DIY Gear – Top 3

As a bivy style hunter I spend several nights on the mountain every year. Hunting this style takes lots of patience and a drive to go farther and deeper than any other willing person. Over the years I have found 3 items that have made life on the mountain and going the extra mile possible. [...]

Shed Antler Tactics

Itching to Get Out?
Ooh here we go! This is one of my favorite times of the year. The snow is steadily melting, the streams are rising, hillsides are getting greener everyday and as you read this a fresh brown elk shed is probably hitting the ground. There are several reasons to get out and [...]

Apply Now for an Out-of-State Elk Hunt

Yeah, I know. It’s tough to give up the old trusty hunting spot and try something new. On the other hand, a change in scenery is sometimes just what we need. It can make us either appreciate our hunting area even more or get you out of that rut you didn’t really know you were [...]

2010 DIY Back Country Elk

I began preparing for this hunt a couple of days in advance, but this time it was going to be a little different.  My wife, Meagon, was going along for the first time in I don’t know how many years.  This would be her first time tagging along on a backcountry elk hunt.  Since we would [...]

Think Like a Backpacker

A bivy hunt is really no different than going on a backpacking trip.  The main difference is that you are now carrying with you the means to harvest, work up, and pack out an animal.  Whether you are going on a summer backpacking trip or a bivy style hunt in the fall you still rely on [...]

Keep It Simple

Keep it simple
I am probably the most accident prone person I know.  Anything that can happen will happen.  My motto is to “keep it simple”.  The more gear and gadgets you rely on the better the chance that something will go wrong.
Most of us spend more time preparing ourselves for hunting season than we actually [...]

Being in Elk Country Shape is a Year-long Commitment

As we get older it is more difficult to stay in shape, which is why it is so important to get in a routine and stick with it.  Staying in tip-top shape is a year round commitment!  It is easier to get in the routine and stay on it at all times, rather than trying [...]

Two Days – Two Bulls

Fighting soreness from the previous day’s brutal hike with my father, I reluctantly rolled out of my cot and shut off the alarm.  It was 3:00 A.M. and we had a few hours of hiking to get to our desired hunting location.  After a protein bar and a bottle of water for breakfast, my father and I [...]

No Calling Partner?

No doubt the best strategy of calling elk involves 2 people.  One shooter and a caller positioned strategically behind the shooter attempting to call the elk upwind of the shooter.  This method fools the elk to focus beyond the shooter.  It is an ambush method used by most hunters today.  This double team method is [...]

Dreaming of a Future Elk Hunt? Start Now

Dreaming of a Future High Quality Elk Hunt? 
Even if you don’t have the time or money for a limited entry or special Elk permit at this time, you can still set yourself up for a future dream hunt.  You can do this by participating in the bonus/preference point system that many states have to [...]

“Never Again” – Idaho Archery Elk Hunt

“Never again”. These were the words running through my head after 17 hours of hiking - and we still had a minimum of 2 hours to the truck.  I guess you could say I am a very slow learner since I can remember at least once a year for the past six years saying that very [...]