Number of days hunted

[Heartwood]

How many days are you able to spend afield during elk season? In recent years I have been able to hunt around 16 days each season but have hunted up to 20 days. We will take a day off from time to time to recuperate or restock supplies. Some seasons I do a backpack/bivy hunt on the opener and then set up a basecamp later for the main "big hunt" for the rest of the season. Just curious how much you guys and gals are able to get out and chase these stinky galoots with the big antlers. I know it is hard to get it done with just a few days to hunt.

[N2mywake]

since we travel so far we have to get it all in at once. We pack in for 10-11 days usually.

[WapitiTalk1]

In previous years, I spend about 5-7 days in the early WA season and a full two weeks in the last part of SEP in either ID or MT. This year, however, based on the fact that WA does not give archery hunters the full/peak of the rut.... I'll be in ID for a full three weeks and probably won't hunt WA unless its a long weekend in the late season. Elk..... will die in ID this year

[Swede]

Well last year I hunted 35 days plus I had about 10 scouting and set up days. This year I plan to cut back a little. Just maybe a little.

[Elkhunttoo]

Not enough! I have a great job that I love but it's an every day job. I usually try and take 2-3 days off and that's is for elk and deer season. My job does however allow me to leave lots of days around noon and drive the hour and a half and get in evening hunts. When I look for areas I have to find areas to hunt where I can get into elk asap. I'm excited about a spot I stumbled upon last year that I plan on sitting that is about 80-100 yards off the main road.

Another problem i have had the last few years is my wife has fallen in love with archery elk hunting . It's a blessing and a curse. We have 4 kids and the oldest is in 5th grade so that makes the afternoon runs a little harder because my wife doesn't want me going without her anymore.

[saddlesore]

For the last several years I have been able to hunt two nine days season,spending about 12 days each in the field

[six]

We plan for 10 days in the woods. Its a 20 hour drive to elk camp, and I can only take 2 weeks off work.

[Stick]

Usually 12-14 days! That doesn't include travel time and Sundays we take to rest, laundry, and scout! That day to recuperate will do you wonders! Interesting observation a lot of bulls killed around the 10th day!

[Indian Summer]

In previous years, I spend about 5-7 days in the early WA season and a full two weeks in the last part of SEP in either ID or MT. This year, however, based on the fact that WA does not give archery hunters the full/peak of the rut.... I'll be in ID for a full three weeks and probably won't hunt WA unless its a long weekend in the late season. Elk..... will die in ID this year

Who the heck is wapititalk1? I never approved this guy. Hacker? Terrorist? hmmm

My hunts are two weeks including 2 days of driving on either end. One of the main reasons I don't pack in is because it takes time. Time is too valuable to lose even a day of hunting. I use horses and I still don't bother. Don't get me wrong I've done it a thousand times and it can't be beat for fun and atmosphere. But it doesn't help me kill elk usually and that is the bottom line.

[Swede]

Indian Summer, you should change your handle to "Lear Jet". RJ still believes you have the W.T. plane and are flying it around on the company credit card. He just can't figure out how you are able to avoid him here around camp so he can get it all back. RJ is suspicious that you flew to Vegas and lost it in a poker game.

[Dr. Rx]

last 2 years, been doing 8 days of hunting each season I've been out + travel days of course..... probably not ideal, but definitely addicted to archery elk hunting..

I live in duck hunting country, so i get to hunt 50+ days with my dog in the fall and winter..

NOW..If I lived in elk country...I can only imagine the possibilities of multiple elk hunting trips and the proximity to different states... wow...sky is the limit there..

The rate limiting step is always TIME..

Good times

Kris

[Heartwood]

Sounds like a fair number of us here on the forum get to hunt a lot. It definitely ups a guys odds of a harvest with more days afield.

[Lefty]

I had the call to teach. That very much limits my time to hunt during the September season. I have every Saturday, , and some of the previous Friday evenings to hunt. Also Labor day, I have taken at least 1 more day the years someone in the family drew a moose tag( three years). The non moose years Ive scheduled Dr. appts so I can hunt a few more evenings . This year a total of 5 days, which was the least number of days. Other years it was , 7 or eight full days .
Other game pay the price the rest of the Saturdays of the year, Christmas and Thanksgiving break.

I do get to scout a lot before season. My last year in the desert I spent 17 days and 7 nights watching "my bull", a big ole crippled bull. Every afternoon some time after 4:00 Pm he got up and walked miles an miles , bedded in the same 500 yards stretch of rocks and sage. Found where the wolves killed him, likely the night before I hunted for him. ( found his thursday night bed)

30-35 days goose hunting, 1-5 days for ducks, 3,4 or 5 days on deer. I think this is correct 11 13 and 1 day moose hunting,. bear and lions and coyotes15-25?
"

[cohunter]

I teach too... so I'm limited to weekends. Last year I hunted 4 days, the year before 9, two the year before that, 5 the year before that. Had a long sabbatical before then when I lived overseas. I'm sure I'd be more successful if I had more time.

[Roosiebull]

I live close to where I hunt (half hour is about max drive time) and since I was a hunting addicted teen, I have formed my lifestyle around it. I naturally get to hunt about 20 of the 30 days for archery elk if needed, and will take the last week off too if I haven't killed a bull.

[WapitiTalk1]

I teach too... so I'm limited to weekends. Last year I hunted 4 days, the year before 9, two the year before that, 5 the year before that. Had a long sabbatical before then when I lived overseas. I'm sure I'd be more successful if I had more time.

Good gawd, that's like buying one Wonka bar :0. Still, it looks like you get it done mister . Just goes to show folks that you don't need 2+ weeks in the woods to kill an elk.

[WapitiTalk1]

I live close to where I hunt (half hour is about max drive time) and since I was a hunting addicted teen, I have formed my lifestyle around it. I naturally get to hunt about 20 of the 30 days for archery elk if needed, and will take the last week off too if I haven't killed a bull.

Stranger! Stranger! . Welcome aboard Roosiebull, glad to have you at our campfire.

[twinkieman]

Minimum planned for is 17 days, except when something comes up, and messes things up.

[Roosiebull]

I live close to where I hunt (half hour is about max drive time) and since I was a hunting addicted teen, I have formed my lifestyle around it. I naturally get to hunt about 20 of the 30 days for archery elk if needed, and will take the last week off too if I haven't killed a bull.

Stranger! Stranger! . Welcome aboard Roosiebull, glad to have you at our campfire.

Thanks Rory, nice atmosphere around here.

[ishy]

This year 2 hours, last year zilcho but got to pack one out for a buddy, year before that only 4 days...but I usually scratch and claw my way to around 10 days.