I've been trying to get ready for my Sept. elk trip, by running on the treadmill.....and that's about it,.............so far.
My goal was (and still is) to be proficient enough to take a (______yd) shot at a perfectly calm elk, by the time I get to CO.
Yesterday, I shot a 3D shoot in really hilly terrain that had us climbing, often (often in snow over 8" deep). What I found was....my accuracy isn't what it needs to be:
1. When I'm winded
2. When the ground isn't level
I learned 2 valuable lessons, yesterday.
1. I need to up my workout regimen as time draws nearer (a lot).
2. I need to practice, more, on terrain that's more indicative of what I'll see, there.
So...if you're headed west.....mix it up. Shoot when you're winded. Shoot in different positions. Make your practice more "realistic".
To many of you, this is old hat. If you're headed out west for your 1st go 'round.....this is my .02 worth.
Good luck to all!
QuoteOriginally posted by GMMAT:
Make your practice more "realistic".
Good luck to all!
The best advice you could give anyone for any hunting situation. Good post.
A most excellent post in many ways!
Flatfooted shooting when you are calm is a far cry from the type of shooting conditions that are sure to exist when chasing elk.
Great advice for sure!
If I could add something, it would be to be comfortable shooting from your knees as well.
I like to stick the camera by the 3d to do the following:
1. get one heck of a awesome camera angle
2. imulate the closest thing to buck fever as I can get, cause I definatly dont want to slam my camera with a arrow!
Good advise. I will be doing a lot of stump shooting when the snow leaves. Good luck.
>>>>> RAY
I like to ride a bicycle to work the legs also and practice climbing steep hills with back packs full of weight. But the mountains still kick my butt. never really thought of practicing while being winded but that is a good idea.
Great advice.
I love to stump shoot for practice.
In fact yesterday I was out climbing around and shooting stumps and pine cones.
Distances vary, shooting uphill, downhill, under trees, etc.
Plus you are getting the exercise of up and down climbing.
Take this into consideration, there are not many flat shots taken in the mtn's at ELK! No matter how good of shape you are in June, you need to be in better shape in July. No matter how good of shape you are in August, you need to be in better shape in September. The better shape you are in the more ground you can cover! In other words, get high early and get ready to work!! Most fun I have ever had and totally had my buttock kicked in the process!
It is simply amazing to be in a drainage with elk sign everywhere and no elk in sight for 2 miles. Two miles in the mtn's at altitude with a 12/20lb pack is nothing like a 5 miles flat hike with the same pack! Go Elknut.com and buy some of his CD's and practice. He has some of the best info and calling techinques I have ever read or heard! Oh yea, since you will be practicing your calling, make sure the wife or GF is out of the house or she will have grounds for divorcing you!!!! :)
You will also need to practice shooting at your intended target through holes in the brush.
A lot of shot oportunities at an elk will be with the elk behind cover.
If you learn to shoot through the holes you will up your odds.
John
It wouldn't hurt to get a life size target to shoot at. Doesn't have to be a full blown 3D, but a cardboard cutout would work. It will give you some perspective of the size of the animal. They are quite a bit bigger than a deer.
I practice shooting all kinds of angles. Laying down on my stomach, or my back, on either side and still hitting what I shoot at. Shooting from kneeling down or off balance with one foot off the ground. If you can shoot and hit from these angles and in uneven terrain, especially steep you should be ok. In other words, know your bow. Another thing I see is people from flatter areas come to hunt elk and wear smooth bottom boots or shoes for stalking. Some of the hills are so steep I have been in that I can reach out my hand and touch the hill when standing straight up. I always wear the most aggressive boot treads I can find. I don't like slipping and sliding. Also work out your thighs alot. Hiking in steep country, you will need all the muscle you can build especially when you start packing out heavy packs full of meat. Gary
run around house, stop and shoot, run around house, stop and shoot!
i will try this! although unless you are chasing, literally chasing elk, I have never been winded when getting up on them. usually sneaky and slow.
Pick a spot........don't take your eyes off of that spot!
Never ever fight the wind you will loose every time.
If you have to climb 1000 feet or sit on your ---- for 2 hours waiting for the thermals to change - DO IT.
Being the best shot in the world does you no good when your hear all the happy noises stop - this is normally followed by the thundering herd.
This is a great reminder for everyone.
Never trust the weather. It can kill you.
Never trust the mountain. It can kill you.
Always be prepared, and assume you will have to spend the night.
My first shot at an animal in the high country was a high miss. (this was a mule deer) hen shooting down a steep hill or up steep hill your arrow flight changes more then a guy would think. Since then i have allways made it a point to practice every shot angle and condtion.
I jog and or walk durring the week after work but getting out and hiking with a pack is what I feel gets me the most ready. And plus I get to do some good stumpin'
Lessons learned on first trip.
1. Be in shape to cover some ground. Stair climbing is good. Realistic climbing hills with pack/bow. Good shape still beat, the first two days.
2. Shooting with pack on/off.
3. Practice out to 35 yards. But realise alot again happen between release and target at that range.(Like one Elk step).
4. Elk are ghost like.
5. Wet/cold weather can turn fun into survival.
6. Raise target off ground when practicing.
7. Attend 3-d Shoots during summer.
Like LoneWolf73 said, "a stairclimber" is one of the best pieces of equipment. Jump rope, run, or any other type of exercise during your shooting sessions. Heart rate ^
A enjoy each moment there!!!! :thumbsup:
Stump shoot a lot in hilly terrain and job in between the shots you take to make sure your hear rate and breathing are up. Practice slowing your breaths under stress. Just seeing a big elk close enough to shoot is going to screw up your heart rate and breathing.
Remember, pick a spot a very small spot! Looking at the rack guarantees your arrow will sail right thru that same rack!
QuoteOriginally posted by LoneWolf73:
2. Shooting with pack on/off.
Great tip!!!
And practice with all your hunting gear / binos / etc. on as if you were hunting, helps work out the kinks and problem areas!
Agree with all the pre-hunt prep. For me, a blunt in my quiver while I'm on the actual hunt is my biggest confidence builder. I shoot it first thing in morning then every hour or so while hunting through the day. Helps with keep my range estimation sharp in "big" country with all my gear on.
I have hunted elk a handful of times and I am from Michigan flatlands. I can tell you with certainty that being in shape and getting some extra weight off can make it enjoyable vs just bearable. I can't stress this enough. My hunting buddy this past season swore that I had to climb every hill I saw just because it was there. He wasn't really ready for the climbing. The first time can be a lesson in mountain navigation, getting comfortable with something totally different than hunting wood lots, and maybe seeing an elk. The second trip is where most begin to excel. Many are scared of the dark, being alone, and being able to find their way out. Go with someone that can guide you with their experience and go for it!
I am a novice elk hunter (I have been one time and will be hunting again in Montana this Fall) but I learned a couple of valuable lessons on that first trip:
1. Be aggressive. I am primarily a whitetail hunter and it took me a few days to get comfortable with the fact that you can make some noise when trying to get in position. Elk make alot of noise. If you are not seeing elk, keep moving until you find them instead of waiting for them to come to you.
2. Set up in front of rather than behind the brush when calling (or when someone else is calling for you) - this mistake cost me a shot at a 350" bull 30 minutes into my hunt on the first day. The bull was broadside at 20 yards but I couldnt shoot because of the brush.
3. If an bull is bugling but won't come in to the calls, go to him -- it is pretty easy to find him if he is bugling often. Just be careful for the cows that are certain to be surrounding him -- they will bust you.
4. Get in shape
I will be watching this thread closely for other hints.
If you bugle or cow talk, be sure to be ready to wait, even if you hear nothing. They will come in with out making a sound, and be on top of you before you no it. Just my .02, I imagine you know this, good luck and happy hunting.-----Dan Berry
I see there are quite a few elk newer hunters as far as elk hunting goes on this thread! Here's some info I've shared in the past that may help some out here!
"Keep It Simple"
It isn't necessary to be the best caller out there or the most knowledgeable in the field about elk habits & mannerisms. But what you do work on have it down well.
I would seriously concern yourself with "setups" I call them "Cold or Blind Calling" setups, it's sorta like "trolling" for elk. These are very easy to master & more importantly highly effective yet very doable for newer or veteran elk hunters.
Setups as this can be accomplished by yourself or with multiple hunters by being 20-30 yards apart. Start with light cow calling as if you were a small herd feeding & milling around a designated spot where elk sign is found & hopefully they're still within earshot. By injecting a single cow whine in the mix, then using a pre-estrus or excited sound 3-4 on mid to low volume in a 15 second span you are now showing other elk that there is a cow in the mix possibly feeling urges of estrus or coming into heat. Add some light stomping & rustling branches & brush to make it real now & then throughout your stay. This can attract both cows & bulls a like as elk are herd animals & can become very curious as to who these others are in the area that they're not familiar with.
After 5-10 minutes of this off & on communication of this supposed group of cows, now inject a small bull or cow bugle. Yes, cows bugle in small groups as this, other elk know this!
Do your best to setup where the wind is in your favor as to where you feel elk should approach from. When possible I like setting up where I have obstructions or large openings behind me where the wind would give me up. Elk generally will avoid openings or these obstructions on their way over. Too, make sure your setup is one where elk must come within your effective range to see where the sounds are coming from, you need cover here! You need to stay put in one place for a good hour & allow things to develop, be on full alert as elk can show at anytime many times silently! You can do 3- 4 setups as this per day.
Setups as these are highly productive. They can be used all day or part of the morning & evening near feeding areas or transition areas between feeding/bedding.
If a good water source is known or active wallow this could be a great midday or evening place to set a treestand or ground blind. Between these 2 types of setups/hunts you can really up your odds for success with little experience.
If you feel the need to pick up your game another level then consider this option that would come into play 10-15 minutes after your blind calling setup. You would now add an "estrus buzz" into the mix only after you have concluded your calling in that 1st setup. This new sound now shows a cow has entered the picture that had heard your previous calling & is now looking for this small herd. This is "making it real" It can really pick at the curiosity of any elk within earshot to come and assist this cow since this is what she is asking for! She wants to find these elk! Other elk will generally come and assist her or try & call her to where the real herd is! Guys we have called many many bulls & cows in with this sound done in this fashion. It's unique & most elk hunters have never used it or ever heard it but the elk know exactly what it means! (grin) Stay at your setup a good 30min after using this sequence, be patient & 100% alert! This is a great Public Land method & can be used in Aug.-Sept.-Oct.
Here's clip of this sound! Note the cows urgent tones & actions!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrW-OAn8VA4
Concentrate on achievable setups as this & you'll really enjoy your hunt. Don't concern yourself with knowing all the sounds elk make & trying to understand them all, that can come in time as you spend more time in the field & want to learn more!
ElkNut1