Just got back from grand mesa area last night. We had 4 or 5 bulls bugling for one day and one night about 8 days ago then nothing. They were still there just not talking. Called one in but busted me drawing.
In CO does the rut normally start in one part of the state first then other areas follow?
Currently spending a week and a half or so in a silex. With gear and nice weather it works. Bad weather plus stove, wood and gear it will be packed to the gills.
Been finding elk sign everywhere from. Just below 9,000 to around 10,000. Now finding the elk has been a different story. They bugled one day and we had a blast. Had a chance at a nice 5x5 but he busted me trying to draw. They've been quiet for almost a week now.... Been trying to wait then out...
Second week in the mountains in Northern Co. It's rained 6 or 7 days here all day where I've been. I have sitka storm front pants and dew point jacket. Before the trip I didn't want to pack them in because of the weight but glad I did especially as much abuse as they've seen on this trip.
I've had similar issues to the OP. Nock tuning fixed it sometimes but I finally went to larger vanes and it's helped arrow flight with fixed blade heads. Those are pretty small vanes you're running.
No issues with mine far and have had it a few years. I haven't laid hands on a NXS to compare it to though. The zero stop would be nice honestly but you get used to it after a while.
I thought about the same thing a while back using a Niak. Just using the outter for early elk season to lower the weight and have a floorless shelter. Lots of options out there.
Make sure you have enough fletching for a fixed blade. Test the arrows you have built with broadheads. If they're weak cut them down some like Zac said and see if you can get them to fly. Don't forget to nock tune those arrows it makes a huge difference in my broadhead flight.
I am going thru a similar process just with kids not wife and have come to the conclusion there's going to be a weight penalty for using one shelter for all seasons during the summer if you want a stove in the winter. This what I'm throwing around. Getting a cimarron with stove for colder times...
OP do you have kids yet? If she's questioning things already it'll get worse after kids. I don't hunt as much as I'd like at the moment probably get 20 days or so this past year. My daughter has gotten old enough to start scouting with me and is interested in camping and hunting so that will...
Along with what everyone else has said I also use a band. Tie one end off to something shoulder level grab the band and do the same motion as drawing your bow to your anchor point then hold it for a count of 30 and work up from there. I've noticed a big difference since doing this on being able...