Research/educational Material

[Steeltalon]

As an amateur CO elk hunter, I never had friends or family "teach me the ropes" of big game hunting. Through online forums, youtube, and short conversations I've been able to fumble my way through 5 seasons of OTC Elk hunting. The unit I've been hunting has been pretty sparce, but I've been able to at least get my eyes on a shooter bull the past two years. That being said- I've never been able to close the gap between glassing one & getting close enough for an ethical shot. I'm now burning some points to get a "good" unit with better quality of animal & bringing home something worth saving up for.

My question is- are there any books or other resources out there that have helped you to be a better outdoorsman? I know a lot of you have been out there and noticed some other hunter just fumbling around ruining their hunt and even possibly yours. What would you suggest as a "bible" that all hunters should learn from?

 

[bz_711]

Not sure if you're archery or rifle...but this thread has a lot of good info (but is primarily archery focused)

Thread 'Let's help some guys/gals get their first archery elk!'

May 14, 2024

I'm addicted to archery elk hunting.
I want more hunters to know the same...which equals more support for hunting and elk habitat. Yes I know tags are already hard to get...but that's a better problem than no elk hunters to fight on my side!

Who has already hunted 2+ seasons and still looking to bag their first archery elk (my only experience is archery so that's what I'm sticking to)...and is planning to hunt elk again this fall?
Do you think you're getting close or still a ways off?
What are your biggest questions or shortfalls as far as you're concerned?

I didn't punch my first tag...

• bz_711
• Replies: 191
• Forum: Elk

• 
• 

 

[Steeltalon]

My bad, I am a Rifle hunter (usually late Oct-early Nov), but I'll take any info given. They're still the same animal.

 

[jgilber5]

I don't know about a book, alot of what I've learned has been through here, through conversations, and through days in the field screwing up to learn lessons. With 5 OTC seasons, I bet you've learned alot already.

I would start writing your own "elk book". One of the harder things to remember before you've had a few animals down is what worked, what didn't, because you haven't had it all come together yet. I'd start writing down everything you've learned from the smaller moments in the field. How'd you find those shooter bulls, have you seen others doing something dumb, or noticed them finding elk faster than you? What have you learned from conversations, forums, youtube, etc... that you know to be true that you need reminders of in the field? OTC rifle is hard. I bet you're almost there

 

[ElkNut1]

Rifle hunts/Archery Elk hunts are two different worlds!

ElkNut