Friday, September 3, 2010

Think Like a Backpacker

by Mark Cochran  
August 4, 2010

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

by Mark Cochran  
June 27, 2010

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

by Mark Cochran  
June 4, 2010

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

by Mark Cochran  
April 2, 2010

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?

by Mark Cochran  
February 28, 2010

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

by Mark Cochran  
January 29, 2010

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

by Mark Cochran  
January 6, 2010

“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 [...]