Quote:
ORIGINAL: JPF
Hey Skeeter, where are you planning on elk hunting. This will be my first time elk hunting, i'll be heading up to the greenwater, chelan, mistatim area with a couple buddies. Like I said , I've never hunted elk, any tips, pointers??
Justin
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Justin, I hunt the Swan Plain/Norquay area for elk.
As far as tips, cow call, get into your position early, know the wind at all times and be ready. If the elk are responding to calling and your in the bush, work in tandems have the shooter setup min 100 yards in front of the caller and work them this way. I suggest getting a couple of cow calls and make cow/calf talk to represent a herd vs the same note all the time. If your crew is on its first elk trip, find some instructional CD's or videos so you can hear the sounds and get an idea what the different calls mean. Unlike whitetails where we are use to hearing grunts, alarm and maybe bleat/fawn bawls, elk are very vocal and hunters can hear many different sounds from them. Ie: barks, grunts, growl, bugles, mews and chuckles can all come from a bull. Cows basically bark and mew but the variations of the mews are fairly expansive. So getting an idea what those sounds are and what they mean will help in your hunt. Don't try to learn or use all the calls, stick to the easy and effective cow/calf as the baseline. If your wanting to bull call location bugle and spike squeals would be a good mix. If you find yourself getting the hang of calling the next call I'd suggest is the chuckle. When calling if you hit a sour note don't stop, follow through with the call. I have heard aweful actual elk and way to go humans...point is they don't all sound like a record. Don't over call, especially the bugle. I cow call every 15-20 minutes, where asI may only bugleonce during an hour. If they are talking I pick up my calls asI see fit.
I assume your hunting with the rifle, so make sure he has at least spikes before squeezing!!!![8D]
Carry a few sharp knives and enjoy the heck out of the experience. Some of my most memorable times aren't when I got to notch the tag but playing/chasing and being with elkwhere no shot firedor arrow was let go.
Buy a whitetail tag, just never know what you'll see during elk season. If at all an interest a black bear tag is a cheap investment and very real possibility when chasing elk.
PS Hair standing up on end is a natural occurance when you hear elk talking.
When are you going?
Hope it helps some and best of luck to your crew.
RE: 2006 Canadian Whitetails - Get' em!
Its bear hunting time folks and I am getting ready again.
