Struck out on Elk... so far. Question.

[Zombie Steve]

I may still get a day in this weekend before 2nd rifle is over.

Was up in GMU 34 the last 5 days or so. Lots more snow than last year, and a constant freeze / melt cycle that made every step sound like you were walking on a bag of Doritos.

My question is about the full moon - I don't think I took my headlamp out of my pack once is was so bright. Seemed everything was done moving around well before sunup. You guys ever notice the full moon to be bad juju on a hunt?

Also didn't help that we set up in a valley one morning and had some late sleeping hunters walk right down the middle with the wind at their backs 5 minutes before dawn. Burned the whole morning for me.

Only saw one cow running briefly through a break in the trees. Only had a bull tag anyway, so it didn't matter.

Anyway, nice running around the woods with a rifle. Good for the soul. Anybody else get one?

[Zombie Steve]

Pics for the scenery.

[vossman]

Full moon is kind of bad juju from what I have heard. Darkness = Security for them. Stick with it though, you will be awarded eventually.

[DeusExMachina]

Pics for the scenery.

You weren't kidding about that moon being bright!

[Zombie Steve]

You weren't kidding about that moon being bright!

First pic is from a mid day attempt at spot-and-stalk. Again, tough with crunchy snow. Still, I was pretty sure I wouldn't get an elk at camp. Second is going out for the last evening sit. Turned around to look at the mountains for a minute. Got the thicker jacket strapped on the pack. I tried to keep the layers thin until I was going to be stationary for a while. Nothing worse than sweating a lot then sitting down and trying to stay warm.

[newracer]

I have heard that when the moon is full they will feed at night and stay in the dark timber during the day. Makes hunting pretty tough.

[sniper7]

full moon sucks. they feed all night, might talk a little bit in the morning, but usually head for dark timber and nap most of the day. I seem to run into that a lot during archery/muzzleloader season. especially when the temps are up.

[MarkCO]

During the full moon season, I take the .444 or the .450 and still hunt the deepest darkest stuff I can find. If day temps are in the 30s or lower, southern exposures, if above the 30s, nothern exposures. I find bulls don't start to be seen until you are at least 1/2 mile from roads and out of state hunters.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

They see you cause all that orange you've got on.

Yeah the only good thing about a full moon is coyote hunting. Keep your chin up, it's better than working!

[02ducky]

Cool pics, thanks for sharing and good luck!