Elk hunts..

[def90]

Got out bright and early yesterday for opening day archery. Was up at the top of the ridge by sunrise. Drizzled on and off throughout the day and the wind was light and very variable/swirling. Got a sniff of elk briefly but was never able to determine which way it was coming from. Put in 6.5 miles from 5am to 5pm, sat in a few places for an hour or more working on some longer calling sequences. Didn't see a single thing, saw no fresh as in the last 24 hours sign, and got zero responses to my cow calling. Heard another hunter that came up behind me let out a random bugle on his way up, yes 99.99% it was a guy with a bugle tube and not an elk. Think I might skip the opening holiday weekend shit show the next two days and get back to it on Monday, or I may use these two days to explore a couple of those places that look good on a map in regards to they check off all the boxes except that they are right off the road and you think "there's no way that they would be there" but I've heard stories about that kind of thing working out.

27 days to go.

[Little Dutch]

Good luck!

[fj605]

I have a 5R (cow elk, private land, rifle) tag that opened on the 1st. I went out yesterday after work and was just going to sleep in the bed of my pickup all weekend but got caught in a rain storm that wasn't supposed to happen. Drove home last night soaking wet. I have 5 months to get it done so I'm in no rush.

[whitewalrus]

I have a 5R (cow elk, private land, rifle) tag that opened on the 1st. I went out yesterday after work and was just going to sleep in the bed of my pickup all weekend but got caught in a rain storm that wasn't supposed to happen. Drove home last night soaking wet. I have 5 months to get it done so I'm in no rush.

Always best to sleep in the cab if you can


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[CS1983]

Similar experience as OP, though no randos bugling like an idiot.

No fresh sign and no responses to calling. Smelled elk very briefly but couldn’t figure where the smell came from due to wind variations. Will keep pushing.

Warbonnet hammock, tarp, under and top quilt for the win. Way better than ground sleeping.

[def90]

Went back out today to a different area, no elk sighted nor any responses to cow calling but did find fresh as in the last 24 hrs sign. Wind was once again extremely variable. Have to work the next couple days and hope to get back out Thursday through the weekend.

[Irving]

I turned in my bull and bear tags for muzzleloader this year. I got myself all worked up to get out there and cover ground and tent camp instead of staying in a cabin a 45 min drive away, and now I'm sweating through my clothes 4 times a day down in Louisiana. Bummer.

[Great-Kazoo]

I turned in my bull and bear tags for muzzleloader this year. I got myself all worked up to get out there and cover ground and tent camp instead of staying in a cabin a 45 min drive away, and now I'm sweating through my clothes 4 times a day down in Louisiana. Bummer.

You decided to go south, it seems . Better than clogging up someone's toilet ;)

[Irving]

I didn't really decide. Life decided for me. Lost my points and money. Oh well. Good luck everyone else.

[Hummer]

Sometimes life gives you alligator stew. Try to make the best of it.

Today, Deb made five different moose sausages. Time to make room in the freezers. I really want a pronghorn and an elk this year.

[TRnCO]

best of luck to you early hunters. It looks like my archery partner and I are going to hold out for the last 10 days of season.