What have you learned this year so far?

[Vector32]

Been a pretty interesting year for me so far. Having shoulder surgery in May a was not able to hunt. Luckily I have friends with tags.

What I learned tho year so far.

1. Always fill up your water all the way. Even if you are on you way out.

2. Rain sucks.

3. And that I need to learn how to sit still and wait.

 

[dryflyguy]

1.I learned that a knife fight with two deranged coyotes at night in the middle of the desert is a little unnerving. I'll now be packing my 'bear' gun when I am hunting antelope.

2. I also learned that three coyotes would probably be enough to over power me on flat terrain with no way take cover of any kind.

3. I learned that it sucks getting stuck on a steep shale side-hill when Zeuss and the Thundering Bolts explode in concert overhead.

 

[HellsCanyon]

I learned that injuries suck...

Being solo in the back country has many advantages, some disadvantages but the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion.

I've observed more high country mulies this summer than before, and am always learning more about their habits.

I've learned that I have what it takes to get it done with archery equipment in the back country on deer (even with an un-notched tag).

And I've learned that you don't start making these lists until ATLEAST December!

Mike

 

[muleman]

1.I learned that a knife fight with two deranged coyotes at night in the middle of the desert is a little unnerving. I'll now be packing my 'bear' gun when I am hunting antelope.

2. I also learned that three coyotes would probably be enough to over power me on flat terrain with no way take cover of any kind.

3. I learned that it sucks getting stuck on a steep shale side-hill when Zeuss and the Thundering Bolts explode in concert overhead.

Gotta here more about these coyotes.

 

[muleman]

1. Goats are barrel shaped.

2. Goats roll really well. (See #1)

3. What looks like flat ground in goat country is actually steep and will induce a goat into a full roll. (See #2)

4. That it is nice to have a trusted brother / partner with your back.

 

[justinspicher]

I have learned:

I need to get further into the back country.
I need to go with my original gut feeling and not second guess myself when it comes to range estimation and shot placement.
Slowing down and glassing/calling is much more productive than trying to cover a ton of ground.

 

[Vector32]

This makes me feel better that there is others still learning also!! Lol

 

[littlebuf]

i learned that when Justin says "yeah, it will suck" then yup its really going to suck

 

[klxracer92]

Great topic! What I have learned: This will be my 4th year hunting.
1. Getting to a vantage point before first light is very beneficial. No matter how tired I think I am.
2. Patience while glassing.
3. My Dad and I took my sister out scouting with us for the first time and she would like to go hunting next year! Pretty Neat!
4. Lastly, just enjoy being out in the country and really appreciate life in general.

 

[Broken Arrow]

Doesn't do any good having gaiters if your socks are above them.
Dropping down into a hell hole means your dumb ass has to climb back out. Which is not fun in the rain.
A scary sharp knife doesn't hurt when it slices the top of your knuckle off it just bleeds like a sob!
Don't be afraid to bugle at a bull just because he took his cows and left 2 days before. I got between him and the rest of the herd unknowingly. a bugle might have brought him running?!?

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

1. Cover behind you. Not in front! (At least when dealing with elk)...
2. I need something better than my current frame pack if I'm gonna keep shooting elk in the archery season.
3. When hunting with a partner, quick and quiet communication is huge.

 

[HellsCanyon]

Oh yeah... I'm always reminded of this every year: just because sunrise is at 6, doesn't mean it's light at 6. Be in your glassing spot 30 minutes before sunrise!

Mike

 

[7mag.]

1. Always have more than one back up plan.
2. You can never take too many pictures.
3. My pack needs to go on yet another diet.

 

[Lukem]

Squirrels dropping cones from 80' sound like elk.
Elk sound like elk.
Be ready to shoot either of them.

 

[Nick Muche]

Shoot often.

 

[HellsCanyon]

Squirrels dropping cones from 80' sound like elk.
Elk sound like elk.
Be ready to shoot either of them.

Ha yeah that used to get me every time the first few years!

Mike

 

[Becca]

15 days without a shower really isn't that much worse than 8 days without a shower. My scalp will be itchy by the end either way.


15 hours is enough time to unpack from a 21 day trip and repack different gear for another three night trip...but your house will look like a disaster area.

BOMB bags, while awesome, will not accommodate a full size AK moose. One bag will hold a single backstrap...if you stuff it in really well. If you shoot a moose while sheep hunting, be prepared to pick leaves off your quarters.

A 12 man tipi and an SL5 are both fully capable of withstanding winds up to 50+mph all night long, but you won't get any sleep.

Bringing a Woodstove is a game changer.

No matter how tired I think I am, when Luke suggests a bonsai trip for the last two days of our sheep and caribou tags...I am in! It's not hard to pack when your gear is still all over the floor from the last trip. Guess we will get coffee on the way out of town

 

[O'Really]

That my name should start with the word "Sherpa".

 

[no limits]

don't have a user name like no limits when you found your limitations with co blow down
try to find an area to hunt where you can walk like a man instead of looking like a monkey going under and over all the blow down
get a tent with a stove in it so when you are wet and cold and beat down from all the rain and blow down (have I mentioned blow down yet) you can get dry and warm
if I keep hunting elk that I need a better paying job!

 

[Snipershirt]

Two biggest take-aways from this season, I'm sure these are well known but I'm always learning or maybe I'm just too much of a nice guy;

Pick your hunting partners wisely (while she can be a pain in the butt, my deployed wife is still my fav)
Leave all that extra crap at home (I keep over packing)