I'm stoked fellas.
 

I just found out that I drew my first elk tag ever!!!!!!!!

I know for some people that's not that big of a feat, but here in South Dakota, people wait for years to get a tag.

I've been hunting for 26 of my 31 years of my life and the biggest thing I've ever shot was a Mule Deer. This was my 4th year of attempting to draw an Elk tag.

I've got a lot of learning to do between now and October and I know the best advice is going to come from people with experience as opposed to those who are trying to sell something.

So if you've got some basic advice that might help shorten up my learning curve, I would appreciate it.

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Beyond the typical get in really good shape advice my best advice would be to buy ElkNut's videos. They are great! I bought a set and watch them quite a bit. I learn something that I missed with almost each viewing. They are the best "how-to" videos I've ever seen.

I'm sure some others will give you some great advice. there are Somevery knowledgeable folks on here. Just remember if someone posts total bs on here the others will call them out so take everything with a little salt.

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Be prepared ,, for suchsituation awarnesses as this.

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Don't really have to much advice to offer on Elk...but good luck and congrats!

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Well I am no expert, but I am no greenhorn either. I have a dozen elk kills under my belt and have helped many friends with theirs. I mostly bow hunt but I also rifle hunt too. For fun last year I posted a elk hunting tips thread on here, I wanted to get the best of the best tips from all involved in this site. Remember the definition of education is the exchange of ideas. With elk hunting this very much applies. Even with a lifetime of elk hunting experience no one person can know it all about elk. Many know a lot but each and every day in the woods can and will be a learning expreience for those who have a open mind. Anyway here is a link to the elk hunting tips. Its mostly archey hunting, but a smart hunter will apply these same tatics during a rifle hunt and will be even more successful. Here is the link and I hope it helps, waring its long. But a lot of good info by knowledgeable hunters. Jason
http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1016246&mpage=1

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

im way more luck than skill; but here's my .02 cents

be in the field/woods as much as ya can (not at camp or in yer truck)

if it's warm hunt the shade

if it's crowded hunt heavy cover that's broken with patchy clearings (not dark timber) but close by dark timber (in and out)

Elk can sneak just like Deer be wary

two outta thethree i shot took off like they weren't hit. hone in on the place they were when ya shot em, and follow the tracks from there.

i only got three in 10 years (mostly luck) on my part, but i hunted fer em fer sure.

early

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Before you head afield, I feel like I should warn you about the danger of elk hunting first. IT'S EXTREMELY ADDICTING!

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

I appreciate the suggestions, and the link, any tips on gear that's essential and commonly bought stuff that you don't need would be great as I'm sure I'll be visiting my local Cabela's many times before Oct.

Thanks again and keep the tips coming.

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

good boots; i use Danner's good socks too

i gotta packframe, rope, good bone saw, knives, knife sharpener
in case i get lucky

marker tape, GPS (optional)

compass

i don't need glasses where i hunt; but you might

zip- lock baggy fer the liver

flashlight

same stuff ya need fer deer

elk meat is realy good; i take rope and stuff with me.i fielddress it right away. then after retreaving my pack frame from camp the meat goes from skin directly to canvas meat bags fer transport (keep it clean and cool).
i also take a pencil and a little piece a bailing wire to tag the ear/carcass.

early

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

what area did you draw? i live a few minutes from custer, if you would like some help with you area let me know. i have lived around the black hills for years, worked in lead/deadwood area. i know the hills very well. bull tag? or cow? if you drew the right area, i would say you will be done by 12:00 the first day. good luck!

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

So true!

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

I'd be glad to give you some more advice, as I'm sure the others would as well, but it would be really helpful to know what type of hunting you plan on doing (bow or rifle) first.

Chances are, the hunting gear you already have for deer hunting will be fine. Make sure you have good boots, which is a good rule of thumb regardless of what you're chasing, and and just wear whatever clothing you wear Mule Deer hunting. As for actual gear, a packable bone saw is handy,a good, sharp knife, a pack frame is good to have if you cannot drag the elk out in halves, good binocs, a survival kit (matches, little first aid kit, ect), water bottle, camera, flashlight, and anything else you like to have with you when you go hunting. A little chunk of rope is always good to have to lash meat to your pack or make a drag to pull out halves. Pretty much everything early already listed.

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Manboy
I drew the unit that runs along the east edge of Custer State Park, I know a rancher there who owns a big chunk of land that borders the Park. You don't by chance know the Carrs in Newcastle do you? They are my Aunts family.

Everyone else,
Thanks for the advice so far, keep it coming, I'm still trying to read through the link, great advice so far.

How do I get a hold of the Elknut videos?

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Heres a link to elknut's videos: http://www.elknut.com/Our_Products_1.html

I bought the three video set. They are great videos if you want to learn how to call. I used his techniques to score these beauties:



He's a regular poster on this site and would expect him to post on your question.

Another tip is to hunt them from above. You will have better success than hunting up to them. Go slow and get close without getting too close. Make the first one count. Follow up shots are few and far between.

Know the area. I mean really know the area. Know escape routes, bedding areas, watering areas, feeding areas etc. Try to intercept them between feeding and bedding areas.

Use up a lot of boot leather but hunt smart. Try to walk farther in than most folks are willing to go.

Expect success. Even when things are going bad and you feel like its hopeless, expect succes at any moment. Keep your attitude positive.

And finally get lucky. I like to think that we make our own luck. So go out and get lucky.

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

I just read through that thread, exactly what I was looking for. I'll be looking through it at least a few more times, lots of good info.

Now it's time to get some Elknut videos.

I drew a rifle tag, but I'm going to try to get one w/ my bow first, if I can't I'll have my .300 mag along to make sure I don't eata tag sandwich, I like Elk meat too much!

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Since I don't have time to get a lot of field experience w/ calls, what do you guys think of the Hootchie mama or similar push calls or cans?

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

I personally am a fan of the hoochie mamma. The only problem I've heard of is it getting dust or what not inside and crapping out. So maybe carry two or a reed as back up. I think I remeber the elk tip thread awhile back and it was a pretty good one. The advice I always tell people is if you hunt timber, you can never be going slow enough. Anyone can shoot an elk out in the open, and given that shot it can make elk hunting seem as easy as deer. The real challenge can be still hunting timber, but in a lot of ways its the most rewarding. If you do choose to hunt timber you should have a pair of 8x32 binos, literally take two or three quite steps and scan the timber. The crouch down and scan again. A lot of people equate hard hunting with the amount of ground you cover in the day. But for me, it is how you hunt that equates to more success. What is the point of bumping elk 10 miles in if you never get a shot off? You might have walked a lot farther, but you might as well have left your gun at the truck, because you sure ain't killing nothing tromping through the trees. When you think your going slow enough and scanning your surroundings with enough scrutiny, go slower and scan more.

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

I just ordered my Elknut video. I do plan on hunting timber w/ my bow, and hope I can get one that way, it gives you a much better feeling of accomplishment, in my mind.

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

They work good, but also have their draw backs. Example say a hunter is hunting the same area that you are and he has the same push calls. He calls in a bull and either chooses to pass but the elk knows he or she is theiror it busts him and he doesn't have a shot. Either way the bull figures out that the call came from a human and not a elk. Well the next day or two or maybe a week or solater you come onto this bull. When he hears your same call the elk is now education to that call, and knows that it is in fact a human and not a elk. I do use the pust calls butmostly with several cow calls, so I can sound like a heard of elk instead of just one or two. If that is all you have then its better then nothing unless of course everyone else on the mountain has one too. One last thing remember to not overuse them.

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

One huge advantage I will have is that no one else hunts the land I'll be on, it's private ground and the owner hasn't let anyone shoot an elk there for 8 years.

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

bow4bo, yes i know the CARRS, i have cut up beef for them a few times. i went to school with thier daughter KELLY. i think you will have some good luck on your side, hunting private ground just outside the park! wow! have fun!

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Congrats and good luck!

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Well I got my Hootchie Mama today, and a bugling call, and a diaphram call (can't get it to make a peep, don't even know if I've got it in my mouth right) but obviously the Hootchie Mama is pretty basic, but I'm suprised how easy it is to use the bugle call I got. I need to learn the different variations and when to use them, so I'll wait patiently for my Elknut videos and hopefully learn from them.

On a side note that is outrageously amazing, I just talked to my younger brother, and he drew a tag for the same unit but he drew an archery only tag, meaning he will get to hunt Sept, and I'll hunt Oct. Just to put it into perspective, there were only 5 archery tags issued for the unit!!!! The odds of us both drawing in the same year is completely insane!!!!!![&:]

Any advice on a good pair of hiking boots, since it seems to be a vital part of this type of hunting?????

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20564&rid=&i ndexId=cat550012&navAction=push&navCount=3 &parentType=index&parentId=cat550012&i d=0005212These are the ones I use:

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

wish i had a hootchie mama


wonder if they take trade-in's ?

early

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

I just got the form today to pay for my elk tag, and found out that I can't apply for another elk tag for 9 years of any kind.:(Kinda depressing, but that much more incentive to do it right. No tag sandwiches for this guy!

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

9 years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

im speechless.

early

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

I'm watching my Elknut video right now and dang it's a lot of info to take in, awesome video, thanks Elknut if you're reading this!!!!!!!!!!

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Bow4Bo, Thanks! Are you cow hunting or bull hunting? I read many of the posts but not all.

I wish I would've know you were looking for a video, Vol-4 would've been the one I would've suggested! But as you can tell, they're full of info.

Good Luck!--ElkNut1

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Elknut,

I got video 1 and it seems to be just what I need for now, the basics. I will be Bull hunting, and need to make it count. If I get the first video down I'll be ordering another one, but I am definately a beginner so I'm starting out crawling. Seems like I'll be busy getting the basics for now. Any tips are definately welcome on videos, strategy, what to wear, when to go, anything, I'm an open book w/ no preconceived notions about how to do it.

Anyone- Does anyone ever use decoys? If you've tried, what do you think about them?

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

I sent you Vol-4, you really should have that one! It talks about the use of decoys & their setup. I have one setup in the background with many tips. It also deals quite a bit on wallows, early season or pre-rut, peak-rut, post-rut, which is what time frame you'll be hunting! How to deal with hung-up bulls etc. I think you'll enjoy it!

Thanks / ElkNut

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Irealy like them, they have worked very well for me. I like the cow elk number 1 or 3 from Montana Decoys.

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

I really appreciate the video Elknut, I'm really going to have to buckle down to get all this info processed by this fall.

I'll check out the decoys Idaho, thanks for the info.

Dang I'm caught between wishing it was time to go do it and needing time to get ready!!!

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

I feel your pain Bow4bo! I am getting ready to make my second trip to Colorado. I have butterflies in the pit of my stomach I am so excited. It is beautiful country out there, the residents are nice and informational, it is going to be a wonderful expirence. I can not wait until October!

RE: I'm stoked fellas.
 

Elknut,

Dang, I sure appreciate the 2nd video, holy crap for lots of info. I'll recommend these videos to anyone. I'll also recommend that they take a couple days off work to watch and absorb all the info, over and over. Can DVD's wear out? Cause I'm going to test em! Thanks again and I'll be in touch once I know what I don't know!

Bo