Changes for next year...

[NJFikkert]

My bow is going to get tuned up. New strings, silencers, and rest. New heavier arrows as well.

Another change I would like to make is to find a hunting partner that is a comparable caller. It's hard getting those bulls to finish when you're on your own.

That is a good point. Seems like the “best caller” never gets to be in shooting position for themselves.

 

[NJFikkert]

First, try to find an area where I can actually find an elk. I have to totally re-think how I go about selecting places to hunt. Perhaps give up on archery hunting for now. Way too many Bowhunters these days, some rifle hunts might be less crowded.

I was in the best shape of my life. Day one went all out, almost 20 miles. IT band flared up and it put a huge damper on the rest of my hunt. I’m going to have to learn to ease into it, and also that the one who hikes the farthest isn’t always the one who gets an elk. That goes against everything I have ever thought and I need to keep trying to learn that.
Also, just keep shooting. Usually shoulder issues force me to take the off-season off but this year the shoulder feels good so I am going to keep shooting the bow.
And finally, hopefully, actually see/kill an elk next year.

 

[5MilesBack]

That is a good point. Seems like the “best caller” never gets to be in shooting position for themselves.

Hunting solo adds some complexity to the equation, but that just adds to the challenge of this chess game, and makes it that much more enjoyable.....especially when you call checkmate.

 

[Elkhntr08]

What's an IT band????

Iliotbial band, basically run from the thigh to the knee.

 

[5MilesBack]

Iliotbial band, basically run from the thigh to the knee.

With all the sports and elk hunting I've done over the decades, I'm surprised I've never heard of this before now. I thought I was pretty "up" on anatomy as well. Thanks.

 

[Elkhntr08]

Don’t feel bad, I had to look it up.

 

[Dos Perros]

After some more research I don’t think it was my IT band, but more likely whatever ligament(s) run on the outside of the knee.

 

[SWOHTR]

1. Find an area where elk are. The northern ID rainforests don’t lend themselves well to that for a beginner.

2. Learn how to call better and what it all means.

3. This is “maybe” and I guess gear related: get a 10mm of some sort. Have a 1911A1 but I’ve read enough to know better about the .45ACP’s abilities in bear country. Now that I live in CA, that appears to be a bit harder as I was considering a Gen 4 Glock 20...like I said, not critical at the moment.

 

[Mn Sawtooth]

My bow is going to get tuned up. New strings, silencers, and rest. New heavier arrows as well.

Another change I would like to make is to find a hunting partner that is a comparable caller. It's hard getting those bulls to finish when you're on your own.

I totally agree I would like to do the same and also a partner that shoots their bow more and tunes their broadheads sooner than 5 days before the trip and a partner that gets themselves in shape so we don't have leave the backcountry and bugling bulls after 3 days and a partner that is mentally tough and driven to hunt. Can you guess how my hunt went

 

[Moondoondude]

Move my dates back, just a bit. Never hunted so late in September (21-28 this year). Wanted to try it because the area I hunted was planned based off of pressure - and that was the end of archery and right after blackpowder.

Although I have nothing to complain about, I prefer earlier for the biggest bulls.