Game Changer

[trophyhill]

After thinking about the Elknut Podcast thread, I got to thinking about a few things that really affected how I hunt elk, and have made a huge difference in how I've evolved as an elk hunter.

My first elk hunt in '08, I really had no clue what I was doing, but got addicted just the same. My appetite to become a successful elk hunter is what drives me, and drive me to learn as much as I can, as fast as I could, given that I was 44 at the time.

Not only was I new to bowhunting, and bowhunting elk, the internet was new to me and so that's where I got started looking for information. I was amazed at all the people already talking about elk and sharing their experiences. I have no doubt in my abilities as a hunter, and I know that your experiences are what shape you, and will define you in the end, but here are a few things that kick-started my thought process and are part of my evolution as a bowhunter and elkhunter.

The PlayBook! I can't tell y'all how valuable that was and is. Learning about all the different sounds elk make is still on going and every now and again I am still hearing new sounds that Paul mentioned in the PlayBook. Sounds that just being able to recognize in the heat of the moment, change the game in "The Moment of Truth" if you know what you are hearing, and comprehend what is talked about in The PlayBook.

For the new guys, I still had to have experiences before I totally understood some of the things being talked about in the PlayBook, so don't beat yourself up if you try something out of the PlayBook, and it doesn't work. Chances are you misread the encounter. Thanks a bunch Paul for sharing!
This has been a game changer.

The web is where I also met my friend and Mentor Gregg Stevens. You want to talk about an elk encyclopedia, and a great caller who is as good as any of the competition callers of today. And I say that because he has competed against and hung out with Wayne Carlton, Joel Turner, Dieter Kaboth, Glen Berry, John Sarkesian (I hope I don't butcher John's name) and a host of other greats, as well as working for HS game calls.

Gregg is the one who told me about "The Book" North American Elk Ecology and Management. Now I know why he is a walking encyclopedia. He approaches elk from a different direction than most care to learn about, and encouraged me to learn about elk. Why elk are where they are, behave the way the do, talk the way they do, and everything you want to know about the who, why, what, when and where of an elks life. Deer are in this book as well. Red deer, mule deer, whitetail deer, blacktail deer, Stags and other ungulates. They are all related. It is a dry read, but gaining this knowledge has been a game changer.

Another item for me once I started hunting different units in NM and CO and gaining experience, was a backpack. I started out with a Badlands 2200 and then a 2800. As many here know, and some may not want to admit, these packs in my opinion are not meant to be on an elkhunters back. Especially if you plan on coming out heavy.

The need for me to get away from truck camp and expand my capabilities and explore my curiosities, led me to my first Kifaru, and won't be my last. It has allowed me to sleep with the elk because I am able to pack for 10 days and do things the way I want to do them and further evolve my love of hunting, killing elk as well as seeing what even truck camp hunters will never see. And stepping on ground that only I, or a few others like me have ever stepped on. Having a capable pack that allows room for the necessities has been a game changer

What has been a game changer for you and your quest and ability to become a better elkhunter?

 

[Scoutman]

I started in 05 and have hunted same CO unit since. I used my knowledge of hunting whitetails in the South and adapted it to elk and area I hunt. I hunt terrain more than anything else, so I scout and learn new areas every year that hold elk where I hunt and typically those areas are not easily accessible usually. You are not gonna always not have hunters near you but if you know the area you can use them to your advantage. I call as needed and use all information available throughout YouTube, etc to my advantage. I also practice to be efficient with my weapon of choice and physically prepared as possible, that gets harder every year.

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[Beendare]

I have "The Book"...bought it decades ago.

Did you see where "The Book" says elk won't utilize steep slopes? [as I recall, its been awhile-specifically 30%]

I don't think those guys have ever hunted an OTC unit

_____

 

[Beendare]

Game changers;

Yeah....but I don't outline those on forums

I've found a couple things that work in tough situations...but nothing works 100%.

______

 

[cnelk]

Game Changer = Slow Down / Hunt Soft.

Man when I figured out to leave the hustle and bustle of the real world, and got in the groove of the slow world of nature, I really started having A LOT more encounters.

I realize many only have a week or 10 days to hunt each year.
That alone makes you rush, do stupid things and take chances.

But even in a week or 10 days of hunting soft / slow, you can really up your chances.

 

[OFFHNTN]

Game Changer = Slow Down / Hunt Soft.

Man when I figured out to leave the hustle and bustle of the real world, and got in the groove of the slow world of nature, I really started having A LOT more encounters.

I realize many only have a week or 10 days to hunt each year.
That alone makes you rush, do stupid things and take chances.

But even in a week or 10 days of hunting soft / slow, you can really up your chances.

Totally agree with this!

 

[trophyhill]

Game changers;

Yeah....but I don't outline those on forums

I've found a couple things that work in tough situations...but nothing works 100%.

______

Glad I was able to pick your elkbrain before you stopped posting that stuff on the forums Bruce! Your advice over the years has been invaluable to me as well!

 

[cgasner1]

Game Changer = Slow Down / Hunt Soft.

Man when I figured out to leave the hustle and bustle of the real world, and got in the groove of the slow world of nature, I really started having A LOT more encounters.

I realize many only have a week or 10 days to hunt each year.
That alone makes you rush, do stupid things and take chances.

But even in a week or 10 days of hunting soft / slow, you can really up your chances.

I remember when it was either kill a bull or push him out of the country this really sums it up I find myself anymore leaving elk after I get on them in the morning and setting up for the evening play when I have tome to make it happen on my terms as much as possible


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[ElkNut1]

When I understood each elk (bulls) can differ in their wants or needs. I had to adjust my aggressive thinking towards all elk & incorporate differing styles for bulls as individuals. Now I adapt to what will give me the highest odds for success to That Bull. Some I play aggressively & some will be slow played in a variety of tactics, the bulls emotional state dictates my strategy & is it a heavy pressured area or a layed back area with few to no hunters, all this plays into my decision.

ElkNut/Paul

 

[5MilesBack]

Understanding the bull I'm dealing with and then hunting him my way. I read, studied, practiced, and implemented techniques from a few different sources and didn't have the success I expected. Then I started just using my intuition and my own methodologies and things really started coming together. I used an entire season in a pretty good unit to practice and hone those methods and it was an amazing season. The next year I used those same methods in an OTC unit and had an incredible encounter and ended up killing a 308" bull. It's been very successful every season since.

 

[Indian Summer]

I like a serious challenge with a big reward. That could very well be my downfall. I have the elk thing down to a science so I’m thinking about moving on to Bigfoot. Rifle hunting of course. Does anyone know when the Bigfoot rut is?

 

[Beendare]

Game changers;

Yeah....but I don't outline those on forums

I've found a couple things that work in tough situations...but nothing works 100%.

______

Yeah, my apologies.......that was a dick comment.

I totally agree with Brads post. One of the hardest things to do is come from our busy lives and when we hit the woods...to slow way down.

One thing that I go back and forth on is the conflicting internet calling advice. I lean towards the "Trying to understand the mentality of the bull you are hunting" vs Cory Jacobsens ELK 101 strategy of "Dictating to the bull what you want"

After elk hunting many years....I can see where both types of thinking work.

 

[Gapmaster]

I live in Arkansas but have bow hunted elk since 96’ almost every year. It took me several years of blunders and complete screw ups to become consistent at killing elk. I totally agree with the “slow it down” mode.

Growing up Eastern Turkey hunting taught me alot about “reading” an animal’s mood and playing to that mood. Of course elk are a totally different animal in some senses but the logic remains the same. If they are burning up the mountain, then I am too. If it’s quite and the bulls are softly squealing in pressured areas...then so am I. No two bulls are the same and rarely have I seen the same scenario play out the same.

Make the best decision you can with the info you have and DON’T second guess your moves. Confidence plays a huge role in archery elk hunting in my opinion.

 

[ElkNut1]

Bruce, exactly! You have to choose your battles! If you are going to call & call in the vast majority of bulls you are are working! To be subtle with every bull or aggressive with every bull is a huge mistake hunters make every year. You must be versatile & willing to adapt to that day as days will vary from day to day as far as a bulls attitude goes!

ElkNut/Paul

 

[trophyhill]

Game Changer = Slow Down / Hunt Soft.

Man when I figured out to leave the hustle and bustle of the real world, and got in the groove of the slow world of nature, I really started having A LOT more encounters.

I realize many only have a week or 10 days to hunt each year.
That alone makes you rush, do stupid things and take chances.

But even in a week or 10 days of hunting soft / slow, you can really up your chances.

Back in 2013 when I moved back from Hawaii, I decided to hunt the whole month of September before going back to work. I killed a bull on the 4th of Sept in CO, ran down to unit 37 NM, called in a bull for my buddy, then ran back up to CO with a cow tag.

I hunted with a couple guys 10 years my JR and they just loved racing each other up the mountain seeing who could get there first, and passing elk trails up right and left. I knew right then and there that moving slow was the way to go. Another reason and I think a game changer, hunting alone and living on elk time.

 

[5MilesBack]

I lean towards the "Trying to understand the mentality of the bull you are hunting" vs Cory Jacobsens ELK 101 strategy of "Dictating to the bull what you want"

Hmmm....I've never heard Corey's ELK 101 strategy before this.......but I like it. Of course, I'm a control freak as well. Me to the elk......."This is the way it's going to be.......you can cooperate and die, or you can just leave. But if you leave, I'll just kill you in a few days instead....LOL." It's just one big chess game that lasts 4 weeks.

 

[Flyfishmtns]

When I understood each elk (bulls) can differ in their wants or needs. I had to adjust my aggressive thinking towards all elk & incorporate differing styles for bulls as individuals. Now I adapt to what will give me the highest odds for success to That Bull. Some I play aggressively & some will be slow played in a variety of tactics, the bulls emotional state dictates my strategy & is it a heavy pressured area or a layed back area with few to no hunters, all this plays into my decision.

ElkNut/Paul

A couple of other videos from Paul where he talks about his top 4 calls, along with two others that are situation dependent are very helpful. Google / youtube search for Paul Medel Elk Calls. I bough his app - $9.99 to refine / practice my calls. So far I have been successful at pissing my wife off and scaring the family cat.

My recommendation is to watch Paul or others for what they consider Elk Calls...then watch some of the elk hunt videos and see if you can identify what call they used, and yes, acknowledging the 100s that did not. Additionally, watch videos of elk herds and their calls....ID the calls. We all do not live or feed elk herds in our back yards like Paul did in the 1980s where he started listening and ID each call as the elk Talked.

 

[Flyfishmtns]

FYI, the ElkNut app has Bugles (by ElkNut) and recordings of a real / live elk...plus, a place to record your own with play back loops for each.

 

[trophyhill]

Hmmm....I've never heard Corey's ELK 101 strategy before this.......but I like it. Of course, I'm a control freak as well. Me to the elk......."This is the way it's going to be.......you can cooperate and die, or you can just leave. But if you leave, I'll just kill you in a few days instead....LOL." It's just one big chess game that lasts 4 weeks.

At first I hit like on this post but I had to rescind and laught at it. Wish I could do both. One thing I learned growing up and playing chess, don't get in a hurry, or think to far ahead or it could be checkmate pretty quick. In the elkwoods you don't want to put yourself in checkmate......unless you don't mind adding another 4 miles on to your pack out. In your case though, that would be like asking you to sit down in a tree stand. At least if you were in a ground blind you could move a little

 

[5MilesBack]

In the elkwoods you don't want to put yourself in checkmate......unless you don't mind adding another 4 miles on to your pack out.

Actually there's a little twist to Corey's methodology......."Leading or encouraging the elk to go or do what they really want to go or do......even before they know they want to go there or do that". It's like leading them into checkmate.......because they really do want to go there.