Versatility

[Swede]

I have heard Elknut speak several times on the single dimension hunter. To be honest I do not know just what he means by that comment, so I put it into my own context for consideration. To me it is just doing the same thing regardless of the situation. Never expanding, never experimenting, and never learning.
There are several things I need to do better. The number one change that comes to mind is to have back up places to go, that are not so onerous to move to. I have been sticking to the same location for years even though the hunting has fallen off terribly. The first 3-5 days are still ok, so I should move right after the fifth day. Right? Well it takes me at least two days to gather up stands, camp, etc. then it will take me two more to move and set up everything again.
Next year, I may have some close in back up area, or just not set out as many stands so moving will be easier. Maybe I can coordinate better with someone like Stringunner so we can cover more area and coordinate that way.
So with that said; what other ideas do you have for me, and more importantly what ideas do you have to improve your own hunting?

[Navesgane]

I don't know if I can give you much advice other than to maybe think outside the box a little bit. Maybe go on a hunt with someone you like but have never hunted with before and see what and where they do different.
As for myself, I'm going to look for a hunting partner or recruit and train one soon, and be more aggressive with my calling and stalking next season and not act like I'm walking on eggshells when I'm talking with an elk.

[stringunner]

In the area we hunt, calling is not very productive, I think it's because there are fewer elk, and too many hunters. We have been hunting this area for 9+ years. Catching them when in peek rut and herded up can produce good calling situations, but it is rAre. we have moved to tree stand hunting elk primarily. I have shot 5 elk in those 9 years and my dad has shot some on the same years and different years so I know it's still a good area. But the last two years it's definitely been tougher do to pressure of hunters and moo cows/ranchers. Like Swede says, if we are going to be successful moving forward, we are going to have to expand our range at current area or move to a new area all together. I don't have enough time to hunt to move mid way through my time to hunt. So I'm going to have to commit to scouting multiple areas pre season and then pick one during my 10 day average of hunt time. I'm willing to drive up to an hour from camp each day to hunt so that allows me the opportunity to really expand my current area. Pre season scouting is going to be more important to me this year as I'm not yet ready to abandon a couple of my current spots.

[olympushunt]

I think as creatures of habit (no I don't mean the elk) we tend to have difficultly doing things or methods differently than we are used to. We get comfortable with areas and things that have worked for us in the past. This especially becomes true when you have harvested multiple animals in an area using the same technique. You always hear that catch phrase "Think outside the box." It is true but easier said than done. I think you really have to be comfortable and "ok" with NOT getting an animal to start. Another catch phrase "The greater the risk....the greater reward." If you are really really heart set on getting an animal with tactics that have worked before by all means...grind it out. But how can you find that "honey hole" of an elk area if you don't go looking for it. The hard part about that too is the absolute best time to look for that spot is DURING season. It is tough to leave your spot and go looking but that really is what a guy should do. I have always said if I get an animal early I am going to scout super hard but I find more often than not I am happy and content with the spot and see no reason to change it. Especially when I have blood on my hands! It is like fishing to me. I tend to experiment when the bite is off and that is the absolute worst time to get crazy. Again, this is just my opinion. When the fish are actually willing to bite then try new things as you might find a new trick that works much better. Sometimes they just are not on the bite and trying a new trick that actually is a decent method will get canned as something that's no good. Ok,....enough preaching and onto something that will ACTUALLY help you harvest more elk with this "versatility" thread. Let's do that "outside the box" thinking and not mess around. Swede and Stringunner, I'm talking waaaaay outside the box and methods that I promise will get you boys more elk kills. Let's start sitting in those stand 10 days BEFORE season. Right? I mean your game cam proves your odds will be pretty dang good. Stringunner, you showed me some WHOPPER bulls on your cam before season. Did you see them DURING the season? Hunting pressure is lighter and the elk have not gone into their hiddy holes yet. Secondly I recommend you bring to your stand the 338 bow. Sometimes we see a good bull and he is juuuuuuust a bit outside (thinking Major League movie here) your comfortable range with your regular bow. Not anymore. 200 yards...not a problem! See just these two fairly simple but non traditional things will vastly improve your "versatility" and success. Just set aside some extra cash before the "season" for any add on costs that might happen....just in case, and you are allllll set.

[Swede]

Oly, that is certainly farther outside the box than I was thinking. Just look at all of the possibilities with this new idea. I am guaranteed food for months. Either I have elk in the freezer, or the County provides me room and board Free.

[stringunner]

I think we have more area to scout in our general vacintiy. I think our plans for scouting the road closure area is going to be good.

Here is another one that has gotten me the last two years. Picking a stand that has got good action the couple weeks before season and staying committed to it IF IF IF there is still some sort of sign of elk in the area, like fresh tracks near by. I moved stands after 4 days only to have an elk come in on day 5.

I think the stand I was sitting in at the beginning had scent problems for me, as once I left the stand after 4 days of sitting in it, I had bears and elk return for the two days I wasn't there.

I also have favorite spots I like to sit but need to sit other stands on different years based on where the elk are at. For instance, I really like a stand called log trough and have killed 1 elk there, but the elk have not been there the past two years at all so I never sat it this year. Wondering if spike isn't like this as well, sitting it the years the elk are round there and not sitting it the yer the elk are not around. Is that being more versatile in our area?

I don't know think that the area is completely cold, I just wonder if some spots are cold in the area?

[Swede]

I see our area as real cold - at times. I like the ideas we are sharing. Maybe move camp and reach back into our old area at the first part of the season then change as elk sign dictates. If we consider an hour travel acceptable, then I have some more ideas on where we can camp and hunt. All would be less than an hour drive. I guess Swede would need to pack a lunch each day and see his little house less often.

[olympushunt]

Well see....I'm sure you have figured out by now my ideas are fool proof!

I don't think an area goes cold forever unless something drastic has happened to the surrounding area like logging, fire or other human intervention. Some years the elk just don't frequent a draw or canyon as much and other years they are in there heavy. That is why every year we have to pay our dues and look at all the spots. One thing I always am convinced of. No matter where I am sitting (if I am in a stand) there is a bull hitting one of the spots I know about. If it's slow....go find that hole that is getting hit even if it means sacrificing a day or two in season.

[Elkduds]

Several years ago I moved from the western slope of CO to the Front Range, where all the people live. I needed to learn some new hunting areas, after 20 years of a few familiar units. Since the move I have scouted and/or hunted in over a dozen units, and been back to a few old favorites. I am killing fewer elk, am developing new strategies for locating elk in unfamiliar terrain. Seeing lots of fine country, enjoying hunting "the other side of the hill." Hunting elk is the same, finding them is the new challenge.

[longbowelk]

To me versatility is being to will to try new ideas and be open to they may bring success or failure and learn from the failure. I give an example of a buddy who used to hunt the same area every year, and he had really good success. However once the gas rights were sold, he still tried to go in to same area but it did not work so well the next year since the gas company had bulldozed a road right up the middle of his honey hole. So he lost a couple of years looking for a new place.

[ElkNut1]

Swede, when I mention the phrase about being a "One Dimensional Hunter" I'm referring to being versatile in your hunting techniques. This means a hunter would have the knowledge about many aspects of elk hunting so he could adapt to about any given situation. He would be fluent in Treestandi hunting, Spot & Stalk, Various levels of calling, Reading a Situation, etc & adjusting ones thinking accordingly to fit the encounter he is in.

There are many hunters out there every year who are doing their best to kill "Any Elk" -- Most rely on one or two things, if that doesn't work they move on & unsure what to do next? Many encounters are blown each year because hunters handicap themselves being one dimensional hunters! (grin) As hunters broaden their horizons & realize that there are many different methods & tactics at ones disposal that can fit nearly any situation then they will enjoy a whole lot more close encounters instead of throwing their hands in the air not knowing what to do.

ElkNut1

[Swede]

Thanks Paul for the explanation. I knew from our conversation that "one dimension" was about adaptability. I was not sure if your take on one dimension included crossing over between techniques, i.e. tree stand/ground blind-run and gun. I agree with your take on this. Certainly adaptability comes from learning our area and the critters we hunt. It can mean applying different techniques at different times and different situations; or to different areas which is something I need to focus on. Sometimes that involves more than just killing elk or whatever.
When I think of being adaptable, I have to wonder if we see what is really happening. Do our eyes pick up on the nuances important to our success. I am convinced some people put things together due to experience, others never understand the situation. Hopefully we get better before we get old. After all who wants the distinction of being the oldest apprentice?

[ElkNut1]

Swede, good post! (grin)

ElkNut1

[saddlesore]

You younger guys have the ability to be more adaptable. I'm not a stick shooter , but do muzzle loader and center fire rifle. I never could see the tree stand hunting. Just not for me. I liked to get in among them. Now days, I don't like to be very far off the ground anyway and I can't do mile upon mile of hunting on foot.

As you age,you will find that there are more and more methods of hunting that you can no longer physically accomplish. When that happens, you need to figure out how to make the methods you can use the most productive. You have to hunt smarter instead of harder. Figure out what the elk are doing because of other hunters. Use past experience to locate travel routes to and from breeding/feeding areas, escape routes, etc.

You will also find that more and more , you are willing to kill any legal elk. My mantra has always been, shoot the first legal elk you see, because I like to have elk meat in the freezer.

This past season,I did kill a cow in ML , but in rifle season, I saw no elk.I needed to move about 8 miles south, but the two hunting companions I had with me were not physically able to hunt that country.Sometimes you have to take into consideration more things than strickly filling your tag.

Enjoy the way you can hunt now and be adaptable when you need to. However,tuck all that information back in your brain somewhere and when you get a few more rings under your bark, you will need to pull it out.