Last year I turned 50 and I decided that it is time to do the things I have always dreamed of and could never afford to or have time for. One of the top things on my list was to go Elk hunting. A friend and I have committed to going this fall. It will be an archery hunt. Neither one of us have ever hunted elk before and I need some information. We don't have the money for a guided hunt. We are looking at paying a $300/person "tresspass fee" on some private land that abuts public land near Granby Colorado.
I don't necessarily have to take a big bull and would probably be thrilled to shoot a cow. What I need from all of you is input on what I need to get ready for this trip and how I might make it a success. I have hunted a lot of whitetails with a bow in Nebraska, but no big mountain experience. Am I looking in the right direction? What special equipment do I need? Any input from anyone who hunts elk would be appreciated.
Kevin
Full Version: Elk Hunting
The first thing you need to do is get your lungs and legs in shape(maybe you are already a triathlete, I am just saying), and good boots, break them in now so you know if they are good or not. The things that ruin hunts in the mountainous west is guys not being able to make it after the first or second day because they are too tired or their feet are covered with blisters.
Are you going to pack in and hunt out of a tent? Or drive to the mountains from a hotel every morning?
Get some good calls now and start calling, bugling and cow calls. Primos hoochie mama for sure, it is fool proof and has called in many many elk. One thing you might want to do is go to Archerytalk.com and do some searches about elk hunting. Find a website called elknut.com and order his videos, very helpful, good information.
One of the things guys fail to realize is how big an elk is, and only come to this realization is when they are standing over one and start thinking--what have I done!!! You need a pack that can haul meat, I suggest a simple frame with a SHELF!!!! This goes back to how are you going to hunt, if you are going to pack in, you can get big packs on frames that you can take the packs off and be left with your meat hauler.
If you need a good daypack, I suggest Badlands superday or hornhunter mainbeam.
There are pack lists by the dozen on Archerytalk, do a search and look them over.
Most importantly, be sure to save your pennies because once you have a bull bugling in your face from 20 yards away, tearing trees and rototilling the ground, wizzing all over himself, blowing snot all over, you will be hooked and be doing it the next year. Kind of like building trail cams.
Thats a start!!!
Are you going to pack in and hunt out of a tent? Or drive to the mountains from a hotel every morning?
Get some good calls now and start calling, bugling and cow calls. Primos hoochie mama for sure, it is fool proof and has called in many many elk. One thing you might want to do is go to Archerytalk.com and do some searches about elk hunting. Find a website called elknut.com and order his videos, very helpful, good information.
One of the things guys fail to realize is how big an elk is, and only come to this realization is when they are standing over one and start thinking--what have I done!!! You need a pack that can haul meat, I suggest a simple frame with a SHELF!!!! This goes back to how are you going to hunt, if you are going to pack in, you can get big packs on frames that you can take the packs off and be left with your meat hauler.
If you need a good daypack, I suggest Badlands superday or hornhunter mainbeam.
There are pack lists by the dozen on Archerytalk, do a search and look them over.
Most importantly, be sure to save your pennies because once you have a bull bugling in your face from 20 yards away, tearing trees and rototilling the ground, wizzing all over himself, blowing snot all over, you will be hooked and be doing it the next year. Kind of like building trail cams.
Thats a start!!!
drahthaar, GREAT INFO!!!!!
Thanks drahthar, that is the kind of info I am looking for. I have already started a hill climbing exercise program (but there aren't too many mountains in Nebr) and have broken in some boots which are pretty comfortable.
I had been looking at the Hoochie Mama, but since you reccomended it I will make that purchase also. I will check out the sites you recommended.
If anyone else wants to chime in with some advice, I would sure appreciate it.
Kevin
I had been looking at the Hoochie Mama, but since you reccomended it I will make that purchase also. I will check out the sites you recommended.
If anyone else wants to chime in with some advice, I would sure appreciate it.
Kevin
Oh, on the calls, also get a mouth diaphragm, they are hands free.
Kevin,
I have only elk hunted once and I did a little hiking at high elevations. From one flatlander to another getting the heart and lungs in shape for high elevations is important. Getting your heart rate elevated and keeping it that way for your exercise routine is crucial. I'm not a doctor (but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night) so talk to somebody else about the exact numbers.
I have only elk hunted once and I did a little hiking at high elevations. From one flatlander to another getting the heart and lungs in shape for high elevations is important. Getting your heart rate elevated and keeping it that way for your exercise routine is crucial. I'm not a doctor (but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night) so talk to somebody else about the exact numbers.
Hey Kevin, the most important part is over - admitting you are an elk hunter (or will be one - welcome to the addiction!). Granby has a lot of great hunting but in my opinion, save the money on the trespass fee...there are thousands if not millions of National Forest acres here and you're welcome to hunt them. In my experience most of the elk are still on the forest because they haven't been pressured on to private land yet - that doesn't start until muzzleloader season but then its fairly subtle. Now when the rifle seasons start up, the elk hit the private land.
The other guys are right - get in shape and stay that way. If you can get to Denver a day or so early it will at least start to acclimate you, we're at 5,000 feet here so take it slow. If you can get to the mountains a day early that is even better. Drink lots of water - hydration is key to combating altitude sickness which is no fun - I have experienced it. Also take it easy on the alcohol and coffee.
Being a good caller is essential but trust me when I say learn your cow calls and be able to bugle. I think bulls get bugled to so much that they become wary - you can't go wrong with a cow call. Think of it this way, if a bull has his girls with him and a big bad bull is bugling and wanting to fight...the smart thing is to take the girls and leave. If a bull is bugling bugle back but sound inferior otherwise you may scare him away. Cow calling is key. I use a lot of Wayne Carlton's calls - estrus whine, mac daddy, fightin cow, lonesome cow - I am partial to these calls because they are simple and work HS Calls. I have heard from a lot of people that the hoochie mama is a good call but I don't like the hand calls - personal preference.
Get a good pack and make sure it fits. Also make sure you bring a variety of clothing because the weather can change in a heartbeat. I hunted last archery season in warm weather and snow...be ready. Another great source is Jay Houston's website Elk Camp and his books Elk Hunting 101, 201 and 301 are awesome.
Other questions just let me know. I am NOT an expert but I hunt elk with a bow and absolutely love it!
The other guys are right - get in shape and stay that way. If you can get to Denver a day or so early it will at least start to acclimate you, we're at 5,000 feet here so take it slow. If you can get to the mountains a day early that is even better. Drink lots of water - hydration is key to combating altitude sickness which is no fun - I have experienced it. Also take it easy on the alcohol and coffee.
Being a good caller is essential but trust me when I say learn your cow calls and be able to bugle. I think bulls get bugled to so much that they become wary - you can't go wrong with a cow call. Think of it this way, if a bull has his girls with him and a big bad bull is bugling and wanting to fight...the smart thing is to take the girls and leave. If a bull is bugling bugle back but sound inferior otherwise you may scare him away. Cow calling is key. I use a lot of Wayne Carlton's calls - estrus whine, mac daddy, fightin cow, lonesome cow - I am partial to these calls because they are simple and work HS Calls. I have heard from a lot of people that the hoochie mama is a good call but I don't like the hand calls - personal preference.
Get a good pack and make sure it fits. Also make sure you bring a variety of clothing because the weather can change in a heartbeat. I hunted last archery season in warm weather and snow...be ready. Another great source is Jay Houston's website Elk Camp and his books Elk Hunting 101, 201 and 301 are awesome.
Other questions just let me know. I am NOT an expert but I hunt elk with a bow and absolutely love it!
We used to camp out on public land. Cooked all our dinners beforehand and froze them. Put them in a homemade cooler large enough for two boned out elk if we arrowed one. Just glued some one inch styrofoam into a plywood box about 4x4x4 to fit the trailer with a screw down top. We'd pull out a meal in the morning and reheat it for dinner around three just before going out for the evening hunt. Remember your thermal currents, air rises with the sun, falls at night. Elk spook and don't hang around a home territory like deer, they could be a mile or more away if spooked. Always whisper as softly as you can, even if you don't think they're around. Video's are a good idea, start with one from a couple of different hunters for info on their different thoughts and styles. Good luck, it's tough with a bow. Practice to 50 - 60 yards on a life size target or try to find a three D course with an elk target.
Thanks guys, I can use all the advice I can get.
Kevin
Kevin
keep the questions coming...
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