HUNT EVERYTHING
I slam into the thick web of branches. I’m soaked past my knees with muddy water and have begun to sweat in the evening air. Frustration builds as I am still two miles from camp, and those miles include dense deadfall and a marsh of alders that feels impenetrable. Continue reading “24 Days of Hunting Colorado OTC Archery Elk”
Understanding the draw process for each state can feel overwhelming. Many hunters give up and simply decide to hunt over-the-counter (OTC). But, even then it can be challenging to determine which state to hunt and which unit to commit to. This blog provides the best resources for people wanting to learn more about the process as well as a few mistakes to avoid as a beginner. Continue reading “Resources for Understanding the Draw Process and Locating Good OTC Units”
“Make it like home, or you’ll want to go home.” It’s the saying we live by in elk camp. If there are too many factors wearing you down, eventually you will quit hunting and return home. While some hunters may want to “rough it,” we believe life is hard enough. This blog lists the factors that, if controlled, will allow you to hunt all season, but, if neglected, will derail your trip. Continue reading “Keys to Longevity in Hunting Camp”
This past season I didn’t hear a bull bugle until the 16th of September. On that day two bulls responded, but I botched both opportunities. In one case I setup too slowly and in the other I proceeded too quickly. While every hunt is unique, there are a few variables that you should keep in mind whenever you get a response. The following blog explains why the approaches I chose failed to produce a shot and what would have been a better option. Continue reading “Mistakes to Avoid When Calling Elk”
With elk season coming to an end we felt it was a good time to release our official elk camp playlist. In reading this blog we ask that you please do not judge our choices until you spend a month at 10,000 feet gasping for oxygen. Because, with what little air you have remaining, you’re probably going to want to sing 90’s female country. Continue reading “The Official Elk Camp Playlist: Special thanks to Jo Dee Messina and Shania”
With one week until elk hunting season opens up many hunters are cramming information into their heads for the season. Searching through youtube videos, blogs, books, podcasts, and your grandma’s friends for information. This approach can be tiring and cost your grandma some friends. So I thought I would share the five bases you should cover before the season starts and the best sources of information on elk hunting I have found. You need to know:
Continue reading “Cramming for the Test: A Five Step Approach to Studying for Elk Season”
Elk are America’s number one big game animal. For many it’s a dream to hunt them. However, for most it stays just that, a dream. The process of organizing a trip and deciding where to go intimidates many hunters to the point that they either give up or spend thousands of dollars hiring a guide service. At Iowa Slam we choose not to hire guides and instead pursue hunts that allow us to save money year in and year out. The process of harvesting an elk starts long before September. The first step is often the toughest and for elk hunting the first step is choosing a state. Continue reading “Choosing a State to Hunt Elk”
I spent the last week in Idaho scouting a unit I plan to hunt this fall. The trip was a success. Not only did I find a good number of rubs, I also received advice from locals on September conditions and jumped multiple herds of cows. I will have another blog out within a week describing how I selected the unit and specific areas. For now, here are three things you need to get right to have an effective scouting trip. Continue reading “3 Keys to Scouting Elk”
A couple of years ago I went out to stalk deer with an experienced hunter. It was early summer in New Zealand, and we were in the southern region of the South Island hunting the Waikaia Reserve. The sun was setting at around 9pm. The reserve is beech forest bordered by grass. The fresh spring growth was drawing deer out at dawn and dusk. For the remainder of the day the deer would bed down in the beech. Our plan was to camp in the beech and stalk the edge of the grass in the evening. Continue reading “Lessons from New Zealand: Stalking Deer and Elk”
