar to mine. The only cure I have found is fresh mountain air and answering the call of the wapiti. You can watch wapiti videos and get as close as you can to the actual real thing, but it just gets worse. I am no doctor, but as a long time sufferer, it sounds like you will need at least two weeks in Idaho to recover.

[twinkieman]

It is a definite affliction! I tell everyone I have a rare disease, and the only cure is hunting elk in September

[njdoxie]

that is funny and true

[saddlesore]

Mine is permanent affliction I have suffered thru it for 50 years. I just bought my 2nd , 2016 elk tag yesterday. People use to ask me what I did for a living. I told them I hunted elk, but had day job to help finance it

[Coloclover]

I like to call it elk fever, I feel that it sounds better if I need to call in sick to work to hunt for more days. Can't eat, can't sleep, can't focus on anything (besides elk .

[TurkeyBowMaster]

It's more of a mission for me so I don't let myself get too excited. I need the meat and the mountains are much prettier than the cool isle at Wal-Mart. I try and keep focused on he task at hand that increase my odds of bring back the bacon. Everyday shooting, getting in shape, making extra money to fund my way out there, getting equipment ready etc. The excitement starts when I head west.

[Tigger]

I came down with a bad case again this year (funny how that continues to happen). Thank goodness there isn't a vaccination available or my wife would make me get it!

There is only one known cure. 47 sleeps and the cure will be in sight!

[WapitiTalk1]

I came down with a bad case again this year (funny how that continues to happen). Thank goodness there isn't a vaccination available or my wife would make me get it!

Way funny, thanks.

[Ryan Conkle]

My name is Ryan and I am an addict. lol I am glad to see that you fellows' have the same problem, their is definitely no cure to this disease other than being in the mountains' partaking in it...as any preparation or practice simply irritates' the disease.

[lamrith]

Phantom you are scaring me a bit. I have not been fully exposed to this illness yet so to this point have been able to fight it off so far, I just get an occasional itchy spot. The concern is that it is extremely contagious and my long streak of good health is going to come to an end because of all you jokers.

[Elkhunttoo]

It's definitely one of the good kind of sicknesses though... Glad I never can get rid of it

[CurlyTail]

I am concerned that my case may be terminal

Seriously, my wife might actually kill me be the end. Of the season.

Hopefully a nice fat taxidermy billl, then taking down the family portrait over the fireplace and putting up my new trohy, maybe a new 500 dollar backpack - I will be lucky to survive the year.

[JimKirk]

there are actually discussions all over the internet about wives discussing their husbands hunting obsession. but i always thought its better than being a drunk, gamer or druggy. I live alone so don't really realize how much I devote to what is eventually fall hunting. I just simply enjoy the outdoors so hiking, running trail cams, camping, fishing trips and or watching hunting vids on youtube seems perfectly normal.

[bald9eagle]

I think I might have taken ill with elkitis.

I've compared it to my turkey hunting condition. My turkey season starts March 15. From Feb.1 till the end of April I am all about turkeys. I start turning some some calls on the lathe. I go to the NWTF convention in mid Feb. I make a few scouting trips. I sit out on the porch hoping to hear a warm Feb day gobble. I watch every Primos video I own. I pattern my gun.

The obsession of elk hunting is growing.