One week left for archery elk..

[def90]

I've just been hunting GMU 38 here in Gilpin County because it's all I have time for, it's a low odds unit with a lot of hunters.

Anyway, this is only my second season of hunting and have managed to make it out 9 days now, at least one day every weekend and some Wednesdays and Thursdays. Last weekend I finally located some elk in the timber and managed to bump one from it's bed. They were also making some noise that day for the first time this season. Went back Wednesday to the same basin and got up on a timbered ridge in the dark and got above them. Wind was barely moving and straight uphill. Made some cow calls and got responses. Got a cow return and a couple calf returns that were pretty close and a bull location return. Also saw a couple cows right at tree line heading west in the cirque I was in about a half mile ahead of me feeding as they went along. Called again and the bull responded again within a few seconds, switched to a cow "come here" or assembly mew and the bull then switched to a couple full on bugles with chuckles at the end. He sounded a little ways off so I slowly kept moving in his direction while still calling and getting responses. Eventually I stopped because the timber was getting thick enough that I wouldn't be able to get a shot if I wanted to and began to scan around for a more open area. After a few minutes I decided to move to my left slightly downhill as the trees opened up a bit and as I turned to make a step over a log there was a loud crash directly behind me, another elk had came in to my calls and approached from behind and was only 15 ft behind me when I turned and it spun and took off running, all I saw was it's ass end disappearing in to the trees, I never heard it. In the meantime the elk ahead of me stopped responding and about 30 minutes later I saw another hunter pop up above treeline heading uphill. I'm guessing he got in between the bull I was calling and myself and the bull went the other way. Positive it wasn't this guy calling as well because I heard him call later when he got up higher on the ridge and it sounded like a guy blowing in to a tube..

Went back yesterday and the area was nothing but crickets, not a sign of an elk anywhere, hiked to the next basin over and ran in to another group of guys and they hadn't seen or heard a thing either.. I'm assuming they have moved across the valley to another ridge/mountain. As I left late yesterday afternoon I ran in to 5 other trucks driving around looking. Time is getting short, going to have to join them and drive up after work each night and see if I can figure out where they went, I still have Wednesday left and maybe sat or sun.

[CS1983]

When calling, it’s imperative you give each session about 20 minutes to work. If they’re being cautious they will slip in and then you’ll scare them off if rushing it. I learned this the hard way last year and switched up technique. Ended up bringing them in but we couldn’t get a clear shot. Then my daughter was born and I quit the season.

Soft cow calls and not constant goes a long way. Some of the more successful guys on archerytalk say that the bugle shouldn’t even come out if possible. Their bread and butter is proper cow calling and pre season scouting. Met up with a lifelong archery hunter last year who gave me and my buddy a crash course right there in the woods. Our method we would see an elk once a day. His method, we saw them 2-3 times a day. Was astounding how backing off frequency and loudness was so effective.

Keep at it. Even if you don’t get one down, you’re learning and you’ve seen more elk than the dudes stuck at home.

Can’t believe I missed this season, but alas...

[sniper7]

Only got out a couple days due to other hunts and commitments but had a decent 5x5 bull hold up at 80 yards on me due to the wind swirling and he eventually moved off.

Would like to go again this last week due won’t be able to due to work and another hunting trip. Oh well always next year...

[Irving]

I wish I had the experience to add useful advice to this thread, but I don't. I think I've reached the end of my education with my usual muzzle loader elk season hunting partners.

[Little Dutch]

Only made it out once so far this season. Incredibly windy and I don’t think anything was moving. I’m envious you at least saw some. I had a lot more time before the kids!

[hunterhawk]

I struck out as well. Had a cow come in but with 20mph swirling winds and she was gone. Havent even seen an elk this year. I have seen twice as many hunters as passed years though