LAST EDITED ON Sep-30-10 AT 03:59PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Sep-30-10 AT 03:50?PM (MST)
That knowing your hunting ground and the habits of the elk that inhabit that ground is far more important than any other aspect of the hunt next to shooting skill.
I hunt an area that is not known for its elk at all. It is managed purely for Muleys and further more, I hunt a part of the unit which is especially poor on elk numbers.
Be this as it may, I cannot peel myself away from this area. I have hunted it so long and am so familiar with the country and the elks habits that i always find myself with game to pursue.
That being said, I am not successful every year. i have made poor shots, poor decisions, and have come into general bad luck. i have about a 33% success rate as a bowhunter but... rising.
The one single fact that I attribute to the bulk of the limited success I have is an intimate knowledge of the game I hunt and the ground I hunt them in.
I have recently relocated to another state and find myself struggling as an elk hunter. I have gotten into some game and had a few opportunities but of course, none like those I have in my hallowed ground.
In order to attain the success I have "back home" I am going to have to say goodbye to my hallowed ground there and build that here.
I do not have the time to achieve this intimacy with two different areas in two different states. It is decision time. My heart is heavy but my spirit is invigorated. I am excited for this new quest at 40 years old. I am simply starting a new chapter. Hopefully the teachings of the past will help me achieve success sooner. I guess some call it wisdom.
If any of you have bothered reading this to the end, I live in Fort Collins Colorado and would love to have a hunting partner who shares the same passion for elk and the hunt as I do and may have found themselves "starting over" as I have.
That knowing your hunting ground and the habits of the elk that inhabit that ground is far more important than any other aspect of the hunt next to shooting skill.
I hunt an area that is not known for its elk at all. It is managed purely for Muleys and further more, I hunt a part of the unit which is especially poor on elk numbers.
Be this as it may, I cannot peel myself away from this area. I have hunted it so long and am so familiar with the country and the elks habits that i always find myself with game to pursue.
That being said, I am not successful every year. i have made poor shots, poor decisions, and have come into general bad luck. i have about a 33% success rate as a bowhunter but... rising.
The one single fact that I attribute to the bulk of the limited success I have is an intimate knowledge of the game I hunt and the ground I hunt them in.
I have recently relocated to another state and find myself struggling as an elk hunter. I have gotten into some game and had a few opportunities but of course, none like those I have in my hallowed ground.
In order to attain the success I have "back home" I am going to have to say goodbye to my hallowed ground there and build that here.
I do not have the time to achieve this intimacy with two different areas in two different states. It is decision time. My heart is heavy but my spirit is invigorated. I am excited for this new quest at 40 years old. I am simply starting a new chapter. Hopefully the teachings of the past will help me achieve success sooner. I guess some call it wisdom.
If any of you have bothered reading this to the end, I live in Fort Collins Colorado and would love to have a hunting partner who shares the same passion for elk and the hunt as I do and may have found themselves "starting over" as I have.
