Bingo. If you want to hunt, find a way to hunt. No sense pouting in the car. Find a way to get it done man. Hope you're able to get back out there! Sorry your hunt got ruined. But if you have permission to be there, then take a stand and hunt!

-Jake

Unfortunately crowded condition can happen even on private land but is especially bad on public. Hunting is a game of numbers and the more time you spend out in the woods the better your chances will be to have a good hunt without interference from others. If success was easy it wouldn't be as much fun.

Ok, I am over it now. I actually just got some interesting info from the landowner.

Lets just say, the spot is not safe for me to hunt on. Scouting for another spot.

I thought you had a "friend" helping you with this hunt? He bale on you?

no, I got excited and started scouting and trying to hunt on my own. Big mistake.

He and I are actually going out together tomorrow.

This is getting confusing. How many people actually have permission to hunt elk on this property? Are you guys rotating hunting days or something?

It’s complicated. The property owners say they are legally required to say yes to any elk hunter who asks for permission to hunt there because of the high elk population on their property. I don’t know why or what made it a legal thing.

So many hunters there it’s getting unsafe. The owners actually lost a tractor and some pipes due to gun shots at elk. (It wasn’t me. I haven’t even got a shot off yet.) Hunters not being aware of what’s beyond their target.

I decided to scout for another spot, and my friend agrees. Not safe there.

We have another spot we are trying out possibly this Saturday.

Jared

If it's that crowded a new spot isn't a bad idea.

-Jake

Found a new spot with lots of elk activity. Got permission to hunt there, and I’m going to try Thursday morning.

I ALMOST got a bull. Here’s what happened:

I was walking at the spot, when I saw 3 other hunters coming towards me. While continuing to walk towards them, they put their weapons, which were two muzzleloaders and a bow, up quickly. Then I heard the elk running away at full speed. They signaled me, and said, “He is heading towards you! Run back and get him!”

I entered what I call “pursuit mode,” and ran back. After twenty minutes of all four of us looking, we couldn’t find him.

We then all met up, and talked about what happened. We all agreed that we lost him and decided not to pursue, mainly because of the wind direction. The elk could smell us easily.

It was still fun, though. A nice team effort.

That was not almost, not even close to almost.

You’re right. I used the wrong word. I guess I was excited. I apologize.

Still, it was fun.

I know nothing about hunting them but want to say good luck!

Are you allowed to call bull elk in, or just stalk/still hunt these deer.

You may call with a manual call.

Yes, you are allowed to call them in here, but only with a manual call.

Suspecting ...Deleted by CalHunter........why the hell would any hunter, put themselves in a crossfire situation for any animal? I do not care if it is a new hunter, or someone who hunted 50 years, if you do not have the where with all to back away from the above situation...put your firearms away, period.

...Deleted by CalHunter...

What I have spoken is the truth. If you’re skeptical about it, that’s your problem.

I am not a new hunter, I’m just new when it comes to elk. I’m inexperienced when it comes to elk. That’s all! No need to bash me because I did something wrong! True, I HAVE made hunting mistakes in the past, like misidentification of a waterfowl target, but I do my BEST to try to hunt ethically and legally and I try my best to learn how to do it properly!

I also have good friends here on this forum and in my area teaching me how to elk hunt. I only started this thread to get advice and keep you all up to date on my hunt, NOT to get attention!

I have had more than enough emotional trauma and experiences with cyber bullies in my life, if you add to that, I will LEAVE this forum FOR GOOD!

I am not posting or hunting for a while, you hit a tender nerve and I need to calm down.

Jared

Yeah that was my conclusion as well.

That’s it. I am leaving this forum. Like I said, ...Deleted by CalHunter...

Goodbye everyone,

Jared

This topic is temporarily closed, pending review of all 62 posts. It should be reopened later this evening after I've had a chance to review everything.
CalHunter
Moderator

Topic has been reopened after editing/warning. Please follow the rules.

Thank you for all you do. I appreciate it.

To everyone else,

I feel the need to say this, in order to alleviate people worrying about me.

When I said I was leaving, I was not in a good mental state. I had a lot of stress going on. This incident here was only part of it. I’m not gonna go into details on the other stresses, because it’s medical stuff.

I’m staying as a member of this forum, and I apologize if I made anybody worry.

I also apologize for breaking the rules, if I did so. I say this because I noticed that some of my posts were edited by a moderator.

Anyway, I am hitting the sack. I will post again when I have an update on how my hunt is going. Elk short range weapons season for my area ends December 31st.

Again, I apologize for anything I might have done wrong.

Sincerely,

Jared Nicholes

Getting spanked by a mod is almost a rite of passage around here. Sorry Cal. :devil:

Getting past the personal drama and back to the topic, did your buddy get you lined out on an elk or not?

I so far, no. He had a sudden dump of work get onto him. As a result, he’s been extremely busy, and I am waiting to hear when he is able to take me again. However, he said I can go by myself to some spots I know about.

This hunting season is going to be my first hunting and reading all the comments make me super excited for the things to come

I have to stop elk hunting for right now, my car broke down and is in the shop. I’ll resume when I get my car back. Season ends December 31.

Finally got my car back. It was a starter solenoid problem. Hunt resumes tomorrow.

well good luck to you

Jnicholes, 2 weeks for a starter solenoid?? Man, that's a messed up supply chain. Best of luck on the hunt.

It wasn’t really the supply chain. You see, the mechanic was VERY busy, so we took the car back and I fixed it myself. I am not an auto mechanic, but I do have experience with cars.

It took a while to fix.

Anyway, no harvest so far. I’ll keep you all updated.

Ok. Your mechanic sounds like some of the roofers in my area.

Best of luck now that you're back in the hunt jnicholes.

The biggest thing I'd recommend is getting in shape. Elk country is tough country!

I have an update. No harvest so far. Season ends December 31 for my tag. I’m actually beginning to think I won’t be able to get an elk this season. I have not seen any elk since the run-in with the three hunters I mentioned a while ago.

If I don’t get an elk, that’s OK. At least I got SOME experience, and at least I got to get out and enjoy nature while trying to track an elk.

Jared

Lots of time left if you're still able to go.

As it gets colder focus on food sources. They're trying to eat and save energy right now.

-Jake

The last 10 minutes of legal hunting time on the last day of the season can be just as good as opening day. The biggest bull I have taken to date fell to a neck shot with less than 5 minutes of shooting light on the last day. Elk hunting is unpredictable most the time.

I agree a LOT of time left, if it was ME, I'd be talking to locals and game warden, and asking where they typically see Elk in the later season
as winter sets in food changes and Elk are more of a migrating animal than many believe they are, so as food changes they too will move to where they can find easier/better meals!
and fully agree it ain;t over till its over,
opportunity can happen at any time, but you have to be out there to capitalize on it!

keep at it and good luck

Yep, what those two said. And don't be locked into one location or property. Figure out where they want to be then be there.

-Jake

Thanks, guys. I will take your advice and take a look around food spots. I probably should’ve clarified this, but I’m going to keep trying. I am not giving up. I’m just not sure if I’m going to get one this season or not.

If all else fails, I could go for a spring black bear next spring. I’ve already got good information on some spots.

Since you're still learning the area, take mrbb's advice and ask a game warden. Worst case scenario is they have no answer. But I'd bet they can steer you to some decent areas. Not honey holes but decent areas that you can continue hunting.