Archery Tips, Tricks and Advice (elk)

[GilpinGuy]

GilpinGuy- what unit you hunting in?

38 - Gilpin County. Heading up near Rollins Pass tomorrow morning.

[birddog]

Save you legs and glass a lot. I also echo the need not to call. You should never need to bugle (maybe very few times but definitely not right now) on a public land hunt. These days it hurts more than it helps.

On TV guys like to kill monster bulls out ink big meadows, that's not reality. Stay in the timber, move slow, and watch for sign. look for big flat spots (good for bedding) on the north facing slopes. Also watch the edge of the timber, right next to an opening. Bulls like to be able to see when they are bedded. If you get on fresh track and want to follow it don't walk right on it. Walk parallel to it as far away as you can still see it.

Sounds like you are spending plenty if time in the woods which is good, can't kill them from the couch.

[GilpinGuy]

I got into a few cows today but no dice.

I got into the woods right at sunrise and sat at a small clearing until about 8:30. There were a few bugles way off but I'm not sure if they were from hunters or not.

Then I walked up a stream for a while and decided to head up hill. About 500 yards in I spot 2 cows munching on the foliage. I was only about 30 yards from them but I was totally exposed. No cover nearby within 10 yards so I was kinda stuck. The ground was wet so I could walk quietly.

I watched these two for a few minutes then decided that I had to make a move. I took a few steps and one sensed something and stared right at me for a few minutes. She then relaxed and started munching away again. After a few minutes I again tried to move but was foiled. The same cow was on me immediately and bolted.

The funny thing was that the other cow was not intrrested in me at all. She never once raised her head until the other one took off, then she followed.

They'll just be fatter that next time I see em!