Decoys for Elk

The sage crackled and released its pungent scent with each step through the low-lying shrubs. An occasional bugle drifted toward us through the blackness which taxed our senses even more. As the morning darkness gave way to the sliver of light growing in the east, our trio quickened its pace toward our quarry.
It was early [...]

Does Gear Create Success?

First off, let me start out by getting something out in the open right away – I’m a gear junky and am surely not a fan of junky gear. In my early years of hunting, I had no idea of the importance of quality gear and have formed my beliefs after years of mishaps that [...]

Elk101.com – July Newsletter

I can’t believe how quickly elk season is sneaking up on us this year! It seems like most years it can’t get here fast enough…now I’m wishing I could insert an extra week in somewhere. OK, not really…if it came tomorrow I’d be excited and ready! It’s going to be a GREAT fall, and from [...]

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. [...]

Gear Failure

If you hunt or spend any amount of time in the mountains chasing wapiti a gear and/or equipment failure is inevitable. I know some of you will find a few of my gear failures humorous and many of you will probably be able to relate to a couple of them.
My hope is that you will [...]

How Are You Preparing?

By now, we all know what elk tags we have drawn for this fall and are busy making plans. Maybe you drew a tag for your favorite area or maybe a unit in another state that you’ve never hunted before. Even if you have a tag for your favorite unit, don’t be complacent about getting [...]

Calling All Elk

Elk, in my opinion, are the most special and unique animal in all of the creation. There is nothing more majestic and primal than a big bull worked up, bugling and posturing. That is, without a doubt, why I love elk hunting and more importantly, calling elk.
Learning to call elk opens up a whole new [...]

“My Elk Rifle”

 
Traditions
“My elk rifle” – This phrase is undoubtedly the beginning of many debates. Most hunters hold their trusty rifles in very high regard, even above ones wife…….All kidding aside, I can say we all have a great pride and respect of our own firearm and its ability to function during crunch time. Some of [...]

New Elk Calls!

It’s almost here…elk season starts in less than 2 weeks! Elk calls play a major part in our elk season and I can’t wait to hear the bulls start firing off! I’ve been a huge proponent of the “palate plate” diaphragm calls since they came out back in the early 90′s. They’re easy to use, [...]

Bivy Hunting for Elk

Looking back at the earlier years of my bowhunting adventures I remember it being so simple. My bivy hunts consisted of bow and arrows, reeds and grunt tube, knife, flashlight, canteen, game bags, one Albertsons bag including three cans of chili and six snickers, a $20.00 sleeping bag, a 6×6 tarp, and four bungee straps [...]

Contour HD Hat-Mounted Video Camera

Never Miss that Once-in-a-Lifetime Footage Again!
Video footage shot from a hat-mounted Contour HD video camera!

Fitting in the palm of your hand and weighing a mere 4.3 ounces, ContourHD is the smallest and lightest HD Wearable Camcorder in the world! Its anodized aluminum body withstands dust, dirt, mud, rain, and snow. It’s also shock, vibration and [...]

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 [...]

Optifade Open Country vs. Optifade Forest

With the creation of Gore’s new Optifade Forest pattern, we need to answer a very important question…which pattern do we need? Because Optifade camo was developed using science, and not consumer appeal, it’s not just a matter of which pattern looks best on the rack, but which pattern is designed to work best in the [...]

Dirk’s day pack

My day pack consists of many of the same items that most hunters carry.  Some are more crucial than others and I will try and highlight them.

I’ve used the Black’s Creek “Hunter” Pack for the past couple years, but this year I’ll be using the Sitka Ascent 14 pack.
 MUST HAVE ITEMS
- 2 KNIVES AND A [...]

Gear Selection

Gear is something that will make or break most any hunting situations.  A long time ago, I took the stance that I would do whatever possible to ensure my gear would never cost me an animal or a chance at harvesting one.  I’m not going to go into specific pieces of gear because that would [...]

Next Page »