Solo Elk Hunting

[durandja11]

I do 90% of my hunting solo, I like it better, i'll go with friends after I kill one, but until then i'm solo.

the only thing that really stands out to me is staying within your means, be realistic on the spots you choose, because it can be warm in Sept, and solo packing a bull isn't easy, especially when you had just hunted hard for a week straight, so don't hunt places you can't get one out of in a timely fashion, and also do some research on meat care.

if you have your stuff together, you can take a couple days to pack an elk out if needed.

what I like is hunting at my pace, making the decisions I want to, and hunt however I want. half the noise, half the scent, half the movement…. that's a benefit. I tend to do a lot of stalking and ambushing, i'm not one to have to call in every bull I kill, I assess each situation, and find out the easiest way to kill the elk I find, and go from there.

calling solo can be very effective, but don't make it your only strategy, take advantage of being alone and sneaky. another nice thing about hunting solo is the patience you can have without worrying about your hunting partner. it seems most times i'm hunting with others, i'm not as patient....

don't look at it as a handicap, because to me it's the opposite. I hunt alone because it's more effective to me. some people want/need company, but i'm not one of them, I love solitude, and as well as being effective, it's really enjoying hanging out in the woods alone.

Great insight Rossiebull! I've actually heard your point of view from a couple different people who hunt solo. The freedom of choose can really be a huge asset in itself.

 

[durandja11]

So I don’t think this has been mentioned, but one thing I found to be priceless in keeping the mental game sharp is to pack a pocket notebook. Wrote down successes and failures in addition to going through the things I wanted to remember for next year. It gave me a way to pep talk myself.


The Garmin inreach was priceless as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We are speaking the same language! I actually added a notebook and pen to my pack list this year. Last time hunting I tried to jot down all my encounters after I got back home. I was able to recall majority of them, but the days blended together, the exact details and locations were blurred and feel like jotting them down daily will really help make a plan for the next day. Keep my on point and focused on what I am there for.

 

[5MilesBack]

One thing;

That its hard to call elk solo with a stick bow.

Then put that stick bow down and pick up a call.

I've had bulls just about run me over, while calling elk with my compound. I guess stick bows just don't cut it.

 

[Ross]

Keep it simple, stay positive, always be ready, have many options both tactics and country, don’t second guess yourself, clear around your feet, have a clear shooting lane or lanes, know your limits physically mentally weapon effectiveness, stay in the moment, be flexible, know something will go wrong if it can happen, try not to put too much pressure on the kill and have fun

 

[roosiebull]

Then put that stick bow down and pick up a call.

I've had bulls just about run me over, while calling elk with my compound. I guess stick bows just don't cut it.

try it out, you'll like it. you like calling them anyways, get your money out of that tag and pick up a struggle stick

you can call them in with a stick bow or compound, it's all the same, but getting them killed is a different thing.

seriously, think about it, you like calling bulls more than killing them by your own admission, stick bows are way nicer to pack, and they are a lot prettier to look at between bugles.... there is no down side here.

 

[5MilesBack]

seriously, think about it, you like calling bulls more than killing them by your own admission, stick bows are way nicer to pack, and they are a lot prettier to look at between bugles.... there is no down side here.

Ya, except I really like shooting long range stuff most the year, and am also a perfectionist. Not sure I could handle shooting 80 yards with a stick bow unless I was getting 5" groups with it. But some day it might happen, eventually I want to take a stick bow out. Maybe when I'm 80.

 

[roosiebull]

Ya, except I really like shooting long range stuff most the year, and am also a perfectionist. Not sure I could handle shooting 80 yards with a stick bow unless I was getting 5" groups with it. But some day it might happen, eventually I want to take a stick bow out. Maybe when I'm 80.

long range is completely relative to the weapon in hand...

 

[roosiebull]

We are speaking the same language! I actually added a notebook and pen to my pack list this year. Last time hunting I tried to jot down all my encounters after I got back home. I was able to recall majority of them, but the days blended together, the exact details and locations were blurred and feel like jotting them down daily will really help make a plan for the next day. Keep my on point and focused on what I am there for.

that's actually a pretty cool idea for just looking back on the season, just do a daily log every day regardless of how much happened. at the very least it would be fun to read through this time of year. that would be almost as cool as looking at a big set of antlers on the wall.

 

[trophyhill]

Wish someone woulda mentioned to me, take a GPS. Feeling lost sucks and limits your range if you've never hunted there before.

 

[cnelk]

Way back when I started bowhunting (before it was cool) the goal was to get close to animals.

I often wonder when that technique switched.

 

[5MilesBack]

long range is completely relative to the weapon in hand...

Ya, and with a bow it's 60+........ regardless what kind of bow it is.

 

[5MilesBack]

Way back when I started bowhunting (before it was cool) the goal was to get close to animals.

I often wonder when that technique switched.

Has it switched?????

My goal is always to get as close as possible to my quarry, unless it's a target.....and then I want to get as far away as I can and still have a somewhat open shot.

 

[roosiebull]

Way back when I started bowhunting (before it was cool) the goal was to get close to animals.

I often wonder when that technique switched.

it still is, it just seems that the majority of the ones who like shooting far are fairly vocal about it. you could start a poll on that subject and see most of us like getting close, that's why we choose a bow.

there is also a segment who like the layout of archery season and try to stretch the limits of the weapon.... to each their own, we all like hunting.

now, back to different points of view for the OP.... advice, mindsets, and points of view about solo hunting elk, he doesn't need his thread going off the rails into a shot distance debate.... there are plenty of those in the archives I would assume

 

[roosiebull]

Wish someone woulda mentioned to me, take a GPS. Feeling lost sucks and limits your range if you've never hunted there before.

that's a big one! a map of the area and the know how to read it is not a bad idea for redundancy. being comfortable is a big one (mentally) worrying about stuff will take the fun out of it, and confidence in your location and ability to keep that confidence is important so you can focus on hunting.

it's fun looking at the lay of the land at night plotting your next day as well as other options... studying the topography of the areas you have been hunting in.... once you can picture the areas on the maps, you can find clues in the topography to places you should check..... those potential honey holes.

productive way to kill time

 

[MtnOyster]

Oh yea.........HEY!!....take a GPS with you, and by the way learn how to use the thing before you head out....spare batteries are also a must.
If your any kind of outdoorsman getting lost won’t be a big deal to you....if your not..well....

 

[Beendare]

Then put that stick bow down and pick up a call.

I've had bulls just about run me over, while calling elk with my compound. I guess stick bows just don't cut it.

What^ a smart azz.

I called in 6 bulls last year....and I would be 6 for 6 if I had my compound and could have drawn early, hooked the string on my ear like yourself...taken a leak, maybe had a chew...then shot.

If I had another caller so I didn't get pinpointed it would have been a done deal too.

The problem when calling solo with a stick bow is drawing the dang thing....I still need to figure that one out. Draw too early and they hang up...and you are shaking like a leaf. Wait until they are on you then of course they spot you and its over before unleashing an arrow.

Plus, every year I tell myself to not be picky...and then every year I get a layup shot early that I pass on. 2019 I had a dink 2x3 walk past at 5 yds and never had a clue I was there. Problem is, there was a good bull in the trees at 60 yds screaming his head off at me and I thought I might get a shot. I didn't. That happened a couple times....but thats stick bow hunting.

......

 

[bignocks]

Without reading everyone else's reply Id first say how comfortable are you with being totally alone. Its easy to think that you want to go full backcountry and pack an elk out solo. That can crush many people and end up leaving early. Id say first stay by the truck and be moble until you get going and dont be afraid to drive to a hotel one night if its what it takes to keep you in the woods. A shower and a good bed can do wonders. My last trip was 14 days solo and almost no cell service and you can start to go crazy and get discouraged. Another huge issue is physical conditioning. Not only being in shape but your feet. Get lueko tape and tape everything you think might be an issue day one before you even start. Hopefully, you know your potential issues before you even leave home. ONe last tip..... Download some music and a game like wordscapes to you phone, helps in the downtime. lol. Good luck.

 

[trophyhill]

that's a big one! a map of the area and the know how to read it is not a bad idea for redundancy. being comfortable is a big one (mentally) worrying about stuff will take the fun out of it, and confidence in your location and ability to keep that confidence is important so you can focus on hunting.

it's fun looking at the lay of the land at night plotting your next day as well as other options... studying the topography of the areas you have been hunting in.... once you can picture the areas on the maps, you can find clues in the topography to places you should check..... those potential honey holes.

productive way to kill time

Yeah my second year of hunting elk, and first time hunting CO, there was a period of about 5 hours where I felt lost. It was a very stressful 5 hours. All it takes is a bugle to take you over the next ridge, the one beyond that and the one beyond that. Next thing you know everything looks the same. CO IS big country!

 

[trophyhill]

Without reading everyone else's reply Id first say how comfortable are you with being totally alone. Its easy to think that you want to go full backcountry and pack an elk out solo. That can crush many people and end up leaving early. Id say first stay by the truck and be moble until you get going and dont be afraid to drive to a hotel one night if its what it takes to keep you in the woods. A shower and a good bed can do wonders. My last trip was 14 days solo and almost no cell service and you can start to go crazy and get discouraged. Another huge issue is physical conditioning. Not only being in shape but your feet. Get lueko tape and tape everything you think might be an issue day one before you even start. Hopefully, you know your potential issues before you even leave home. ONe last tip..... Download some music and a game like wordscapes to you phone, helps in the downtime. lol. Good luck.

This is when you find out about yourself if you don't already know who you are. The first time I tried it in 2010 with a scant 2 years of bowhunting and elk hunting experience under my belt and decided I was ready for the Backcountry. I quickly realized I did not have the proper gear and a 3 day trip turned into truck camp the rest of the hunt.

So I spent the next 4 or 5 years investing in "good" gear. When I knew I had the correct gear, I did it again and again and again and again. I love Backcountry hunting solo. I also just love hunting solo. Even if from truck camp.

 

[5MilesBack]

If I had another caller so I didn't get pinpointed it would have been a done deal too.

That goes for any solo bowhunter in the rut. Ya, it's much easier when the elk have no idea you're even there while someone else is calling. But it's those close-in solo chess matches that make it the most fun for me. Going one on one with a big bull in close proximity........doesn't get any better than that.......until you also put an arrow through him.

Ya, solo has it's own challenges and it's a whole different strategy game and mindset than setting up with a caller way back behind you. I've never had a caller, but every time I've been the caller for another hunter.......it's been a really easy shot opportunity for them.

As for shot distance........I think a lot of people confuse target shooting with hunting shots when others mention shooting. For me, I may only take one shot at an elk during a season but I'll take 1000's of target shots the rest of the year. And of those shots I'd guess that 90% of them are between 40 and 100 because that's what I enjoy. That's why I try to go to the 3D range when no one else is there, so that I "can" take those shots.