An Elk's Vision

[Kerrbow]

I remember 23 years ago blowing a shot opportunity on an 8x7 bull because I made a small movement while he was 60 yds. away coming to me. I know they have great eyesight and easily spooked by movement. My question is do you like to set up in front of cover, behind some cover, or what, if you have time to spare before they get close.

 

[Back Country Hunter 2]

I want at least one tree on either side of me that he can pass while I draw my bow. I've already ranged those areas as well so not to have extra movement.

 

[trophyhill]

I want at least one tree on either side of me that he can pass while I draw my bow. I've already ranged those areas as well so not to have extra movement.

Always nice when you can do that. Doesn’t always work though. A few years ago I pass on a cow, and 30 seconds later hear comes the herd bull up the trail. I should have drawn as soon as I saw his antler tips. I had the opportunity. Fleeting as it was. I was gonna wait til he passed behind a tree and draw while he was at 5 yards, and kill him at 5’. He stops at 15 yards and pisses for 30 seconds and I’m pinned down on 2 knees and my release clipped. Suddenly the ground is being stomped 5’ behind me by a frantic cow making all kinds of mew sounds then runs down the mountain and the bull turns and bolts. I stopped him at 40 yards broadside with a nervous grunt and come to full draw but don’t have a shot. After a few seconds he runs down the mountain following those cows. That one still hurts!

 

[Felix40]

Ive always felt that elk dont have that great of eyesight. As long as you are in a shadow and have minimal cover its fine. Totally the opposite of sheep.

 

[elkguide]

None of the elk that I have hunted have been wearing glasses.
Very good eyesight. Had movement picked up from very long distances.

 

[5MilesBack]

I set up wherever I am at the moment when I determine the bull is coming in or is already there. Two years ago I was running up the slope with an arrow nocked when I saw his legs moving from my left to right through the timber above me. I was out in the open. I immediately stopped and drew back and he walked right into my sight window........thwaack!

 

[Kerrbow]

I set up wherever I am at the moment when I determine the bull is coming in or is already there. Two years ago I was running up the slope with an arrow nocked when I saw his legs moving from my left to right through the timber above me. I was out in the open. I immediately stopped and drew back and he walked right into my sight window........thwaack!

I am presuming that if you saw his legs that his head was hidden allowing you to draw undetected correct? When he cleared the timber was he aware you were there but it was too late to bolt.

 

[backcountryshaffer]

I have not had an experience like a small movement at 60 sending them packing. Generally for me it is when they are coming to a call expecting to see an elk and there is no elk to be seen at the location the call came from. Doesn't happen with spikes, they always seem to come barreling in. Obviously scent will send them on a bolt to get outta dodge, that happens way too often with squirly winds.

 

[5MilesBack]

I am presuming that if you saw his legs that his head was hidden allowing you to draw undetected correct? When he cleared the timber was he aware you were there but it was too late to bolt.

I have no idea what he saw.......I couldn't see his head until he walked into an opening. As soon as he entered the small opening he stopped and looked right at me, so he definitely saw me then. But I was already at full draw and releasing the arrow within 1.5 seconds of him walking into my sights. He didn't have a chance at that point. That was the bull in my avatar. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone get away with drawing while a bull was looking at them. They don't really care much for movement, especially in close.

In 2014 I got stuck in the open and only had one tree between me and a nice 6x6 and he was coming. He was on a trail and if continued he would pass me at about 3 feet, as I was next to the trail when he decided to come. At that point it was too late for me to move, so I timed my draw when his head went behind the one tree above me. I got to about an inch from full draw when he caught that last bit of movement and just stopped. So now we're in the stare-down at 35 yards with his vitals behind the tree. I hate those.

 

[Beendare]

Elk are like deer in that respect; they spot movement. I've had them walk right past me in arms reach on a few occasions when holding perfectly still. Had a 6 point bull sniff my boot in Utah......and a cow I passed in WY wander in behind me and sniff right next to my ear.

But then I've been slowly scanning with my bino's in heavy timber and caught a sliver of an elk scanning for movement before coming in to the call. The art of holding still on a calling setup cannot be over emphasized IMO.

I like setting up 3'-4' behind a tree so you can use the tree by shielding yourself from his eyes watching the bulls behind.......or out in front of cover.

...

 

[Kerrbow]

I have 4 first time elk hunters with me in camp this year and I have been trying to explain how critical getting drawn w/o being seen is. I hope they pay attention to this, plus how crucial wind direction and thermals are. We shall see.

 

[Marble]

I think John Dudley had an expert on his podcast on deer/elk eye sight. I think it was mostly on deer.

They see horizontally from side to side (it's how their eyes are shaped) and do not have the greatest ability to focus really closely on an item like our eye sight can. Their eye sight is designed to be able to pick up movement, while moving, where a predator would be. Which would be on the ground near them.

For Elk and Turkeys, I take the same approach and prefer a natural barrier that gives me the chance to draw and when they cannot see me.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have 4 first time elk hunters with me in camp this year and I have been trying to explain how critical getting drawn w/o being seen is. I hope they pay attention to this, plus how crucial wind direction and thermals are. We shall see.

If you have that many guys then you'll most likely be using calling setups for specific shooters, so they should be able to see what's going on and get drawn well ahead of time before the bulls are staring right at them. And hopefully they aren't guys that just about pull their arm out of socket and make a bunch of movement trying to draw their bows.

 

[Kerrbow]

If you have that many guys then you'll most likely be using calling setups for specific shooters, so they should be able to see what's going on and get drawn well ahead of time before the bulls are staring right at them. And hopefully they aren't guys that just about pull their arm out of socket and make a bunch of movement trying to draw their bows.

We will be in groups of 3. They seem to be able to draw straight back, rather than reaching for the sky to draw. Who knows what happens when elk fever hits. They have been watching videos on the right way to do things since we applied in April, hopefully it's sunk in.

 

[5MilesBack]

Make sure they can let down slowly as well. If the need to let down arises, there's a good chance that they could still get a shot if they don't scare the bull into the next county wrapping the bow around themselves.

 

[CX5Ranch]

It's been my experience to go ahead and draw when you think time is right. Dont ever stop drawing once you start. If you do they will pin you down and then you cant move. But if you will just jerk it back, if they see you they will usually stop and stare for 2 milliseconds.

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