Closing the distance (Archery)

[Wentzler1425]

Reccomendations for reading/watching/listening on methods to close the distance? Spot and stalk archery for elk, having trouble in that 80-100 yard range. I *think* I understand the basics of noise, movement, staying in shadows, wind, but for several reasons keep getting busted. Thanks in advance!

 

[S.Clancy]

I had that problem once. Then I started archery hunting antelope spot and stalk. They teach you that you can get away with nothing and getting close is more about taking advantage of terrain and timing than being really sneaky. So practice on other critters, preferably antelope.

 

[Wrench]

One of the biggest hurdles is how far elk spread out. Often it will appear that there's far fewer elk in a group than actually are.....and they are all paying attention. Noise is not even a concern of mine as long as it's not codura on trees of the iphone ring.....elk are loud.

 

[Wentzler1425]

Still very new to this, I've been practicing on mule deer as well (unsuccessfully to date). The recurring issues I seem to have in order are:

1. Bust another animal I did not see
2. Poor pre planned route (hindsight usually)
3. Caught moving, but animal doesn't bolt. They just stare at me for 20 mins, and wind up walking/trotting off.

I'm sure after failing enough different ways I will figure it out, just looking for reading material to cut down the learning curve time.

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm not sure reading material is going to help much. Every situation and every elk is different. What worked one time, might be a complete failure the next. The key I live by is: "Elk can see you and you may still be OK, elk can hear you and you may still be OK, elk can see and hear you and you may still be OK, but if they smell you........they're gone". From my experience, elk are more concerned about "movement" than just seeing you. Just for reference......the elk always know I'm coming before I shoot them.

 

[Wentzler1425]

I'm not sure reading material is going to help much. Every situation and every elk is different. What worked one time, might be a complete failure the next. The key I live by is: "Elk can see you and you may still be OK, elk can hear you and you may still be OK, elk can see and hear you and you may still be OK, but if they smell you........they're gone". From my experience, elk are more concerned about "movement" than just seeing you. Just for reference......the elk always know I'm coming before I shoot them.

There does not seem to be a ton of reading material, maybe you're right. On average what percentage of stalks would you say end in a kill for you? Is it 10% or 90%?

 

[Dennis]

I don;t believe asking what percentage of stalks end with a kill is the right question. If I stalk within my effective range whether I shoot or not is a successful stalk. I would try focusing on successful stalks and not worrying about kills as the measure of success.

 

[5MilesBack]

There does not seem to be a ton of reading material, maybe you're right. On average what percentage of stalks would you say end in a kill for you? Is it 10% or 90%?

Mine aren't really stalks. It's more like "here I am and I'm coming for you.......what are you going to do about it". There are some bulls that just don't want to play that way. But the one's that do I have a very high % of those encounters that put me in bow range. Whether I get or take a shot is a whole other ball game. Not all encounters give me a shot, even within range. I've had bulls at 10 yards where I had no shot at all.

 

[Wentzler1425]

I don;t believe asking what percentage of stalks end with a kill is the right question. If I stalk within my effective range whether I shoot or not is a successful stalk. I would try focusing on successful stalks and not worrying about kills as the measure of success.

Good point, that's what I was thinking but typed it differently. For reference, I'm 1-15 or so for getting to effective range (40-50yards) counting both elk and mulies. Just trying to guage what "good" looks like.

 

[Wentzler1425]

Mine aren't really stalks. It's more like "here I am and I'm coming for you.......what are you going to do about it". There are some bulls that just don't want to play that way. But the one's that do I have a very high % of those encounters that put me in bow range. Whether I get or take a shot is a whole other ball game. Not all encounters give me a shot, even within range. I've had bulls at 10 yards where I had no shot at all.

Not sure I'm following. Although limited, every interaction ive had with elk in general is if they see me coming they bolt.

 

[Z Barebow]

Something that gets lost in "spot and stalk" is also knowing when to pause the "stalk" piece of the equation. At certain moments in an encounter, the deck might be seriously stacked against you. STOP. Assess. Try and figure out if things will change. Do you have too many sets of eyes? Are the thermals in the process of changing? etc. Sometimes a successful spot and stalk encounter is a S&S that turned into an ambush because the hunter was patient when the situation required.

EX. A friend of mine killed a nice MD as it stood up from it's bed. 38 yard shot. I ask him about the encounter. Basically, he was able to approach the deer with adequate cover and wind until 38 yards. He stayed in that spot (On his belly looking through the last remaining bush) for 3.5 hours until the deer stood. He had everything ready, drew as he came up and drilled the deer as it was trying to process what he was. (The deer was worth it!)

I told him I could have never waited that long. I would have become impatient and done something to get busted. He questioned, "You can sit in a tree stand 12 hours waiting for a deer that MIGHT come by. I waited 3 1/2 hours KNOWING I had a trophy deer within range." Makes you think.

 

[Wentzler1425]

Something that gets lost in "spot and stalk" is also knowing when to pause the "stalk" piece of the equation. At certain moments in an encounter, the deck might be seriously stacked against you. STOP. Assess. Try and figure out if things will change. Do you have too many sets of eyes? Are the thermals in the process of changing? etc. Sometimes a successful spot and stalk encounter is a S&S that turned into an ambush because the hunter was patient when the situation required.

EX. A friend of mine killed a nice MD as it stood up from it's bed. 38 yard shot. I ask him about the encounter. Basically, he was able to approach the deer with adequate cover and wind until 38 yards. He stayed in that spot (On his belly looking through the last remaining bush) for 3.5 hours until the deer stood. He had everything ready, drew and he came up and drilled the deer as it was trying to process what he was. (The deer was worth it!)

I told him I could have never waited that long. I would have become impatient and done something to get busted. He questioned, "You can sit in a tree stand 12 hours waiting for a deer that MIGHT come by. I waited 3 1/2 hours KNOWING I had a trophy deer within range." Makes you think.

This is great thanks! One thing I'm constantly fighting mentally about is whether to continue moving or stay put in certain situations, most of the time these are without animals in effective range.

 

[Gerbdog]

Good advice up there on sitting tight. If you have them in range and your just waiting on a shot, be patient patient patient.

That of course comes with the caveat : is the wind going in your favor and going to stay in your favor. I agree with the above, the stalks ive made i was always spotted moving (just freeze in place, theyll usually go back to what they were doing) but soon as they catch your wind the games over.

Stupid little things i do : angle my face down so the brim of my hat is covering my eyes, and i always watch their eyes: lets me know when theyre looking at me or not... kinda obvious here but ive heard the advice dont look them in the eye... never noticed any difference but again... i try and lower the brim of my hat to where i can barely see.

 

[Z Barebow]

Good advice up there on sitting tight. If you have them in range and your just waiting on a shot, be patient patient patient.

That of course comes with the caveat : is the wind going in your favor and going to stay in your favor. I agree with the above, the stalks ive made i was always spotted moving (just freeze in place, theyll usually go back to what they were doing) but soon as they catch your wind the games over.

Stupid little things i do : angle my face down so the brim of my hat is covering my eyes, and i always watch their eyes: lets me know when theyre looking at me or not... kinda obvious here but ive heard the advice dont look them in the eye... never noticed any difference but again... i try and lower the brim of my hat to where i can barely see.

Good comment regarding shade. Your face lights up like a Christmas tree. Even if you don't Shoe Black your face, make sure it is in the shade. (Whether via hat brim of trees)

In elk country, move within the shade. Even the best camo shines in the sun. Additionally in a 'Micro climate", there is a mini thermal pulling your scent from shade to sunny spot.

If you are muley hunting, well shade can be tougher to come by!

 

[Marble]

If you want practice and experience, don't pass an opportunity to stalk anything. From the smallest game animal to the largest. All have pieces that will help with others.

Also, knowing the area you are hunting can be huge.

I shot and stalk turkey quite a bit. They have excellent vision and hearing but do not smell people like ungulates.

For me, if I want to practice my elk hunting set ups I wirk on my predator calling. They have all the same hand ups about coming in to a calling sequence as an elk. When I want to practice stalking, I take every opportunity and follow through until the end.

When you find an animal to stalk, the goal should be for it to never know you are there. It's behavior should remain the same until your interaction begins.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[CodeMonkey]

I had that problem once. Then I started archery hunting antelope spot and stalk. They teach you that you can get away with nothing and getting close is more about taking advantage of terrain and timing than being really sneaky. So practice on other critters, preferably antelope.

I came here to post this exact same thing. With antelope you get a ton of "at bats" and they are more unforgiving than other critters from what I've found.

 

[S.Clancy]

I came here to post this exact same thing. With antelope you get a ton of "at bats" and they are more unforgiving than other critters from what I've found.

I had one see me at 70 yards THRU a giant sage brush this year....those things are the crack addicts of the prairie.

 

[MallardSX2]

Stay in shadows (NEVER STEP INTO THE SUNLIGHT IF YOU CAN HELP IT).
Keep wind in your face.
Go slow then, go slower.
Wear bears feet on bottom of boots.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

One thing I have learned since going completely trad is that you can do everything perfect and still get busted, especially when hunting a herd animal. Lots of eyes, ears, and noses to sneak past. Superior calling and some luck helps.

 

[bohntr]

With experience, you’ll know when to go slow, when to stop, or when to move fast. There’s really no pod cast or book that can replace real life trial and error, IMO. I live with elk year round…I’ve learned a lot on how they act and what I can get away with. Just my .02