First time elk hunting and solo

[Dillon.Curtin]

Recently got into bow hunting. Going to CO mid sept. solo.

Know my odds of success are low but just want to get some experience. Any tips?

 

[isItFallYet]

Sounds like you’re on the right track—that’s how you get experience!

 

[TheHammer]

mid september will land you in the muzzle loading season. Do you know the area you will be hunting? I hunt CO 1-3 times a year and make one scouting trip each july. Always learning something new or updating gear to meet new demands. No matter where you go or how much effort you apply, expect to run into another hunter, as my experience mid week seems to be the least amount of pressure. Be in shape, strengthen your lower leg muscles and have great boots that fit well, have versatile gear as the weather can swing from 10* and 4ft of snow to mid 80s (or the other way around). Be mentally prepared! highest highs n lowest lows. Have everything at home, work, transportation and everywhere else squared away, every t crossed and every i dotted, so you can be as present as possible to be as successful as possible. Mostly, have fun! Try to enjoy it for what it is.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Kill close to the road.

 

[Clarkdale17]

Have a strong back and be tough mentally. Don't shoot one where you question if you can get it out. Best to have that question answered before you shoot it.

 

[160andup]

Just do it and make the most of it. Have a plan and stick to it (for the most part). Being out in the elk woods and getting an encounter is not as hard as a lot of guys make it out to be. Killing one is a different story, though! Just stay out of my spots…

 

[trophyhill]

I would do truck camp and stay mobile. For example a unit i have hunted in the past, when i did truck camp, if nothing was in the area, or got bugered out, i was in the truck and on the move to plan b, c, d and f pretty quick. And killed elk that way the first few years. You'd be surprised how many areas near the roads get overlooked with no pressure other than vehicles driving past as you are closing the deal.

 

[Indian Summer]

Going there in the summer to have an actual look around world be worth the time and every penny.


Be prepared to just enjoy the mountains. Even seeing or hearing an elk when you are a beginner is a bonus. Do everything in your power to set up a rick solid comfortable camp. No little 2 man nylon tent! A bulletproof place to eat sleep and regain your sanity.

 

[isItFallYet]

There are a lot of really good books that are worth reading. IMO, they’re better than any YouTube video. I killed a pretty good 5x5 on my first archery elk hunt. It took 15 days of monotonous hiking and a lot of pain, but I would not have changed a thing. The single best advice I can give you is that you need to go find the elk. Once you find them, then you are “elk hunting”.

 

[cnelk]

Solo hunting elk - be prepared to take a frontal shot.

 

[Delta21]

There are a lot of really good books that are worth reading. IMO, they’re better than any YouTube video. I killed a pretty good 5x5 on my first archery elk hunt. It took 15 days of monotonous hiking and a lot of pain, but I would not have changed a thing. The single best advice I can give you is that you need to go find the elk. Once you find them, then you are “elk hunting”.

Care to share a few that you found informative?

 

[isItFallYet]

Care to share a few that you found

Public Land Elk Hunting
Elk Tactics

 

[rayporter]

dont be surprised if you come home and say "it aint nothing like TV"

 

[Deadfall]

Don't stay put after calling. Even if it's just one little cow chirp. Move atleast 30 yards from spot of call. Then stay put for awhile.

Be patient.

Get the elknut app

 

[rayporter]

well i did not really give advice.
so i will say to take baby steps. learn an area and then hunt it.
conquer your mind-be one with the experience.

a search will show that many give up because the mind gives out. every one says it wont happen to them but the high number of solo hunters that tap out is huge.

 

[Buddha]

If you see one or one comes in don't move one little muscle unless it can't possibly see you. The wind too is a giveaway .

 

[muledeerchaser]

Recently got into bow hunting. Going to CO mid sept. solo.

Know my odds of success are low but just want to get some experience. Any tips?

Elk are massive animals….. You will most likely have a two day retrieval on your hands if you kill one…. Stay close to the trail……..

 

[Deadfall]

If they have to choose between having the wind or the high ground. They will sacrifice the wind in order to get high ground.

 

[Svivian]

Elk are massive animals….. You will most likely have a two day retrieval on your hands if you kill one…. Stay close to the trail……..

I hope it doesn't take two days in the middle of September.

I solo hunt all the time and it takes me an average of 3 trips in rough terrain and 2 trips in reasonable terrain.

 

[JB64]

I also hunt solo and it's a great experience. I spent 6 days in the wilderness last season and had an incredible experience so definitely keep that in mind as you undertake this journey. Manage your expectations too. Probability of kill is low, easily less than 10%. Contact outfitters and local ranches to see if they offer pack out services (plus cost). As many have said, you have to find the elk and on heavily pressured OTC units, this is a challenge. Mind the wind and thermals, in fact let those factors alone dictate how you move across the terrain. Stay in the shadows and don't skyline yourself. Always top off your water. Stay up at night a little later than maybe you want, you'll hear elk communicate a lot at night. During the day, everyone is cosplaying Born and Raised and you will quickly get annoyed after you stalk a few of them.

I could write a lot but there is a lot of great information between these forums, podcast and youTube. Take it all in but most importantly, you have to get in the field to put it all together. Enjoy the process, have fun and stay mobile. Best of luck bro!