TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FALL HUNT
An experienced elk hunter will tell you that harvesting an animal, especially with archery equipment, seems to be an impossible task. It can be done though and here are a few tips to help balance the scale in your favour.
To target elk in the province of Manitoba, you must first apply for a license in the Manitoba Big Game Draw. Each year that you are not drawn will advance you up the ladder with a lower priority number giving you improved odds with draws in future years. The deadline to apply for the Manitoba Big Game Draw falls in May. So, if you wish to hunt elk in Manitoba, you will need to decide well in advance which area you’d like to hunt and what type of hunt you would prefer.
Manitoba is divided into many Game Hunting Areas with different types of draws for different styles of hunting. Tags differ by regions and season dates so it’s best to do some research before you apply. All the information needed can be found at manitobaelicensing.ca.
HAVE THE RIGHT GEAR
When gearing up for your hunt, waterproof footwear is a must. You are bound to find wet terrain this time of year so opt for a good form fitting rubber boot or waterproof hikers and combine with quality socks. If buying a new pair of footwear specifically for this hunt, wear them around the house. Next, take them out for a dry run through similar terrain and make sure the boots are functioning as they should. Your feet are one of your most important tools on a hunt and you must keep them happy.
DRESS IN LAYERS
This is some of the most heard and sound advice when it comes to almost any outdoor activity. A cooling base layer, a sweatshirt or fleece, and a waterproof outer shell can help you to stay cool, warm, and dry no matter what the late summer day throws at you. Consider purchasing merino wool base layer and socks, which will maintain insulating properties even when wet.
A MANAGABLE HUNT
Ensure your pack is manageable. Invest in a good day hunting backpack. It doesn’t have to be a large hunting style pack, but whatever you choose, make sure the pack has supporting properties, zippered pockets, and enough room and space to carry discarded clothing layers throughout the day. If you are planning to film your hunt or stay out for long periods of time, opt for a larger pack to carry that camera equipment, food, water, and even a shelter.
OUT EARLY
With your day starting hours before legal shooting light, do not let that first silence shattering bugle out until ethical hunting light. A bull might be within yards of your location so jumping the gun will only diminish your odds of connecting with your animal.
I will normally let out a long high-pitched bugle using a bugle tube to try and locate a nearby bull. If I get a response, I let the bull take control of the conversation and mimic his calls as I sneak in closer before I get too aggressive.
By this I mean showing my presence in the area by smashing trees with logs and calling with “chuckles”. Move swiftly to get within a few hundred meters even if it means making noise while in route. Elk are one animal that bust up downed limbs when traveling through the woods so being noisy is normal.
Once within the last 100-150 metres you must quickly decide what path you feel the bull will take on his final approach and position yourself and your calling partner accordingly. You should have already chosen who will be the shooter and who will be the caller. This doesn’t mean the caller shouldn’t carry their weapon as nothing in nature is scripted.
CLEAR PATH SHOT
As the shooter, look for vegetation to break up your silhouette and stay somewhat down wind of where you think the animal will appear. If hunting with archery equipment, hide in plane sight. Needing a clear flightpath for your arrow and enough room for your bow not to strike obstructions, tuck yourself in front of a tree or stump instead of behind it. Have your bow up and ready to draw and quickly pre range some surrounding terrain. The caller should situate themselves 60 plus yards away from the shooter to help draw the animal passed the hunter siting in ambush.
During the mating season, a bull elk will gather cows and their young to form a harem in hopes of eventually breeding. This bull elk is referred to as the heard bull and will protect this harem from other bull elk within the area that may be trying to sneak in and breed one or more of his cows. These bulls are referred to as satellite bulls. This instinctual method of protection is the main reason we (as hunters) can challenge a bull with aggressive calling.
CHANGE IN TACTICS
If you’ve failed in getting a bull to respond to “the bugle” don’t lose faith. Try walking slowly through the woods letting out soft mews about every 100 yards of distance traveled. This can be highly effective as this is exactly what cow elk are doing at this time of year in the hopes of finding a mate. If you do try this, stay on your toes! Sometimes a heard of elk will let you walk right into the harem thinking you are in fact an elk yourself.
Over time and with experience, you will learn the when, why’s and how’s of calling and you will expand your arsenal of calling techniques.
In reality, and more times than not, you will look at your partner and say, “I don’t get it?! I was doing exactly what should have worked! The wind is perfect! What happened?” Welcome to calling! My best advice is trying again and practice!
We’ve all dreamt of the day where you go out on a crisp frosty morning in the mountains to experience the elk rut in all its glory like we’ve seen on television. In reality, you will find that more times than not, the animals are nocturnal, or unresponsive to your calls or both.
PLAN B
Take most of what you’ve just read and throw it out the window. Grab your tree stand, find a well packed elk trail, and hunt them the same way that you would deer. It definitely isn’t the way you imagined in your head but it is a very successful approach that can put some meat into your freezer.
Good luck, study the hunting guide and go play outside!