% of elk hunters…methods

[PredatoronthePrairie]

Definitely something to be said for this aesthetic -you get out there and get in the zone and stay in the zone to varying intensities: Its all hunting, nothing but hunting 24/7, even when you are sleeping.

Spot on with this point.

One bull I killed, probably would not have if I didn't hear him bugle in a strange spot, while half asleep in the tent at 3am.

 

[RyanS612]

I hunt from my camper every morning. Where I am at in CO, the elk sometimes come all the way down by camp at night so I can hunt them down low in the mornings or evenings. If I backpacked in a couple miles, I would miss out on these opportunities. I’m in good shape so I don’t mind hiking an hour or two in the morning and late afternoon if the trade off is a comfortable bed with heat and a hot shower. It’s going to depend on where you’re hunting though. Hunting from the camper might not be the best tactic in other areas so you just have to figure out what approach is best for you and your area. A guide isn’t necessary to tag an elk if you’re new but it will greatly shorten the learning curve

 

[Ross]

He says good luck figuring our rut out but find the hot cows and there will be that rutty feeling Also, find the right elk call and watch them come running

 

[NickyD]

I’m new to this but it seems like either decision you make is a gamble.

A. Bring spike camp and a few days of food and get in there and don’t find any elk then you carried all that stuff for nothing.

B. Don’t bring spike camp and a few days of food and you get in there’s ways and there are a bunch of elk, now you have to hike out an hike back in with spike camp and a few days of food anyway.

Seems like A gives you more flexibility in that you’re able to immediately make the next move based on only what is the best move for trying to kill an elk and not having to worry about anything else that could waste time. And even if you only have to hike a mile or two back to the truck, that still seems pretty inefficient from a time and rest perspective. Just become a beast so you don’t notice the heavy pack haha.

Hiking in with camp on your back for a day or two isn’t a big deal, but at day 5+ you’ll be hurting unless you’re in great shape. Majority of my elk hunting is from a spike camp but I’ve learned my areas. If I’m going in blind I rarely bring camp.

 

[D_wit22]

Add on question to the post…. Average days spent in the field until you harvest?

 

[Ross]

Rifle many on the first day, other seasons selective, give an avg of 7 days.

Archery will give an avg of 9 days.

 

[trophyhill]

Add on question to the post…. Average days spent in the field until you harvest?

The longer the better for me. Get the full experience thataway

 

[Hnthrdr]

If I’m being picky 10+ days, if I’m killing the first legal bull 3 days

 

[SleepyJones]

Start of the archery season is hunting camp in hunting area 1 where I use my holiday trailer.
After hunting camp I'll either leave from my front door as hunting area 1 is just under 1.5 hrs away: has elk n everything.
Or I'll stay at the cabin in hunting area 2 and either hunt the property if there's elk sign or camera action, or I'll drive from the cabin which wouldn't be more then a 30 minute drive depending on destination.

 

[bz_711]

I love backpacking.
I love elk hunting.
I don't like backpacking for elk.

I set off one year to backpack hunt for elk (after I'd already had success close to road-guess I just wanted to try it), and after 2 days/1 night I decided it was not for me...it was just holding me back, both the weight and just mental capacity going toward planning route, where to camp, water/food, etc. Hiked out that 2nd night and just pitched my tarp next to my rig each night wherever I ended up...which I really enjoyed. It kind of put me on to what I've done the last couple years...no camp at all, just sleep in back of my yukon xl and stay mobile.

Bottom line is all of it is fun, but for me tagging elk is the most fun...find what works for you.
Good Luck!

 

[PA Bob]

Killed 2 bulls on the last day of my hunts. Last year toward the end of my hunt was sitting there ready to quit that area for good when a 6x comes walking past at 18 yds.. It only takes a minute for it to happen!