Late Season Archery Tips and Tricks

[Rocky723]

Alright everyone I have an upcoming late season archery elk hunt that I am preparing for and didn't see a thread on this so thought we should get one started. Everyone throw in their tips and tricks for late season Archery hunting these animals. Anything from keeping your hands warm and still making a good shot with or without gloves on to how to not freeze your butt off while taking a squat and all the little gear that is nice to have or as well tactics for finding and locating. My specific tag I will be hunting December 27th-31st so it'll be cold but let's hear them!

 

[WeiserBucks]

Really tough to answer. Do you think they'll be on sage winter ground? Private ag? That's probably going to be a tough hunt.

 

[Customweld]

Lots of eyes to avoid that late in the year. I've hunted a lot of December short range hunts, here are some of my findings:
The herds are bigger, with lots of sentinels looking in all directions. It's hard to avoid being seen trying to get close enough for an archery shot.
Unlike earlier season, I have found that when they do spook, they don't truck out for the next county. They will move a shorter distance and usually start grazing again.
If you do get in to a bigger herd and they spook, there are always stragglers that have no idea why the rest of the herd is running. Don't panic, they will generally calm back down.
Bring a jet stove with you. A hot meal changes perspective .

 

[Rocky723]

Really tough to answer. Do you think they'll be on sage winter ground? Private ag? That's probably going to be a tough hunt.

A solid mix of both sage winter ground and private ag, this specific unit I am targeting has huge wintering ground that stretches across lots of the unit so whatever I can get into. Mainly just looking for what's helped you guys enjoy the hunt and bear the cold a little more.

 

[hibernation]

That time of year, there's a lot of darkness and time spent not actually hunting. Having your camp dialed in is as important as anything else. Being able to warm up, dry out, eat a good meal, and sleep well goes a long way toward bearing the cold better during the day.