I blew opening morning

[fracguy]

So went up and set up camp off a 4wheel road about 4 miles in. Had a nice little fire going and sitting and enjoying the quiet. Then out of the blue a bugle and another and another all super close. So kicked the fire pit and threw dirt on it to try to keep the smoke down. Soon the valley was full of cow talk and bugling. This started about 830pm and went on til about 1am. Finally fell asleep and my alarm vibrated my face at 4am. Sat there still and listening for a solid 30 minutes before I made any movements. Didn't hear nothing so got out of sleeping bag, put boots on, grabbed bow and unzipped the tent door. Turned around and there in my face under the moonlight 40 yards away was a cow. I instantly froze and she barked and another one barked behind me super close and then was an all out elk stampede. Hind sight, should have sat until day light before even thinking about getting up just in case. I left 5 days early, that frustrated me, first year with glasses and wanted to stomp them in the dirt as they costed me 2 shots, between fogging up and not being able to see through range finder with them so moving a bit. Had truck issues, wheeler issues and it all got the better of me mentally so went home last night. Still have a couple weeks I can go back. Learned no more camp fires also. Was a lot of fun, chased this little guy around every day by my camp, he was a step ahead the entire time though. First archery elk hunt so a lot to learn yet. Any advice on what I should have done with an entire herd bedded that close? Counted 138 beds within 200 yards of my camp and probably 2 dozen of them were within 40-50 yards.

 

[TreeDux]

So went up and set up camp off a 4wheel road about 4 miles in. Had a nice little fire going and sitting and enjoying the quiet. Then out of the blue a bugle and another and another all super close. So kicked the fire pit and threw dirt on it to try to keep the smoke down. Soon the valley was full of cow talk and bugling. This started about 830pm and went on til about 1am. Finally fell asleep and my alarm vibrated my face at 4am. Sat there still and listening for a solid 30 minutes before I made any movements. Didn't hear nothing so got out of sleeping bag, put boots on, grabbed bow and unzipped the tent door. Turned around and there in my face under the moonlight 40 yards away was a cow. I instantly froze and she barked and another one barked behind me super close and then was an all out elk stampede. Hind sight, should have sat until day light before even thinking about getting up just in case. I left 5 days early, that frustrated me, first year with glasses and wanted to stomp them in the dirt as they costed me 2 shots, between fogging up and not being able to see through range finder with them so moving a bit. Had truck issues, wheeler issues and it all got the better of me mentally so went home last night. Still have a couple weeks I can go back. Learned no more camp fires also. Was a lot of fun, chased this little guy around every day by my camp, he was a step ahead the entire time though. First archery elk hunt so a lot to learn yet. Any advice on what I should have done with an entire herd bedded that close? Counted 138 beds within 200 yards of my camp and probably 2 dozen of them were within 40-50 yards.

That outcome would be hard on morale. The good news is you figured out where they are/were. When you go back, you’ll have to carefully figure out if they’re still there or if they’ve moved. Still, it’s pretty clear they like the area. Others may chime in, but in my mind, the single biggest thing to do differently is camp well away from where elk are and walk in for your hunt.

 

[fracguy]

That outcome would be hard on morale. The good news is you figured out where they are/were. When you go back, you’ll have to carefully figure out if they’re still there or if they’ve moved. Still, it’s pretty clear they like the area. Others may chime in, but in my mind, the single biggest thing to do differently is camp well away from where elk are and walk in for your hunt.

I had no idea they were there. There was a very few tracks in the muddy areas that were a few days old, no fresh poo or anything. Hiked around a bit before I set up there, figured they would be higher up than where I was camping. Otherwise I'd have set up somewhere else. Saw a lot of sign about 3/4 to a mile away so figured I'd be safe there. Apparently not haha.

 

[StupidLightweight]

Exactly what TreeDux said. It's never a good idea to camp inside the red zone. Avoiding this isn't always possible, because elk do what elk want. In this situation, i'm not sure how it could have played out differently.

I'm impressed the elk bedded that close to you and were so quiet for 30 minutes. I bet your jaw dropped when you unzipped the tent! Cool memory, if nothing else. Keep at it. Eventually, it will pay off.

 

[fracguy]

Exactly what TreeDux said. It's never a good idea to camp inside the red zone. Avoiding this isn't always possible, because elk do what elk want. In this situation, i'm not sure how it could have played out differently.

I'm impressed the elk bedded that close to you and were so quiet for 30 minutes. I bet your jaw dropped when you unzipped the tent! Cool memory, if nothing else. Keep at it. Eventually, it will pay off.

I'm sure my jaw hit the ground and bounced back up lol. Was most definitely awesome being that close to all of them talking. I may make a short YouTube of it.

 

[shootnrun]

This is something that happens occasionally when backpack hunting. Especially with elk, as I think other animals can have more predictable habitat and elk move a lot. Learn from it, try not to set up camp in a similar type of area again to avoid bedding areas and get back out there. Its sept 5th, there is a lot of season left.

 

[Bamf_Pa]

Blowing it on elk is my skill set lol 30 plus years I will blow it more often than not lol. Yesterday midday I set out my elk fan decoy and cow called every 20 minutes after an hour of nothing but heat and midges I ate lunch and a I put it away a 320 6 point came running in at my decoy I knocked my bow down trying to grab it lol. Still got to full draw but he was not impressed with my lack of skills. It’s elk hunting finding them is hard enough killing them is fun but shit doesn’t always go as planned just pick up and go again.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Chalk it up to a win, not everybody can say they slept among a herd of Elk. Enjoy the experience and build on it. Looks like a great camp. You said no more campfires, but it worked out this time maybe Elk like campfires too.

 

[bozeman]

HEHE...I did this about 5 years ago. Hiked into a new area, setup camp, bugles all night, could hear them running around outside the tent. It was awesome to listen to their vocalizations most of the night. Just a place I chose to camp, but right in their 'zone'. Best of luck the remainder of the season.

 

[fracguy]

Blowing it on elk is my skill set lol 30 plus years I will blow it more often than not lol. Yesterday midday I set out my elk fan decoy and cow called every 20 minutes after an hour of nothing but heat and midges I ate lunch and a I put it away a 320 6 point came running in at my decoy I knocked my bow down trying to grab it lol. Still got to full draw but he was not impressed with my lack of skills. It’s elk hunting finding them is hard enough killing them is fun but shit doesn’t always go as planned just pick up and go again.

Its usually when you least expect it. I was hiking here at home a couple years ago and sat down on a rock to have a drink and a cookie, unwrapped my cookie and heard a twig snap, turned around and here is a bull staring at me at about 20 yards. We started at each other for a minute and he just turned and casually walked back in the timber, I laughed and asked if he wanted the other one but obviously not by the crashing away he did after that lol

 

[fracguy]

HEHE...I did this about 5 years ago. Hiked into a new area, setup camp, bugles all night, could hear them running around outside the tent. It was awesome to listen to their vocalizations most of the night. Just a place I chose to camp, but right in their 'zone'. Best of luck the remainder of the season.

Yup, just a spot I chose. Yes it was one of the coolest things I have experienced in the woods.

 

[fracguy]

Chalk it up to a win, not everybody can say they slept among a herd of Elk. Enjoy the experience and build on it. Looks like a great camp. You said no more campfires, but it worked out this time maybe Elk like campfires too.

It was a bit on the chilly side, maybe they wanted to warm up

 

[fracguy]

I missed all the good bugles

 

[hereinaz]

That’s awesome. That is Type II fun. It is hard to keep positive mental attitude in the difficult times.

I’ve changed my goal to adventure, to try to keep my mind positive. Helps me keep my attitude up and smile in the face of “adventure”.

 

[TradLife406]

My OG honey hole would have camp elk. Back in the glory days... sigh...

We had the best camp spot for avoiding elk but those things would roll through camp. Like directly by our tents. Sometimes it can't be avoided.

We were targeting elk in the north slope so we camped on the south side.

There used to be so many elk we actually almost killed right at camp.

Not sure it'll ever be like that again. But honestly camp elk are annoying. You're trying to sleep then some chucklehead rips off a bugle. Then you try and go after him that morning and he's no where to be found


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dtrkyman]

Hunted elk one season and never got on anything near camp in 8 days, had a guy pack in a wall tent for us with his horses so no chance to relocate.

That last night after season was over we listened to elk bugling, fighting and cow calling all night long in our little valley! UGG!

 

[fracguy]

Thanks for the reassurance that everyone blows elk out lol. I did find myself with having a strange issue I've never had before. I've never been afraid of the dark in the woods, out of camp well before light and back well after dark. The last morning I was there I got up and went to unzip tent and said nope not doing it, waited til daylight, night was same, usually sat until last light before heading back and my last night said nope, I'll be back to the tent at dark. Felt like something was watching me, but I know there is nothing there that will bother me just a really creeped out feeling. I don't know if it was a way of myself bumming out or what but that played a big factor in me leaving early. Anyone else ever experience anything like that before? Was just a weird feeling

 

[fracguy]

My OG honey hole would have camp elk. Back in the glory days... sigh...

We had the best camp spot for avoiding elk but those things would roll through camp. Like directly by our tents. Sometimes it can't be avoided.

We were targeting elk in the north slope so we camped on the south side.

There used to be so many elk we actually almost killed right at camp.

Not sure it'll ever be like that again. But honestly camp elk are annoying. You're trying to sleep then some chucklehead rips off a bugle. Then you try and go after him that morning and he's no where to be found


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I played cat and mouse with one lone raghorn morning and evening hunts. I'd set up and he'd show on opposite side every time. He only ever offered one chance and was a really hard quartering to shot and I opted to let him walk. I'm going back Tuesday morning, my daughter has all A's so going on Monday to talk to teachers. She's never been elk hunting and figured she could get her feet wet before it's ass biting cold in November for her late season cow tag.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Thanks for the reassurance that everyone blows elk out lol. I did find myself with having a strange issue I've never had before. I've never been afraid of the dark in the woods, out of camp well before light and back well after dark. The last morning I was there I got up and went to unzip tent and said nope not doing it, waited til daylight, night was same, usually sat until last light before heading back and my last night said nope, I'll be back to the tent at dark. Felt like something was watching me, but I know there is nothing there that will bother me just a really creeped out feeling. I don't know if it was a way of myself bumming out or what but that played a big factor in me leaving early. Anyone else ever experience anything like that before? Was just a weird feeling

No I believe your subconscious was picking up on something. I've been in the woods 45+ years including older childhood and lots of that time was alone, only a few times ever experienced that but I'm 100% sure it's legit. Some guys get in their own heads all the time but some of us who're used to it when we feel that I believe it's best to give it at least some attention.
Probably just the game warden watching you through thermal binos though.

 

[fracguy]

No I believe your subconscious was picking up on something. I've been in the woods 45+ years including older childhood and lots of that time was alone, only a few times ever experienced that but I'm 100% sure it's legit. Some guys get in their own heads all the time but some of us who're used to it when we feel that I believe it's best to give it at least some attention.
Probably just the game warden watching you through thermal binos though.

I dunno, was definitely strange. Been going out in the woods since I was a kid raccoon hunting and never been "scared of the dark". But for some odd reason I just did not want to be there at all. Talked to my wife about it last night as well and she said pretty much same thing you said, something was saying something. I don't know if it was all the frustration and being alone finally got the better of me or what. I go solo all the time but always home later, this was first time since I was a teenager that I spent days alone like that. When I was a dumb teenager I'd say see ya mom and dad, going out to the mountains and spend a week or 2 back in fishing and having fun alone sleeping under the stars. I did find an older thread on here from quite a few years ago that was very similar and a lot of guys chalked it up to getting older and wiser. From the talks of everyone the game warden had been making rounds so maybe you're right