Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

Which do you think has a better chance of taking an elk while bow hunting, two guys hunting solo or hunting together?

I have always thought solo, but this last season I had several elk come running directly to my calls and I couldn't get a shot. If I were calling for a buddy, he probably would have taken the elk.

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

With archery I would have to say two is better than one. One guy to hunt and one guy to do the calling. It would be hard to get a broadside shot with them coming directly in to the call. Now, this is based on what I've read as I have only done solo rifle hunts.

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

When two hunters get along well, & think alike & are on the same page as what to expect from the other, then there's no more lethal way to take elk or consistently have opportunity after opportunity with two!

Because of this I choose to hunt with two or three at times, there's tons of action that a lone hunter could never experience! I also hunt alone at times when not "running & gunning" Wallows are great for the lone hunter. Some ambushing or Call for location then Stalking. It's all great fun!!! But your level of success, (meat in the freezer) will go way up!

' Decoys are a great assett to the lone hunter as well.

ElkNut1

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

Those last 60 yards are hard to bring em in. If you're 60-100 closer to the elk than the caller, that seems to take care of that problem.

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

"Those last 60 yards are hard to bring em in. If you're 60-100 closer to the elk than the caller, that seems to take care of that problem." -MThunter

My thoughts exactly.

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

Solo they just seem to hang up in the 60 -80 yd range. I have used the Montana decoy and it helps some, but you really need the caller behind the shooter.

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

I would say that 2 ups the ante, as long as like what elknut says, the 2 are on the same page. I have killed several bulls by myself and it all comes down to setup and call direction at this stage. When by myslef I will set up in and around thicker areas, leaving the bulls to look around a little as they can not see the lovesick cow. This keeps the RED flag from going up and may give you a good broadside. I will direct my call in different directions from where I am sitting, it is kind of like throwing your voice. I do prefer 2, but 1 will work also!!!!

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

I like both, and have success in both ways. But I prefer to hunt double or triple, any more than that is a crowd. With three, you can have two callers which IMO is sometiems better then one with a shooter placed out in front.

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

Two.. as said!

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

I hunt solo, in part because I can't find anybody else who gets 16 days vacation in September. Solo hunting presents challenges which I have not entirely solved, to be honest. I call in lots of bulls that hang up just out of bow range or come straight in. 350, 330, 310 (x2), 290 (x3), 260. Those numbers are approximate antler scores of bulls I've called in the last 4 years that I'm sure somebody would have killed if I was a pair!

I like solo hunting, though.

Story time: My brother knows a fellow who tells this story. He took out his son and his son-in-law on a bow hunt one time. The father took the calling position in the rear with the two younger hunters positioned out ahead in the classic triangle formation. The son-in-law had never bowhunted elk before but was instructed to take his post, and SIT STILL! Well, they get into some great action, with bulls going bonkers around them. One really big bull is coming in right on top of the son, when the son-in-law gets restless and jumps up to walk over and pass the time of day. In doing so, he spooks the big bull before the son can get a shot. Some harsh words are passed, and the son-in-law storms off in a huff. He heads back to the father's position, where a second bull is coming in. The father has his bow drawn, when he sees an arrow zip through the bull he was preparing to shoot. YUP, son-in-law walks up and shoots the bull right out from under him!

They never took the in-law hunting again.

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

95% of my hunting is stalking. I either spot and stalk or have a good idea where they are before I begin the stalk. Because of this I hunt solo. I am slowly getting into calling and I can see how this would be more effective with two hunters. The problem I have with hunting with another hunter is that here in Texas there aren't many experienced elk hunters. Everyone I know is very green and they are just dragging me down.

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

The Guide service I use hunts with 2 archery hunters w/ 1 guide. The guide hangs back and does the calling. The shooters are placed ahead and apart several yards. They've found this gives better shooting opportunities on the Bull coming in.They explainsometimes they try to circle, and other times you just don't know exactly how close that Bull will get toa loneshooter when he shows. It would seem like a good system to me. I know I've seen single shooters on the Outdoor Ch., and they often don't get a chance because of the way the Bull approaches.

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

I like to bowhunt solo,but do hunt with upto 3 partners.
BUT like you guys have said you need to know your partner,I hunted last year with a guy who thought LOUD,AGGRESIVE, bugles were all elk came to.Put it this way you don't wanna be cow calling next to a guy who bugle's like Ted Nugett on a guitar solo,not only do your ears suffer,so dose your hunting.
BBJ

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

Two works better, for sure, but, I prefer to hunt by myself. I have been very successful, or lucky, I'm not sure, but I've killed my share of nice bulls. I prefer to drink beer at the campfire with my friends, but itsthe bulls againstme in the dark timber.

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

2 guys...one come down the ridge, the other sneak up the same ridge.

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

the only problem i have encountered with two guys archery hunting is that sometimes the elk seem to circle at the last minute to see what is calling. This can take the shooter completely out of the picture and the caller usually isn't ready to shoot. Also, many times elk come in silently so you don't know the direction it is coming from. But for the most part, I always bow hunt with a partner, you just have to learn how to adjust for that. I have heard of people hunting in groups of five or six with the caller in the middle and the other guys in a circle around him, but i haven't tried that a whole lot

RE: Elk bow hunting solo or together?
 

One man can.

Two men to execute a plan and get that elk meat into a can.