It's getting to be that time again... ARCHERY ELK!

[yammerhammer]

I post this up every year so if it seems you’ve read it before, you’re not crazy. It “usually” brings some good discussion.


Have you noticed that in your favorite OTC (over the counter) public lands that the elk of gone into a silent rut? The area I hunt, which I have done for 21 years,
used to be land locked by ranch land. We, at that time, had permission to cross this ranch land to hunt the land locked NF. The hunting then was
good. About 10 years ago, the ranch lease ended and the DOW took this
state land as a STL (state truct land) and opened it up to any and all. That’s ok, it's public land, and we all pay for it however it has slowly killed the great hunting area back behind since most can drive to within 1/4 mile of where the good hunting is/was. For guy's like myself whom don't mind putting a backpack on and going back in even farther, the hunting is still ok however the elk are become edumacated on these hunters that use the Primos run and gun tactics. They have flat shut-up. I have called in a few bulls and cows
that surprised me because they were silent. It makes it more difficult for
us whom put the work in to harvest an animal, then the DOW steps in and
messes it all up by opening up the land to all run and gun type hunters just so their revenues will stay within quota, especially nonresident dollars. I guess I'm just ranting because my area is not as good as it once was.
Thoughts???????

 

[woodzy]

Elk are not dumb animals, as those of us that hunt them know all too well. They adapt to predation.. When it comes to areas being not as good as they once were, I say tough. As more and more people get into archery hunting, the more and more areas you feel are "yours" are going to get taken over by them. Go find some new areas, hunt them and fill 'em full of bonepiles! Don't let petty crap like this ruin the greatest sport there is!!

 

[frock]

I am blessed with a great area for bowhunting elk. My best buddy owns 40 acres that straddles a river with the only road access to a massive area (30-40 square miles) behind him. He's had some huge problems with people trespassing without permission and leaving huge messes on the beach at the river while they were there fishing/partying. He fixed this by putting up a big locked gate with many do not trespass signs. The area behind him is very difficult to access without the road. This is the HONEYHOLE.

 

[Abominable]

Ahhh archery...

When I was about 10 my dad got me one of those little bada$$ compound bow beginner kits. Of course, the first month I went around our land
sticking arrows in anything that could get stuck by an arrow. Did you
know that a 1955 40 horse Farmall tractor will take 6 broadheads before it
goes down? Tough sumbich.

Before very long that got boring, so being the 10 yr. old Dukes of Hazzard fan that I was, I quickly advanced to taking strips of cut up Tshirt doused in chainsaw gas tied around the end and was sending flaming arrows all over the place. Keep in mind this was 99.999% humidity swampland so there really wasnt any fire danger.. Ill put it this way- a set of post hole
diggers and a 3ft. hole and you had yourself a well.

One summer afternoon, I was shooting flaming arrows into a large rotten
oak stump in our backyard. I looked over under the carport next to the broken down Farmall and see a shiny brand new can of starting fluid (ether). The light bulb went off.

I grabbed the can and set it on the stump and notched an arrow. Before I lit it I thought to myself that it would probably just spray out in a dissapointing manner - lets face it to a 10 yr. old mouth-breather like myself, "ether" really doesnt sound all that flammable.
So, I went back into the house and got a 1-pound can of
pyrodex (black powder for dads muzzle loader rifles).. At this point, I set
the can of ether on the stump and opened up the can of black powder. My
intentions were to sprinkle a little bit around the ether can but it all
sorta dumped out. No biggie... 1 lb pyrodex and 16 oz ether should make
a loud pop, kinda like a firecracker you know?

You know what? Screw that. Im going back in the house for the other can.
Yes, I got a second can of pyrodex and dumped it too. Now we're cookin'.
I stepped back about 15ft and lit the 2-stroke arrow.
I drew the nock to my cheek and took aim. As I released I heard a 'clunk' as the arrow launched from my bow...

In a slow motion time frame, I turned to see my
dad getting out of the truck... OH shat he just got home from work.

So help me God, it took 10 minutes for that arrow to go from my bow to
the can. My dad was walking towards me in slow motion with a WTF look in
his eyes. I turned back towards my target just in time to see the arrow
pierce the starting fluid can right at the bottom. Right through the
main pile of pyrodex and into the 2nd pile.

Oh.

snap.

When the shock wave hit it knocked me off my feet. I dont know if it was
the actual compression wave that threw me back or just reflex jerk back
from 235 decibels of sound. I caught a half a milisecond glimpse of the
violence during the initial explosion and I will tell you there was
dust, grass, and bugs all hovering 1ft above the ground as far as i
could see. It was like a little low-to-the-ground layer of dust fog full
of grasshoppers, spiders, and a crawfish or two.
The daylight turned purple. Let me repeat this... THE DAYLIGHT TURNED PURPLE.
There was a big sweetgum tree out by the gate going into the pasture.
Notice i said "was".
That mother got up and ran off.
So here I am, on the ground blown completely out of my shoes with my thundercats Tshirt shredded, my dad is on the other side of the carport having what i can only assume is a Viet Nam flashback, 'ECHO BRAVO CHARLIE, YOUR BRINGIN' EM IN TOO CLOSE!! CEASE FIRE DAMIT CEASE FIRE!!!!!'
His hat has blown off and is 30 ft. behind him in the driveway. All windows on the north side of the house are blown out and there is a slow rolling mushroom cloud about 2000 ft over our backyard.
There was a Honda 185s 3-wheeler parked on the other side of the yard and the fenders are drooped down and are now touching the tires. I wish I
knew what I said to my dad at this moment. I dont know- I know I said
something I couldnt hear anything but a terrible loud ringing. I couldnt hear inside my own head. I dont think he heard me either.... not that it would really matter. I dont remember much from this point on.. I said something, felt a sharp pain, and then woke up later. I felt a sharp pain, blacked out, woke later....
repeat this process for an hour or so and you get the idea.

I remember at one point my mom had to give me CPR so dad could beat me some more. Bring him back to life so dad can kill him again. Thanks mom.
One thing is for sure... I never had to mow around that stump again. Mom
had been bit(hing about that thing for years and dad never did anything
about it. I stepped up to the plate and handled business!
Dad sold his muzzloaders a week or so later. And I still have some sort of bone growth abnormality, either from the blast or the beating. Or both. I
guess what im trying to say is, get your kids into archery. Its good
discipline and will teach them skills they can use later on in life.

(Not my story, copied off the web somewhere)

 

[frock]

Great story Abominable. I have a sore 24 pack from that one.

 

[motojunkie101]

Archery hunting can be awesome. The last few years it seems like the elk herds have been getting smaller and harder to find. My family hunts up river from Avery ID and its been slowly getting harder and harder to get on the animals.

Personally i blame the wolves...there are too damn many of the things and they are killing for sport.

www.saveourelk.com

 

[minie me]

yep notice that around my home area too. far too many people, especially when they are the only one that come to my calls!

 

[PJ-Hunter]

I have noticed the change also. I have also adapted my style. I don't bugle any more, I just cow call but not a whole bunch. I also try to listen to everything. The squirrels have a good tell also. If they start squawking in an area that isn't right in my direct location I know that they are barking at something. I have seen bear, moose, deer, turkey and elk come into range this way. You just have to be patient.

When I scout I try to find an area that has sign and then I search for the "highway". I set up a climber or a ladder stand in a good location with a pretty good shooting lane and I apply more patience. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I guess that is why we call it hunting, eh?

 

[Nate]

I have given the archery bit a go a few times. It's fun, and invigorating, but like you said, too many people . Too many people watch the outdoor network, buy $500 in camo and calls, and give it a try. Archery hunting is addicting, but it seems too many people are doing it. Most of the time you see hunters bugling to other hunters more humorous than watching Turkey hunters do the same.

I'll stick with the rifle, but will prolly get back into it again hopefully soon.

Also...big prob with archery hunting is when you stick a wolf they can run quite a long ways before dying. Also, magnets turn the radio collars off, but it has to be a bit powerful to do so.

 

[yammerhammer]

One week from today, I'll be in the black timber and quakies in search of the
"Ghost Of the Timber!"

 

[blue fluff]

Lolo Flats on the way up to go sledding a couple years ago.

 

[woodzy]

two weekends away.......

 

[xrated]

I am blessed with a great area for bowhunting elk. My best buddy owns 40 acres that straddles a river with the only road access to a massive area (30-40 square miles) behind him. He's had some huge problems with people trespassing without permission and leaving huge messes on the beach at the river while they were there fishing/partying. He fixed this by putting up a big locked gate with many do not trespass signs. The area behind him is very difficult to access without the road. This is the HONEYHOLE.

he isn't required to have an easement on that road for people to get past his land?

 

[Idaho Slim]

Good luck to you Yammer, I start in 2 days, riding my horse into the back country and sleeping under a tree to be there at sun up. Damn hot tho, so will only check out my hidey hole spots this weekend and hope for a cool off.

 

[yammerhammer]

Thanks Slim, good luck you also. I remember back in my horse days. Sure made my life a lot easier
Those 5-6 days in camp. The other 359-360 is what sucked. lol