The ‘Doorway’

[cnelk]

If anyone has followed Chris Roe Hunting Resources, he has talked about the ‘Doorway’.

This is basically a tactic where the shooter sets up where the elk has to expose itself to the caller.

Last week while chasing bugles in Wyoming, I came across the perfect ‘Doorway’ and it proved to be successful once again. I’ve used the tactic many times in the past and thought I’d share a couple pics of the scenario.

I am pointing to where I was standing. I am standing where the elk approached and he followed the yellow line, coming from up the slope.

I knew the elk were up there, just a matter of bringing one down.

The other pic is where the elk entered the ‘Doorway’. You can see my buddy standing where the elk stood when I shot. 35yds.

I bugled, raked a tree and mewed a few times - then the elk came in silently.

Look for ‘Doorways’ when setting up to bring the elk in, looking for you. It works.

Also follow Chris Roe Hunting Resources for more tactics.

 

[cnelk]

 

[Catahoula]

Nice successful plan.

 

[jaypope]

Thanks for the tip. I love it when more experienced hunters are willing to help out the beginners.

 

[805Bowhunter]

Yah that is awesome. Honestly I know the ElkNut has a big following on here (rightfully so and yes I have the app) but I first heard Chris Roe talk about this a few years back on Jay Scott's podcast. When I heard it, it made complete sense to me as I was one of the people who would consistently have a bull hang up at a spot just out of range or where I was setup on the wrong area/no shooting lane. Once I learned to identify the "doorway" setups became much more effective...especially if you have someone calling for you. Awesome bull and great use of a great tactic. Well done

 

[Rmac2020]

View attachment 219534

Congratulations

 

[SBAHunts]

congratulations- thanks for sharing the tip

 

[buttekid]

Well done! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Wrench]

Doorways, hangup spots, end of the road.....100% agreed.

Last night I called a bull in hard from about 200 yards away and he landed 10feet behind me. I had 3 doorways and this sumbitch ran through the wall.

 

[Wrench]

I take my personal experience in my 30 years of elk hunting and compare Roe, turner, meddle, jacobson, snyder....and here to balance it into my reality.

Not one of them parallel my experiences 100% but there are some that are in the 80+% areas, roe being one of them.

As a side note, I just learned that Glenn Berry is my daughter's neighbor. I hope to get in a bs session with him too.

 

[87TT]

That's my problem. The elk here are illiterate and haven't read the books.

 

[Randle]

Yep I had a Doorway setup this when is was calling for 2 shooters. When he slipped past them and got to me .. he found a backdoor and got on the hill behind me and caught my updraft. Man they can move quietly when they want

 

[Next Ridge]

Congrats and thanks for sharing. The pictures are very helpful to understand your set up and description of how to make it work.

 

[IN_Varmntr]

That's my problem. The elk here are illiterate and haven't read the books.

Goes right along with "the elk are wherever the hell they want to be, not where you want them to be".

 

[ozyclint]

My luck I could guarantee that the bull would do a figure 8 around those two pines then circle downwind, then bust out of there taking the whole herd into the next drainage.

 

[elkliver]

yeah... when i plan my set up like that, they dont come in on the normal path but crash through a pile of brush or down a steep hillside and then taunt me. Elk are evil bastards

 

[GunsAreFun]

He was on The Hunt Backcountry (at least I think it was him) and gave a great explanation of this tactic.

 

[GunsAreFun]

The Hunt Backcountry Podcast

Sports Podcast · 632 Episodes · Updated Semiweekly

podcasts.apple.com

 

[trophyhill]

the door works great when the elk go along with the script. its worked for me on just about every elk I've killed. only i knew nothing about "the door". I've always called it my "set-up". others have talked about this for a long time now. making the elk look for you. the set-up can and will make or break the opportunity. when possible, i want that elk in my lap looking for me. whether you call it the door, set-up or whatever, when the elk does what you want him to do, it is a gamechanger, and tilts the odds in your favor.

of course every situation is different so again, being versatile and able to change tactics in the blink of an eye when the elk don't cooperate is so important.

 

[AaronMColeman]

yeah... when i plan my set up like that, they dont come in on the normal path but crash through a pile of brush or down a steep hillside and then taunt me. Elk are evil bastards

They really are! I had 4 today come in and ALMOST give me a shot. It’s like they all decided to work together to torment me.

So I’m going. Again tomorrrow to find one of them. I’m sure they’ll all be in the next state by tomorrow.