What did you learn this elk season?

[bignocks]

I like hearing what people learned or tried and did or didn't work like expected. Did you have some game-changing gear or something you thought you would use and didn't? Did you try a new tactic that worked?

I learned that the elk don't always know its the rut. lol. I also learned that a big tent that sits in a bag for too long in your garage may leak like the Exxon Valdez. I actually had to set up a small tent inside my big tent in the middle of the night because it was leaking so bad. Thank god I had my backpacking tent handy.

 

[elkhunteralta]

that being able to drive a pick up right to your dead elk is hell of nice thing, even better when that truck has a winch in the bed to pull that elk right up into the box.

 

[Wapiti1]

I learned that logging was still ongoing in one of my favorite areas. That made me hunt some country that I hadn't been in since I was a teenager. It was fun to go back. And the elk were right where I had left them 25 years ago.

Jeremy

 

[accountantsanonymous]

Work harder. I found myself struggling to stick with it on some longer days. Would probably help if I had any idea what I was doing. Working on building the mental game this year.

 

[cnelk]

I called in the same 6x6 to my son - twice - exactly a week to the day/time apart, in the exact same spot.
The first time the bull came in downwind, winded us and the second time, my son adjusted his position while the bull was coming, and the bull disregarded the wind totally.
If my son wouldve stayed in the first position, he wouldve had a 15yd shot.

Lesson 1 = You just never know


Lesson 2 = Trekking poles are a must

 

[Kenai_dtracker]

I learned that I love elk hunting!

 

[bluetick78]

I found out that it doesn't matter how many elk I kill, it'll never be as satisfying as watching my children kill elk.

 

[TX_Diver]

I learned (again) that it sucks when you don't draw a tag.

Drew some other fun tags that kept me from picking up an OTC tag. But elk are great and definitely fill the freezer better.

 

[svillalobos]

I learned to have more patience, not everyone is willing to take a 60 yard shot on a bull that people would die to just be able to see roaming around.

 

[robtattoo]

I learned, through somebody else's mistake, that hoofing off up a mountain that you haven't scoped out is a great way of blowing a herd you haven't seen, out of an area. It was super frustrating actually watching that happen & blowing a really great plan I'd spent 2 days coming up with......

Elk aren't always hundreds of yards away. Sometimes they really are within 100yds of the road.

I like the road elk the best

If you can drive & spot, you'll see a lot more ground than if you hike & spot. It doesn't always 'have' to be hard...

 

[longspeak74]

I learned you should ask a first-time hunt partner if they snore or not...

 

[Hessticles]

I learned that moose quarters are a hell of alot bigger!

 

[Nickofthewoods]

I learned that leaving a flagged route is a great tactic in giving away your hunting location. During archery season my buddy and I followed someone's flagging right into a great spot, immediately called in an Elk and shot it. Hey, I don't leave my flagging out in the woods after a hunt (if I even need to flag a route I remove it as I go on my last trip out) but if someone scouted for me why not take advantage? It paid off. But seriously, don't leave your flagging.

 

[gfreidy]

I learned that the moon will play a major impact on animal behavior and your hunt

 

[RCB]

Don’t take “maybe” shots. Take “definitely” shots.

 

[mncoolbeans]

Being a Midwest Whitetail Deer Hunter-I learned that I really like Elk Hunting this year being my first year Elk hunting.

Also, Elk Taste Way Better than Deer!

 

[Trr15]

Hunting solo and shooting an elk at 5pm almost 2 miles from the truck makes for a really, really long night.

 

[Conrad101st]

To hang your game bags that have the backstraps. Laid them on a log overnight. Only thing gone was the bag with backstraps. About the only bag light enough for Wiley coyote to drag. Was just sick about it.

 

[justinspicher]

I learned to not have such high expectations for new hunting partners. They will let you down and cause you not enjoy the hunt.

 

[rbljack]

I learned that I didn't draw a tag (again) for 2019. I also learned that I may have to start thinking about OTC tags as a back up plan for 2020. Although not elk related, I learned that I may need to get some insoles for my Lowa boots. I STILL have sore feet from my backpack style backcountry mule deer hunt in November. I learned what plantar faciitis is!