Trad Archery Elk strategies

[Stickbow]

Who's hunting elk with trad gear this year?

Planning a couple hunts in Utah and I'm not much of a caller (trying to get better). So I'm planning to lean mostly on early season water sitting and glassing. Anyone have good examples/videos of spot and stalk hunting elk with a bow?

Whats everyone else's strategies this year?

 

[sneaky]

Utah archery dates mean you don't need to be a world class caller anyways for the first half of the season. I would highly recommend getting better with your calling for the September portion of the season though. If diaphragm calls don't work for you, get an external reed call, they work well. Bugling works better with a diaphragm call, those external reed bugles sound like garbage. Expect lots of company during Utah archery, especially in the any bull units. Sitting water can be a long, hot endeavor. If you call solo, do NOT hang out where you called from. Call, then move forward. They know exactly where you are calling from and will pin you down in a second.

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[Stickbow]

Yeah I'm just trying to improve my bugle (Diaphragm and tube), but honestly the couple years I've been here I haven't heard a ton of bugling, even with bulls I've gotten in view. I think maybe I end up hunting higher pressure areas. Which is part of the reason I stick to more spot and stalk type strategies.

 

[sndmn11]

If you call solo, do NOT hang out where you called from. Call, then move forward. They know exactly where you are calling from and will pin you down in a second.
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100% and move fast. I have called in a handful of bulls for others using traditional equipment, all in very thick timber, and I have seen only one of those bulls before they were dead. If you can get 30-50 yards within a few seconds from where you called, you will stand a chance. With that in mind, plan when you call, where you are going, and don't set yourself up for failure by making that sprint through a thick patch.

 

[Stickbow]

I'm hoping raking can also work in that instance some too. I have definitely done the leap forward technique to try and get into stickbow range. Do you guys cow call to cover your sound as you're moving forward or stay silent?

 

[Beendare]

I had nothing but problems calling solo last year with a Stickbow....I never have a problem with a compound as of course I can shoot further...but it was the drawing on them when coming in that screwed me multiple times.

EDITED: I would draw right as they were coming into n opening....and they would stop...or stand in a bad spot for a shot....and I had to let down. OR I would wait until they were in the opening...praying for them to look away for a second....They caught my draw a couple times...once running off, once jumped the string and caught an arrow in the hipbone that bounced out.

I think a guy needs to call, then move quickly forward [I got busted once doing just that] or use a decoy to distract them from your draw [a proven winner with my compound time and again]

Its not an issue when you use a team concept with a caller back behind you.....as they think the elk they are looking for is still a ways out.

If I solo call I will have a decoy this year for sure.


The small wallow here is only 24 yds away....

I've hunted them from my tree saddle at remote water sources....but the Mountain wind currents were bad in most spots screwing those setups. Many of the best spots I found were not conducive to hunt from a ground blind where they will wind you. Even in a tree stand, cold thermals pool your scent.

If you can get a wind and thermal that pulls your scent up and out of there...you are golden....OR setup a ways away in a spot where you can quickly stalk in. They spend a fair amount of time at water...time enough to stalk in.

_____

 

[Grabwad]

I’m thinking of carrying a treestand in this year. It’ll be my 5th trip. Time to kill one!

 

[Stickbow]

Nice, best of luck Grabwad. Everyone practicing to prep for the season? What ranges do you practice for/ plan to shoot? Ive got a little range to shoot 16 or 25 yards, and I'd like to get dialed in to about 30 before season.

 

[Grabwad]

I’m shooting out to 30yds but also shoot as close as 5-8yds. As It get closer to Sept, I’ll really try to vary the distances. I can shoot 35 yds in my yard

 

[HunterHawk]

I am, I have a buddy going. He is calling and videoing. I have been shooting almost everyday since i switched over to the recurve. Farthest i have shot out to is 40, and i swear i shoot better at 40 than i do 20 but realistically I am not sure how far i would shoot at an elk yet.. i plan on continuing ro shoot either in my backyard or the 3d range until my hunt. I have also been going to the range with 30 lbs in my pack and its a hilly 1.7 miles long so I'm getting a little workout in as well.
As Beendare stated I have a feeling drawing and holding for the shot will be my hardest obstacle. I have drawn on 5 bulls with a pully bow and still yet to realse an arrow.

We will be taking a decoy as well.

 

[Kentucky]

Good stuff here. This will be my first elk hunt this year as well. Went scouting my unit this weekend, saw a cow, black bear, eastern rattlesnake, and a nice 10 point whitetail. Got within 30 yards of each..except rattlesnake, he was much, much closer.

 

[oldgoat]

Well, I'm not super successful, but I generally get a chance per season minimum when I draw a decent tag, but I just can't quite get it done, but in my opinion, decoys are a must, keeps them distracted while you draw your bow.

 

[Stickbow]

Hmm, wonder if @ElkNut1 has an opinion on drawing with trad gear...?
Plan would be something like slow play with some cow calls and raking, ramping it up until hes definitely coming in. Then set up a decoy where you were calling, and move forward 30 yards? Ive never used a decoy, its just something so they arent searching for the source of calls so hard?

 

[LanceM]

My dad and I switched over to trad gear this year. Drawing/holding is definitely a big concern for us. We have both killed bulls in CO draw units with compounds in the past. This year will be an OTC tag in a new area(s), so no idea what to expect. We don't have high hopes, but we'll have a great time if we can get mixed up with some elk now and then.

 

[oldgoat]

Hmm, wonder if @ElkNut1 has an opinion on drawing with trad gear...?
Plan would be something like slow play with some cow calls and raking, ramping it up until hes definitely coming in. Then set up a decoy where you were calling, and move forward 30 yards? Ive never used a decoy, its just something so they arent searching for the source of calls so hard?

Decoys definitely work, sometimes! I use the Montana, heads up and I have a 3d head decoy from Carlton's Calls but haven't used it yet. If you get Montana Decoys, get some of that 1/8" bungee and put alligator clips on the end, 2 to 3 per decoy and suspend between or from trees, metal stakes they come with are too heavy for the mountains

 

[Beendare]

I've killed a pile of elk with a decoy and my compound solo....since shooting the recurve, I had this minimalist thinking that didn't include a decoy- big mistake.

In the perfect scenario, where you can call and then change positions before the bull comes in ....a guy doesn't need a decoy. Those didn't work for me last year. O

Compound is so easy to get to full draw when they are coming and you are right on them when they show themselves- mostly anyway. I'm still adapting to Solo calling with a Stickbow.

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

I elk hunt every year with trad gear. Around here, you’re calling or sitting in an ambush spot. There’s no glassing, spot and stalk, etc. It’s super thick brush everywhere, so you’re right on top of the elk by the time you see one. Utah is loooottttts different , but with a tradbow, I would still stick with calling and sitting water or wallows.

 

[Stickbow]

Listened to a tradquest podcast Ep 5, he talks about actually getting an elk to whirl just before drawing. Especially with bulls since their neck is so big, and have a hard time looking over their backs. Interesting technique. He also talks about barking to get them to stop. You guys bark? I would be nervous to send them running with a bark, but people are saying they stop hard and fast.

Best Tradquest Podcasts | Most Downloaded Episodes

Rank #1: Episode 62 The Elknut on elk calling tactics, Rank #2: Episode 13 Elk Nut part 1 (Paul Medel), Rank #3: Episode 33 Aron Snyder and Ryan Avery

www.owltail.com

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

I’ve never barked at them before. I ghost them once they start getting close, and hope for the clear shot. I’d certainly try cow calling at them if I thought they were moving too quick away from me. I do keep a diaphragm call in my mouth for such a purpose.

 

[Stickbow]

Ghosting them was part of his plan as well, cow call or round-up bugle to get them coming in, then shut up and move to where he will stop to look for the source of the calls.