Need guidance from the elk masters.........

[Dave Smith]

I'll get right to the point- you can read the boring details only if you want to- he he. QUESTION: If you do alot of walking through an area and sweat a little and basically pollute it with your scent, will elk avoid that area- and for how long?

Here is the situation: I had put my treestand up for these elk (first time elk hunter and first year bow hunter so no confidence in calling and ground hunting). Two nights in a row the whole herd moved across the rim right in front of me, between 60 and 100 yards. A bull bugled alot both nights, but I haven't got a good look at him, yet. My plan was to move my stand across to that rim, get out quick and come back and sit in it that night. When I went across to scout it out, it took me forever to figure out what was really going on over there. I finally found the ultimate, ultimate trail- a total bottle neck where five or more trails converge into one for about a 40 yard stretch. It's a little further along their travel route than I would've liked, so it might be close to dark before they get there, but my stand is 19 yards and the lighting is great right at that point. The sacrifice was that to find that spot, I really spent more time along that ridge than I wanted. I didn't bump any animals, but as much as I tried to avoid it, I would occasionally brush my sweaty head and body against branches. I know this would be a total no-no with blacktails, and another friend of mine said that he thought it would be no problem, but already, there is no sign that they have been back after the second day of placing my stand.After this weekend, it will have rested four days so I'll be hitting the stand hard nights this week. What do you think??? Also, I know it's my first year and I should really shoot the first legal elk I can, but I really want that bull- does it seem like I would have just as good a chance at the bull if I get the trail working? I kind of have the intention of passing on cows- Should I take what I can get and get a "kill" under my belt? As always: THANKS for any input!- I am just blown away with all the awesome elk pictures and talent on ifish!
Dave

[toas243]

Kill the first thing that walks by ,because if you get greedy you will not shoot any thing ,or have a chance again ,you are very lucky to see them that close as far as the sweat ,I don`t know ,this is my second year Elk and Deer hunting with my Bow ,and I passed up an Elk about 4 yards cause I got greedy ,and now I have not see many Elk up close since ,good luck

[Amahnee]

Last week I walked into a bedding spot Tuesday evening and placed a stand there the next morning. I had three mulie does walk through and a 6X6 bull bed down for an hour where I stood both the night before and three hours before he showed up. I don't think it's as big an issue as some think. Your elk may just be going about their normal travel routine and may be back in a few days when you're in the stand. The elk that are near my buddies place travel back and forth over an area of a few miles. Here this week, gone the next, back the next.

As far as trying for the bull and not shooting the first opportunity, I think if you pass you must be prepared for disappointment at the end of the season. Opportunities don't come everyday. I would personally take the first legal elk I had the chance at unless I was hunting more than one state.

Larry Jones once said " He who passes usually goes without". That's always stuck with me.

[sprigkiller09]

Dave

I am by no means an elk master but i have killed a couple with my bow. Which means i screwed up dozens of times just to be able to get those opportunities where i connected.

As far as scent goes i dont think it is an issue. I put up a stand for all of eternity in an area and it took me about three hours to lock and strap that sucker down. I forgot a few things to finish so i came back the next day and there Seven BIG bull elk in the area i had trampled down the previous day. Did i sweat? hell yes it was one of those 90 degree+ days in late july. So i kind of came to the conclusion that if it didnt bother those beasts than it is somthing to be cautious of but not to obsess about which i did before that time.

I agree with the other guys if you have an opportunity to knock down an elk. Do it no matter how many points or even if it is none at all. I was greedy and paid for it. Plus when do connect on that first elk it is an awesome feeling. My first one was a spike and it didnt matter if it was a 6 point or not. I was elated.

[Dave Smith]

OK, that's just the kind of information I was looking for- THANKS! I am going to guess that the reason this could still work is not because their sense of smell isn't that great, maybe it's more because it's so good that they can distinguish between fresh scent and old scent- what do you think? (Probably doesn't really matter- he he). I will take the advice into consideration about passing or not passing. I really don't have a problem with passing up on a cow and ending up with nothing, but it would be nice to shoot something besides a rabbit and starling before late deer season starts- he he. I have shot alot of trophies (mostly banded geese- he he) by waiting while others would have shot. I have gone home empty handed because of it and usually still feel good about the decision.
Dave

[Ni!]

I don't think a single incident of having scent in the area will affect them too much. I've had situations like those mentioned above where I'm in an area leaving scent and the elk go through shortly afterwards with no apparent reaction. However, if you do this persistently over time, it can have an effect IF they have another area to go to that gets less pressure. I believe elk are very sensitive to repeated pressure and will tend to avoid those areas in favor of areas that have less pressure.

So...short answer: One or two times probably won't be an issue. Much more than that - especially if you jump them in person - and you could put them off the area. My

[Dave Smith]

awesome information- thanks a ton- sounds like I may be OK- thanks, everyone

[Rauly]

I guess the real question to be asked is....Does the bull have a collar?If not then take the first good opertunity.

[OR Coast Range]

About the scent thing, I don't know elk behavior as well as I know (or at least I think I know) blacktail behavior, but I wouldn't think that a one time thing is going to put them off. I wouldn't worry too much about that.

As far as passing on a cow, I think that that is a personal decision. As long as you can look back on your season and feel good about it if you pass up a nice fat cow and then you go for the rest of the season without another opportunity, then I'd say hold out for horns. Everyone has different goals when it comes to hunting, and only you can decide what drives you.

However, like everyone's said - be prepared to accept the fact that you may not get a second chance.

[packer]

Been treestanding elk for almost 20 yrs , i wouldn't worry about the scent you left on the ground the day before , but i would be very careful when i was up the tree .I started wearing scent loc 4 years ago and the # of animals coming in has gone way up nothing more fun than having a herd milling around completely oblivious to your presence .

[thehunt]

Dave, shoot that bull. I like the idea of letting the cows walk. especially if they are cruising by and clueless of your presence. Why not right? Does a guy get a collar by shooting the fist goose in the flock? he he, I know that one will get ya' thinking.

[DRUNK COWBOY]

Go for the Bull. A cow is a cow and if you are not strictly a meat hunter, then you need horns!

The scent thing is dependent on the situation. With this bull being as "hot" as you say, I do not think it will matter. You need to start bugling at this Bull Now!!!!! If he has moved to a different area and you do not know where he is, then go in the evening and sit in your stand or close to it and Bugle your freaking brains out. Even if there is no answers, keep bugling and cow calling. Come back early the next morning and see if he and the cows have returned. Usually the bull will come in at night and tear the living heck out of trees and brush looking for the competition. I have put this tactic to good use over the years.

Put the calling tips that Tim has given to you and try it out. You do not have to be a great or even a good caller to get bulls to light up. Sometimes the bad sounding bugles are the best bugle to use These Elk have really turned on in the last several days and now is you best opportunity to get him.

[llama77]

Dave,
Get out of the stand and sneek up on that bugling bull and kill him! You dont have to call at all if you know where hes at. Get in close and cow call if you need.

Just keep the wind in your face. From my experience Elk have a pretty good nose. I believe they can easily tell fresh from old scent. Scent covers and clothes may help but what do you do about your breath?

If they were really concerned about human scent. where would they go? Arent too many places that people dont go nowadays. Doesnt leave many scent free areas for them.

I also think during the rut that any predictable paterns tend to go out the window. Bulls will try and keep other bulls from stealing their cows. So they often have to move them to another area. Sometimes a long ways!. We have had lots and lots of bulls pack up and leave when they hear a bugle.
Young bulls will be moving around looking for stray cows.

There may be situations where they tend to kep their patern. Alfalfa fields and areas without a lot of competition.

[Hunt'nFish]

Originally Posted by Dave Smith

awesome information- thanks a ton- sounds like I may be OK- thanks, everyone

Good luck Dave. I'll bow before the hunt gods tonight in your honor.
Hang in there. Patience pays.
Hunt'nFish

[duckunter]

Go for the Bull!

Dave we're in the same situation (first year bow hunters) with some of the same friends...Parks will tell you "kill the first thing you see and get a couple under your belt!" Those words keep ringing through my head, but I'm really not a meat hunter (love it but it's not all about the meat to me)? I've spent 9 HARD days in the woods and still have nothing to show for it? NO WAY! This is the first year I've gone this long without a fall chinnook on my tag, I have no interest in early geese, my egg supply is running low...and all these things really dont bother me much because I'm having a ball in the woods!

I got my 14 year old DAUGHTER all camo'ed out the other day and took her on about a 5 mile hike! If that's the memory I get out of this season it was all worth it!

There's no way I'll win "bow hunter of the year" at this pace, but I don't think shooting a cow just to score points would make me feel that much better....go for the rack!

[Dave Smith]

Aahhhh, there's the encouragement I need! THANKS a ton, guys! I sat in the stand tonight and didn't even hear a faint chirp- I assume they are a distance away. I will be able to sit in the stand every night this week so every day that they don't show put's me one day closer. On cow shooting, the only other criteria is that alot of people have helped me and alot of them want some meat- he he. I will push it and go after them if I have to, but I am smart enough to know the limitations of my skills (no skills- he he), so my ace in the hole will have to be patience for at least the remainder of the week. Thanks again, everyone. Dave

[Eagleclaw]

I've walked down a trail and had elk come down the same trail i was walking. Don't worry about your scent but do shot the first elk you get a chance to shoot. Get the first one under your belt and then hold out for a bigger one.

Just a heads up from an experienced elk hunter who's eaten elk tag soup to many times.. IT SUCKS!!!! Shoot the first elk that walks in front of you...:smile:

[toas243]

Well I was in Elk today had the sucker (Bullwith out collar )chuckling really close to me ,I will return tomorrow and the next day and so forth

[Dave Smith]

good luck toas and thanks, Eagleclaw- that sounds like a good idea

[Ni!]

Well I just got back from a week of elk hunting and I should probably say right up front that I'm definitely NOT an elk master. p

I did get some interesting shots with my trailcam that relate directly to this thread though, so I thought I'd share them.

I've got a Cuddeback Expert and I'm still trying to figure out all the features on it. Here's a picture of me after I've set it up at a fence crossing. You can see the manual in my hand as I'm going back to figure out how to activate the video.



Notice the time stamp is 10:40 AM. About 8 hours later I get this picture of a cow and calf elk at the fence. I figure they probably crossed the fence and went on past.



An hour later I get these two pictures of a bull elk. He doesn't cross and I guessed that maybe the flash scared him off before he made the jump.




Then I open the video file on my computer and I see something interesting. The calf is sniffing and licking the top wire of the fence where I pushed down with my hand. The cow is very agitated and eventually they move off without crossing. The bull also has his nose on the fence wire and even though it was too dark for video, I can almost guarantee that's the reason he didn't cross the fence either. Here's the video link:



So the scent from my hand on the fence wire was spooking elk more than 9 hours later. Either I stink pretty bad (I had been hunting for 6 days, so it's possible) or the scent we leave behind makes a bigger impact than we typically think it does.

[baumer]

Dave- I would agree with the "get out of the stand" advice. You need to be mobile to adjust to what the elk are doing and where they are heading. Being in a stand prevents you from making that last second adjustment to get the shot you need. If the elk are moving noise is not to big of a concern, so you can travel at a good pace to intercept or set up your opportunity. I would not worry about leaving your scent. Now if everybody and their brother are in the area, they will push the elk out for sure. Elk can travel great distances to get away from pressure.

Keep at it, trial and error is how I have gained my experience.