I think I need?!?!

[nvbroncrider]

A new long range rifle my elk hunt has been very tough and frustrating. Saw 12 cows today and couldn't get closer than a mile and a half. Lots of mountain hiking. Yesterday sporter a lone bull at about a mile and got busted. He climbed 1500 ft and had spead the distance to 2 miles in the matter of 7 minutes from the time I saw him.

So I think I need a 50 BMG or maybe one of those fancy 375's Fotis got.

Any suggestions?

 

[Guy Miner]

That's hunting... :grin:

Stick with a .30-30... Oh, okay, a .30-06 and get closer. Yes, you can... Elk hunters do it all the time... :mrgreen:

 

[Guy Miner]

Or an air strike...

 

[gerry]

It can be tough when things go like that, your luck should change soon however. Had the same problem with spring bears this year but it all worked out eventually, it was unbelievable that it could happen here at the time since it is bear central over here.

 

[DrMike]

Hang in there, Jake. You'll tag out on your elk soon enough. Then, you'll have all year to savour the memory each time you prepare a meal with elk at the centre.

 

[Vince]

Hang in there.
I know what you're feeling as I've been there myself. Whether you fill your tag or not at least you are out hunting. For me that's what it's all about. Sometimes I get disappointed but then I remember why I'm out there. Filling the tag is just an extra bonus that we sometimes get.
Vince

 

[Elkman]

Jake
My theory is that the longer I stay in the field the better chances are that an elk and myself will occupy the same space. That's your chance.
Are you hunting very flat ground? Is there an opportunity to come in from another way? I have always thought that the elk I see in the AM, are the elk that I will be on just before dark. Stay out of the openings, get elevation, stay in the shadows, glass more, keep the faith, elk hunting isn't for wussies.

 

[DrMike]

Jake
My theory is that the longer I stay in the field the better chances are that an elk and myself will occupy the same space.

Good observation, Bill. I've shot more elk in the field than in my front yard. :shock: I did try to entice elk to occupy my yard, but that only worked in Jasper, Alberta. Those critters tended to take over the town. However, the park wardens really--REALLY--frowned on shooting their animals in the park.

 

[BK]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16118167@N04/8023489471/

 

[wildgene]

...40someyrs. of elk hunting has taught me that while not exactly "futile", "chasing elk" is pretty much an "exercise in futility". I've been pretty lucky in being able to hunt the same damn elk in the same damn places for years, & I've killed a lot of those elk in a very small area. Elk actually tend to act like whitetails, just on a much larger scale. They have a preferred range, bedding areas, feeding areas, routes between them. If you have the luxury of time you get to know their habits & put yourself somewhere where you can intercept them. Otherwise, you get out the map, & plan ahead as best that you can to be where the elk are when they get there...

 

[Kodiak]

Yes sir,

thats why its called hunting, and just when you're ready to call it a day, there he stands, well within range of your favorite rifle and load!

Don't give up,

 

[SJB358]

Jake
My theory is that the longer I stay in the field the better chances are that an elk and myself will occupy the same space. That's your chance.
Are you hunting very flat ground? Is there an opportunity to come in from another way? I have always thought that the elk I see in the AM, are the elk that I will be on just before dark. Stay out of the openings, get elevation, stay in the shadows, glass more, keep the faith, elk hunting isn't for wussies.

Without a doubt Jake, the old man nailed it, the odds are if your seeing elk, you just gotta sort out how to get on top of them. Use that glass, arrange yourself to get on them when they pop in the AM or PM. Good luck buddy, I think you've got the tools, just time to close the distance!

 

[sask boy]

Jake as the other guys are saying if you keep putting in the time it will all come together!
Looking forward to a good report and photos as well :wink:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[nvbroncrider]

Jake
My theory is that the longer I stay in the field the better chances are that an elk and myself will occupy the same space. That's your chance.
Are you hunting very flat ground? Is there an opportunity to come in from another way? I have always thought that the elk I see in the AM, are the elk that I will be on just before dark. Stay out of the openings, get elevation, stay in the shadows, glass more, keep the faith, elk hunting isn't for wussies.

Without a doubt Jake, the old man nailed it, the odds are if your seeing elk, you just gotta sort out how to get on top of them. Use that glass, arrange yourself to get on them when they pop in the AM or PM. Good luck buddy, I think you've got the tools, just time to close the distance!

Thanks guys for all the comments. Made a post to sum it up and some pictures.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26466&p=267491#p267491

Bill,

No doubt it's not for wussies!!! I'm trying to get above them but its kinda like Normandie kinda hard to have the high ground when they got it! No easy way up either best bet would be take a bed roll and tent up to one of those peaks and stay for a week. But I got too many responsibilities to do that.