Group Archery Tactics

[Doc Holliday]

It's that time of year when a couple of buddies are talking about how they want to kill an elk with a bow next year.

In the unlikely event that 3, 4, 5, or 6 guys actually move forward and make the trip together, what would be a good way to actually hunt once you make camp/get out of the truck?

I'm thinking pairs? One shooter, one caller? Or 3, one shooter, two callers?

Trying to think about how we would need to break up. If you all tell me it should be pairs, then I can help guide these early conversations accordingly and make sure we have enough people practicing calling, etc

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Pgohil]

Groups of 3 are good. 2 shooters and 1 caller. Or pairs. That's my opinion. The 2 shooter options allows for a setup that catches the bugger slipping in downwind and silent easier.

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[Next Ridge]

I can envision few scenarios worse at this point than 5 new elk hunters at once looking to me to show them around and what to do...
That said, I would use the numbers to cover tons of ground solo and find elk first, then once elk are found, split into groups of two and hunt. Depending on where the elk are maybe cover different areas if they are in many small groups dispersed or two sides of same feature if more concentrated.
this is assuming they learn how to call even a little bit. If not i would just find trails and water and sit them on them.

 

[5MilesBack]

They've already shown themselves to be unreliable even in the best of circumstances, so I wouldn't go anywhere near a hunting season with them and just hunt solo.

 

[87TT]

X2. I want any hunting partner to be as passionate as me and all in.

 

[feanor]

Being on the same page mentally, physically and in terms of elk knowledge and how you want to hunt them is incredibly important. Especially if you are there for a week long hunt etc. Choose your hunting partners wisely! A 3 party group with two callers can add the illusion of a dialogue or interaction behind the shooter which can be valuable. But i also like the aforementioned two shooter tactic to catch the cautious silent elk.

 

[wapitibob]

don't do it

 

[Crowmangler]

I agree with 5milesback .. however if you want to entertain the idea I would have a serious sit down heart to heart with them and discuss EVERY SINGLE aspect of how the hunt will go, from tag draws to transportation to camp gear/ duties, real world costs, and especially how the shooter/ caller will be determined. Are they gonna practice calling, get themselves in good enough shape to not hold back other people in the group? Explain to them the slim chances of 4 or more people actually seeing elk on a trip, much less getting a shot. Sounds like a good way to ruin some good friendships lol.

 

[AaronMColeman]

I can envision few scenarios worse at this point than 5 new elk hunters at once looking to me to show them around and what to do...
That said, I would use the numbers to cover tons of ground solo and find elk first, then once elk are found, split into groups of two and hunt. Depending on where the elk are maybe cover different areas if they are in many small groups dispersed or two sides of same feature if more concentrated.
this is assuming they learn how to call even a little bit. If not i would just find trails and water and sit them on them.

100% agree.
- I wouldn't go unless they are gungho about it. The guys I hunt with talk about elk all year and I wouldn't go with them if they weren't as committed AND excited as I was. So enthusiasm is #1 to me.

- I wouldn't go unless they shoot their bow a lot throughout the year. This shows commitment and enthusiasm. Plus who wants to hunt with someone who can only take a 15y shot and who could end up wounding the animal.

- I wouldn't go unless they LEARN TO CALL! Calling with someone else is so much more fun and productive. If they aren't committed to learning a basic cow call and a basic bugle, forget it.

- I wouldn't go unless they are all committed to being in tip top shape by season. One out of shape partner can become super frustrating super fast.


As far as tactics, I'd make sure to split into groups of 2 maybe 3. I prefer 2 for archery, less noise, and the third caller doesn't help much in my experience. Read up on 2 person calling scenarios. If you have 2-3 "teams" spread out some and cover more country.

 

[Sanchez]

I would divide the landscape into different areas and then let each hunter or pair of hunters have an area which is theirs to hunt until they give it up. The approach is to cover ground broadly until you find good sign, and then at a later date when everything is right, come back to those areas with the intent to harvest.

The problem with my groups is a few people (or frequently only me) cover ground and find elk. If we don't pre-plan, the least capable or lazy will wait for you to find elk then hammer the area with known elk exclusively. When those elk are spooked or driven away, they will again wait until more elk are found, and then immediately zero in giving the person that actually found the elk little chance. If people you hunt with have not shot many elk before, they will guilt you into giving them the best crack at any and all spots you find with known elk.

 

[cowboydan]

I can promise that I trust zero of my friends to actually commit to anything like this. I took a simple 3 day float trip with a first timer buddy this year and it went horrible . I will never again unless the person wanting to go sits down with me and we get %100 on the same page .

 

[Dryfly1]

You don't know somebody until you spend 10 days living with them in elk camp. Elk hunting with others is much like a relationship. It takes a long time to develop the good ones. Everybody has to give 125%. Attitude, fitness, shooting ability, ability to call well, and most important always be ready to pitch in and share the suck.

DFOCR