What time do you come off the mountain durning archery elk hunting?

[OkiechasingElk]

one thing I didn't see mentioned in this thread, if you are inexperienced in the woods at night, take safety glasses to wear out. sounds stupid but a number of folks have been seriously injured by branches they didn't see.

Never thought about it like that, but makes perfect sense. Lol

Spending on a reliable headlamp is another. There is a significant difference between a $10 headlamp and a $50 headlamp.

 

[LP5000]

I

one thing I didn't see mentioned in this thread, if you are inexperienced in the woods at night, take safety glasses to wear out. sounds stupid but a number of folks have been seriously injured by branches they didn't see.

I usually wear my regular glasses at night. Last time I forgot them, a branch swung back from the guy in front of me and slapped me right in the eye ball. Not fun.

 

[fracguy]

Man that's got a be the worst, I smacked myself with a pine branch last year deer hunting and I had to stop for a good hour because I couldn't see anything and eye was watering so bad.

I

I usually wear my regular glasses at night. Last time I forgot them, a branch swung back from the guy in front of me and slapped me right in the eye ball. Not fun

 

[ColoradoCarp]

I suppose it matters what you are trying to accomplish and what you find most enjoyable. This is a pastime, most of us are doing this because its fun. If you'd rather hang out at camp and enjoy yourself a little more than deal with the challenges of darkness, do it. But...having success is fun too...and the edge of dark is a good time to have success. Because of that, I've decided to adjust some things due to having a hard time overcoming being out at night alone. When I first started elk hunting a few years ago, my goal was to kill an elk solo, but I found that half my time I was some combo of lonely, bored, or scared...on the flip the other half was truly wonderful...so.......but anyways my first elk was a cow when it very well could have been a bull were I not scared of the dark...I moved in on a herd as they bedded around 10am and could have set up (rifle hunt) and waited for the bull to get up later in the day, I didn't have a shot at him otherwise, but instead I decided to pursue a cow because I didn't wanna be butchering an elk by myself at night. I got the cow. My first elk, so I was thrilled about it, hardly a consolation prize, my goal was any elk of any kind, but I gave up on a chance at a bull. I didn't get another chance at a decent bull for a couple of seasons. The next time I did, it was 2 degrees the morning I started hiking, it was snowy, I was in a terrible mood because the season had been very tough thus far and I was just worn down and irritated, I was lonely, tired of spending hours hiking by myself and glassing by myself, I got about 30 minutes up the hill and came very close to turning around, it was last day of the season, I probably stood still for 10-15 minutes arguing with myself about bailing, I actually at one point started walking back down, I just wasn't having any fun that season hardly at all. I pushed through and killed my first bull later that day, but after that told myself I'm going to start doing this differently, in a way that maximizes having a good time even if that means trading off proving certain things to myself or accomplishing this or that. I'm proud of that bull, but at the same time it wasn't as satisfying as I had imagined it would be because frankly it just wasn't much fun, I was in a crummy mood that whole hunt, I was forcing myself to be out there. There have been multiple other hunts I've sensed my fear of being out alone at night affecting how well I hunt in the evenings. So I've decided to hunt with other people, and give up on my goal of killing a truly large bull solo, because I personally just have more fun (less concerns, less fear) when another person with me. And I imagine I'll have more opportunity now too due to hunting the evenings with more intention vs "hunting" my way back to camp. Actually, last year in archery season I was "hunting" my way back, but really I was hiking out for reasons listed above, and ran directly into a bull at like 20 yards. Had I actually been hunting and not mostly trying to get out of there, might have killed that bull.

 

[fracguy]

I suppose it matters what you are trying to accomplish and what you find most enjoyable. This is a pastime, most of us are doing this because its fun. If you'd rather hang out at camp and enjoy yourself a little more than deal with the challenges of darkness, do it. But...having success is fun too...and the edge of dark is a good time to have success. Because of that, I've decided to adjust some things due to having a hard time overcoming being out at night alone. When I first started elk hunting a few years ago, my goal was to kill an elk solo, but I found that half my time I was some combo of lonely, bored, or scared...on the flip the other half was truly wonderful...so.......but anyways my first elk was a cow when it very well could have been a bull were I not scared of the dark...I moved in on a herd as they bedded around 10am and could have set up (rifle hunt) and waited for the bull to get up later in the day, I didn't have a shot at him otherwise, but instead I decided to pursue a cow because I didn't wanna be butchering an elk by myself at night. I got the cow. My first elk, so I was thrilled about it, hardly a consolation prize, my goal was any elk of any kind, but I gave up on a chance at a bull. I didn't get another chance at a decent bull for a couple of seasons. The next time I did, it was 2 degrees the morning I started hiking, it was snowy, I was in a terrible mood because the season had been very tough thus far and I was just worn down and irritated, I was lonely, tired of spending hours hiking by myself and glassing by myself, I got about 30 minutes up the hill and came very close to turning around, it was last day of the season, I probably stood still for 10-15 minutes arguing with myself about bailing, I actually at one point started walking back down, I just wasn't having any fun that season hardly at all. I pushed through and killed my first bull later that day, but after that told myself I'm going to start doing this differently, in a way that maximizes having a good time even if that means trading off proving certain things to myself or accomplishing this or that. I'm proud of that bull, but at the same time it wasn't as satisfying as I had imagined it would be because frankly it just wasn't much fun, I was in a crummy mood that whole hunt, I was forcing myself to be out there. There have been multiple other hunts I've sensed my fear of being out alone at night affecting how well I hunt in the evenings. So I've decided to hunt with other people, and give up on my goal of killing a truly large bull solo, because I personally just have more fun (less concerns, less fear) when another person with me. And I imagine I'll have more opportunity now too due to hunting the evenings with more intention vs "hunting" my way back to camp. Actually, last year in archery season I was "hunting" my way back, but really I was hiking out for reasons listed above, and ran directly into a bull at like 20 yards. Had I actually been hunting and not mostly trying to get out of there, might have killed that bull.

I used to be the same way, hated the dark, hated being alone in the dark. I would head out wayyyy early and sit in my truck and nobody ever knew I was scared of being alone in the woods at night. I started going out at night making short skips through trees, going night fishing and walking out by myself and fishing without a light. Doing anything to get me away from people and lights. Eventually I could hike through trees and everything alone. I have learned that there is absolutely nothing in the woods at night that isn't there in the day time. I have still had the wtf was that noise and hair stands up feeling but generally it goes away. If I get that feeling and hear strange sounds, I usually light a cigarette and walk directly towards the sound. I tell myself everything is scared of people and having a lot cigarette, animals can smell it. Then once it's light I head back to where I was and find out what the sound was if I can. I had a beaver scare the absolute crap out of me bear hunting one year, was headed in in the dark, no moon no nothing and I dropped my flashlight out of my pocket. Heard a noise that was about 30 yards away, I froze lit my cigarette and kept going, sound happened again and was like this thing is coming at me so I totally froze threw my gun up like I could see anything at all lol and took a step. Next thing I know this thing runs past me on my right about 3 steps away, I caught just a glimpse of what it was and started laughing at myself because I was actually terrified of a beaver. Went back later and verified the tracks. I do most of my hiking solo, hate the thick brush, always afraid of bears and cats in the thick stuff so I tend to avoid the super thick stuff mostly. I enjoy being solo, I get frustrated because everyone I have taken with for the most part gets halfway up a mountain and starts crying about how straight up and down it is and how far are we going and just irritating to me, so I do most everything solo. This will be my first solo hunt this year so will see how well I do being truly alone for days at a time.

 

[hibernation]

I'm probably one of the few that doesn't like evening hunts being out on the mountain, I feel I'm wasting my time when I could cover more ground in a truck and glassing then hoping the elk are coming out where I'm at for the evening. Plus your racing the end of shooting light, I'd rather glass up some elk and make a play on them the next morning when I have all day to get on them then the last 15 minutes of shooting light. I've taken only a couple elk in the evening over 35 years of elk hunting and those have been hunting my way back to my truck or driving down a forest road heading in.

I'm in the same boat. If I hunt till last light, I never seem to have enough time to make a legitimate attempt on the elk when they actually show up. And if you get a shot and they disappear into the timber, I really hate waiting and blood trailing in the dark. I'd rather focus on the early mornings, use the evening to glass something for the next day.

 

[WCB]

A LOT of opportunities are missed because guys are scared of the dark or just want to be back at camp playing grab ass with their buddies.

Not saying you have to be on a stalk or go after an animal right at dark but it is a good time to see that bull step out of a block of timber or move across a face and be there in the morning to intercept them. Same reason I've been up at midnight listening for bugles when daytime is quiet. Or out an hour before most guys. You can locate animals and possible direction of travel before the go quiet at first light when every tom , dick, and harry start squealing on their tubes.

 

[fracguy]

I suppose it matters what you are trying to accomplish and what you find most enjoyable. This is a pastime, most of us are doing this because its fun. If you'd rather hang out at camp and enjoy yourself a little more than deal with the challenges of darkness, do it. But...having success is fun too...and the edge of dark is a good time to have success. Because of that, I've decided to adjust some things due to having a hard time overcoming being out at night alone. When I first started elk hunting a few years ago, my goal was to kill an elk solo, but I found that half my time I was some combo of lonely, bored, or scared...on the flip the other half was truly wonderful...so.......but anyways my first elk was a cow when it very well could have been a bull were I not scared of the dark...I moved in on a herd as they bedded around 10am and could have set up (rifle hunt) and waited for the bull to get up later in the day, I didn't have a shot at him otherwise, but instead I decided to pursue a cow because I didn't wanna be butchering an elk by myself at night. I got the cow. My first elk, so I was thrilled about it, hardly a consolation prize, my goal was any elk of any kind, but I gave up on a chance at a bull. I didn't get another chance at a decent bull for a couple of seasons. The next time I did, it was 2 degrees the morning I started hiking, it was snowy, I was in a terrible mood because the season had been very tough thus far and I was just worn down and irritated, I was lonely, tired of spending hours hiking by myself and glassing by myself, I got about 30 minutes up the hill and came very close to turning around, it was last day of the season, I probably stood still for 10-15 minutes arguing with myself about bailing, I actually at one point started walking back down, I just wasn't having any fun that season hardly at all. I pushed through and killed my first bull later that day, but after that told myself I'm going to start doing this differently, in a way that maximizes having a good time even if that means trading off proving certain things to myself or accomplishing this or that. I'm proud of that bull, but at the same time it wasn't as satisfying as I had imagined it would be because frankly it just wasn't much fun, I was in a crummy mood that whole hunt, I was forcing myself to be out there. There have been multiple other hunts I've sensed my fear of being out alone at night affecting how well I hunt in the evenings. So I've decided to hunt with other people, and give up on my goal of killing a truly large bull solo, because I personally just have more fun (less concerns, less fear) when another person with me. And I imagine I'll have more opportunity now too due to hunting the evenings with more intention vs "hunting" my way back to camp. Actually, last year in archery season I was "hunting" my way back, but really I was hiking out for reasons listed above, and ran directly into a bull at like 20 yards. Had I actually been hunting and not mostly trying to get out of there, might have killed that bull.

I used to be the same way, hated the dark, hated being alone in the dark. I would head out wayyyy early and sit in my truck and nobody ever knew I was scared of being alone in the woods at night. I started going out at night making short skips through trees, going night fishing and walking out by myself and fishing without a light. Doing anything to get me away from people and lights. Eventually I could hike through trees and everything alone. I have learned that there is absolutely nothing in the woods at night that isn't there in the day time. I have still had the wtf was that noise and hair stands up feeling but generally it goes away. If I get that feeling and hear strange sounds, I usually light a cigarette and walk directly towards the sound. I tell myself everything is scared of people and having a lot cigarette, animals can smell it. Then once it's light I head back to where I was and find out what the sound was if I can. I had a beaver scare the absolute crap out of me bear hunting one year, was headed in in the dark, no moon no nothing and I dropped my flashlight out of my pocket. Heard a noise that was about 30 yards away, I froze lit my cigarette and kept going, sound happened again and was like this thing is coming at me so I totally froze threw my gun up like I could see anything at all lol and took a step. Next thing I know this thing runs past me on my right about 3 steps away, I caught just a glimpse of what it was and started laughing at myself because I was actually terrified of a beaver. Went back later and verified the tracks. I do most of my hiking solo, hate the thick brush, always afraid of bears and cats in the thick stuff so I tend to avoid the super thick stuff mostly. I enjoy being solo, I get frustrated because everyone I have taken with for the most part gets halfway up a mountain and starts crying about how straight up and down it is and how far are we going and just irritating to me, so I do most everything solo. This will be my first solo hunt this year so will see how well I do being truly alone for days at a time. M

 

[hibernation]

A LOT of opportunities are missed because guys are scared of the dark or just want to be back at camp playing grab ass with their buddies.

Not saying you have to be on a stalk or go after an animal right at dark but it is a good time to see that bull step out of a block of timber or move across a face and be there in the morning to intercept them. Same reason I've been up at midnight listening for bugles when daytime is quiet. Or out an hour before most guys. You can locate animals and possible direction of travel before the go quiet at first light when every tom , dick, and harry start squealing on their tubes.

Honest question, how are you managing sleep? When I would stay out and hunt until last light, plus an hour or two hike out from there, I'd be getting to sleep around 11-12. Getting up again at 3 or 4am the following day just isn't doable for me, maybe for a couple days but not for a two week hunt.

 

[NXTZ]

I’ve come off the mountain early, “hunted back to camp”, and every time I’ve been pissed at myself for throwing away possible opportunities because I listened to my bitch voice. We wait all year for a few weeks or a month to do this, I’m done with shorting myself because I don’t wanna walk in the dark. Nothing out in the woods then that isn’t there during the day. The discomfort of fear is nothing compared to the disappointment of not giving it your all.

 

[insanelupus]

Honest question, how are you managing sleep? When I would stay out and hunt until last light, plus an hour or two hike out from there, I'd be getting to sleep around 11-12. Getting up again at 3 or 4am the following day just isn't doable for me, maybe for a couple days but not for a two week hunt.

I always laugh when i think of the first time I hunted with a buddy of mine. We'd scouted the evening I got to camp. It's 10PM I ask what time he wants to get around in the morning. I'd suggested 4AM. He looked at me like I was crazy and told me, "Nope, I get 8 hours of sleep every night. "

My reply was, "Man, this is elk season. Ain't nobody gets 8 hours of sleep during elk season!'

He insisted they would. They also wanted to take lunch at camp every day.

I hunt M-F and spend weekends at home with the family during season. But I'm very fortunate to do that. If I'm traveling, i usually try to take SUN morning off, find a local church to go to and have a nice lunch, get laundry and a shower in.

But even with that, I take a lot of midday naps. Somedays on the mountain when it strikes me. I rarely hunt all day in one place. I check pockets for elk, if they aren't there, I peace out to another spot, grabbing a bite to eat, quick nap and go again. If I can, I'll park in the shade above a likely drainage to listen while I do.

But if the elk are there, I'll nap on the mountain in a good spot. Sometimes where I can hear a drainage well, maybe not far from where they might be bedded waiting for the bull to pipe off, maybe a waterhole,

A nap in the cool breeze in the shade, waiting for the bugling is quite delightful and one of life's simple joys.

 

[hibernation]

They also wanted to take lunch at camp every day.

Yeah, that one's a nonstarter for me. Sometimes it works out that I worked an area all morning and want to drive somewhere else anyway, might as well eat lunch at the truck or camp if you're nearby, but that's rare. I always plan on being out pretty much all day from around 3-4am on. Midday catnaps waiting for a bugle are pretty key.

 

[mad_angler]

Honest question, how are you managing sleep? When I would stay out and hunt until last light, plus an hour or two hike out from there, I'd be getting to sleep around 11-12. Getting up again at 3 or 4am the following day just isn't doable for me, maybe for a couple days but not for a two week hunt.

Geezer naps...

M

Thread 'Geezer naps'

Apr 23, 2025

I'm old enough to not be offended by this term...

I have heard it repeated many times that you must be hunting at first light and last light. If you are in camp, your odds for that day are greatly reduced.

Folks have said the midday naps are a key tool to allow you to do this for consecutive days on a wilderness hunt.

My questions are about the details.... do you just curl up under a tree or in the sun depending on the outside temperature? Do you go back to camp? Do you bring a hammock? Do you...???

• mad_angler
• Replies: 50
• Forum: Elk

 

[CrazySRanch]

I hunt as a nr also anywhere in the west. Situational but typically good hunting weather I'm hunting until dark. Even areas i have never stepped foot in. To me the time it takes to get to glassing area from hunting area now your waisting more time not hunting. But you have to do what makes you comfortable dont want to be lost on the mountain either. I almost always eat while hunting unless It works out im near camp typically not though. Im there to hunt so we hunt hard.

 

[Dave_]

I always laugh when i think of the first time I hunted with a buddy of mine. We'd scouted the evening I got to camp. It's 10PM I ask what time he wants to get around in the morning. I'd suggested 4AM. He looked at me like I was crazy and told me, "Nope, I get 8 hours of sleep every night. "

My reply was, "Man, this is elk season. Ain't nobody gets 8 hours of sleep during elk season!'

He insisted they would. They also wanted to take lunch at camp every day.

I hunt M-F and spend weekends at home with the family during season. But I'm very fortunate to do that. If I'm traveling, i usually try to take SUN morning off, find a local church to go to and have a nice lunch, get laundry and a shower in.

But even with that, I take a lot of midday naps. Somedays on the mountain when it strikes me. I rarely hunt all day in one place. I check pockets for elk, if they aren't there, I peace out to another spot, grabbing a bite to eat, quick nap and go again. If I can, I'll park in the shade above a likely drainage to listen while I do.

But if the elk are there, I'll nap on the mountain in a good spot. Sometimes where I can hear a drainage well, maybe not far from where they might be bedded waiting for the bull to pipe off, maybe a waterhole,

A nap in the cool breeze in the shade, waiting for the bugling is quite delightful and one of life's simple joys.

This is exactly why I make it clear to my hunting buddies that I almost always hunt solo and have my own truck. Waiting for people ruins the experience for me. And I'm not a morning person, but I don't want other people second guessing where or how I want to hunt.

I love having buddies at camp but in the field they really cramp my style.

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[Bobcat]

I’m getting too old to come off the mountain In The dark so I carry camp on my back and sleep on The mountain.

 

[fracguy]

Thi

This is exactly why I make it clear to my hunting buddies that I almost always hunt solo and have my own truck. Waiting for people ruins the experience for me. And I'm not a morning person, but I don't want other people second guessing where or how I want to hunt.

I love having buddies at camp but in the field they really cramp my style.

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This is exactly why I do most everything solo, I get frustrated and irritated when i get "how far are we going, when are we heading back, are you lost" you do you boo and I'm gonna hunt. Buddy of mine had told another friend of ours not to ever go hiking with me because I cover miles. Well he wanted to go and made it up about a quarter of the way up the mountain and started in with the whining. That's too far, when are we going back, this mountain is steep and blah blah blah. Since then I've gone out with one other buddy that hunts and hikes the same as I do.

 

[hibernation]

All this really reinforces how valuable a good hunting partner is. Takes time to dial in both your expectations, attitudes, strengths, weaknesses, and hunt well together without that constant "how far, where are we going next, what do you want to do" chatter. That gets old fast. So does acting as the guide where they're 100% reliant on you, they're just along for the ride.

 

[fracguy]

All this really reinforces how valuable a good hunting partner is. Takes time to dial in both your expectations, attitudes, strengths, weaknesses, and hunt well together without that constant "how far, where are we going next, what do you want to do" chatter. That gets old fast. So does acting as the guide where they're 100% reliant on you, they're just along for the ride

Yes it really does. My dad hunted with the same guy for 30 something years. They took numerous others with them and nobody ever went back with them. Although even going with the same guy all those years dad always took his own tent and everything just in case.

 

[Marble]

When I'm elk or deer hunting, it is super rare for me to return to camp at all during the day. I generally am up at 3 if I'm riding my horse, and not back until 2-3 hours after dark. I nap during the day, bring caffeine in my pack and know I have an e tire to think about my regrets if I'm not successful..

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