Elk hunting from treestands??

[Mr.Redneck]

I have read a couple of articles where guys have talked about elk hunting from treestands. I'd assume you'd have to find them first for a treestand to be even remotely effective. Has anyone hunted from a treestand for elk?? And if so, is there any advice you can give me?? I have heard that they can be quite effective during mid-day as the elk tend to bed and move slightly in the shaded areas on the northfacing slopes. Any truth to this??

 

[COHunter]

My advise is dont fall out

 

[Mr.Redneck]

Funny!!! Actually if you look at the CDNR website one of the hunting accident fatalities was an Ohio Archer who fell out of his treestand and bludgeoned himself on his arrow and bled to death!!! Scary though, maybe I'll leave the treestand at home?? Real advice wiseguy!!!!

 

[dirtpoor]

I hunted out of a treestand for deer for more than 25 yrs, so I decieded to bring my stand elk hunting just in case. I've brought it for 4 season's and have yet to use it, couple of reason's, with just a 5 or 7 day season it's hard to stay in one place and hope something comes by , plus I hunt 3rd or 4th season and the elk are usually on the move migrating and it's easier to spot and stalk. If I were going to hunt during the early season when it is hot I probably would set up near a wallow.

 

[dirtpoor]

Actually when I was a master instructor in the NYS bowhunter education program most bow injuries and most fatalitie's were either treestand related or self inflicted arrow wound's. Walking with an arrow in the bow and spearing yourself in the leg was the most common.

 

[eddiehsf]

In UTAH we would Spot and stock the AM, and hunt out of treestands in the PM.

Doug and I found a Elk Wallow that some nice buks were using as a water hole.

We had several Bulls come in during the week, and could killed a few, We did get our bucks

So in a nut shell they will work in their put in the right place.

good luck


eddiehsf

 

[Mr.Redneck]

Thanks Eddie,
The more positive sounding possibilities I hear about stand-hunting for them, the better the prospects go. I particularly like scouting and placing stands and hunting, for the safety of not being busted moving. Though I've also heard that elk don't have the keen eyes that whitetail to, I still would also like to use every available minute of hunting time to ensure a possibility of a kill. I just hope 8 days is enough.

 

[azbiggame]

When the "RUT",isn't on,have used Ground and Tree blinds with sucess in Az and most recently in Nevada.Prefer the Tree Blind because of better Scent control."Can Fool Their Eyes, But Not THE NOSE"

.Good Luck ---

 

[wmidbrook]

You ought to email JHO user Rimrock. He hangs out in the varmit/campfire. He used to hunt Oregon elk every year mostly, if not all of it, from tree stands with a lot of success too. A few hunters I've talked to from the Yahi Bowmen club like treestands for elk too.

I just haven't asked a whole lot of questions about it. I got into archery elk hunting because I like to call game....this could be done from a treestand too I suppose but I just haven't considered it yet....dang, maybe I should tho.

 

[Shane]

Hey Doug,
A buddy and I shot bulls out of tree stands in AZ back in the early 90's. I set mine up over a remote and active water tank and my pard set his up on a trail I watched elk come to the waterhole from. The trails tend to offer the best shooting opportunities with archery equipment.

I would suggest setting up off of trails between bedding and feeding areas. Main reasons are that 1) they often come to water very late in the afternoon and maybe too late for a shot. 2) they are very alert when approaching water or other destination areas like wallows and such.

If you have a cow tag, both methods are pretty effective. Bulls are generally in the back of the herd and being off of a transition trail will allow the cows to pass with little or no suspicion so the bull will feel confident to pass your stand location.

One crazy thing I've witnessed is that it may be difficult to gain the trust of an old wise lead cow if she suspects there is something out of place in that tree next to the water tank. But, once she has given the okay to the rest of the herd that all is okay, I could quite literally move around in the stand and make noise and get almost no response from them. Just me goofing around to see what it would take to get them excited...

One sitting at a water tank I had a cow walk up to the base of the tree I was in to sniff the foot pegs. I was only 15 feet in the tree and she was glaring at me with her head turned up at me and sniffing. She played this game for at least 5 minutes. Then turned, walked about 15 yards back to where she came from and gave a sharp mew call up the hill and down came 25 head of cows and young bulls. They played, drank, chased and tried drowning each other for a good 30 minutes. I learned quite a bit that evening and feel blessed to have gotten to watch that.

This year I'm going to use the ground blind as a more mobile and quick setup technique. The late season up here usually finds snow on the ground and it's a bit easier to know which trails are hot.

Tree stands and blinds certainly have there benefits in the right situation. Being able to identify those situations is the challenge we face. But man! when it works out, it can really be cool.

~ Best

 

[Mr.Redneck]

Shane,
Thanks for the info, pretty much has sealed the deal, I am taking my 18# climber and a set of pruners and folding saw with me. More for midday than anything, but that may change once I get there.

 

[Shane]

Regarding your point about having to find the elk for tree standing to be effective, I would just add, that tree stands are also a good choice because elk act so much like cattle and pattern pretty well when not pressured too much.

Those trails get big and worne for a reason. If you can slip in and intercept a trail with a stand or blind, it can pay off off regularly. One of the reasons still hunting and hiding in the shadows next to these trails doesn't work more often is your scent. Elk can be goofy and predictable at times, but their nose works at 100% all the time. I've set up countless times, while still hunting, next to good trails, wallows, tanks, beds, etc. just be given away by a soft swirling breeze or an old cow that just new that leafy clump wasn't in her living room when she left that morning.

So, even when you decide which side of the trail to place your stand and your approach to the stand, consider the wind direction. Just having the stand 20' in the tree isn't enough on some days with some elk. You might also try a little misting spray bottle with your favorite cover scent and water mixture - for when you get in the tree, you can spray around you from time to time.

Best of luck, wear a safty harness and let us know how it pans out for you.

 

[Mr.Redneck]

Oh, trust me if it works out well, I will be posting plenty of pic's with stories to go along. I am just itching to get out there!!! I think I can be successful, as I have stalked whitetail quite well over the years, and being my first time elk hunting, a 4x4 or cow will make me happy as heck. Maybe on another hunt, I can focus on a big bull, not that I won't stick one if it gets near, but I will play the brown is down rule when out there. Less calves, but I may even shoot one of them on my last day. I hear they are like veal!!!

 

[Lv2hnt]

Something else to consider --- a turkey decoy sitting by a water hole or wallow you've got a tree stand over can be a deadly confidence ally ...

Lv2hnt

 

[Mr.Redneck]

Originally posted by Lv2hnt@May 4 2005, 08:03 AM
Something else to consider --- a turkey decoy sitting by a water hole or wallow you've got a tree stand over can be a deadly confidence ally ...

Lv2hnt

Wow, I'd have never ever, ever thought of that, but it's one heck of a good idea. I think I can see a couple turkey decoys heading to Colorado with me. Is that your own idea, or did you get that somewhere else??? If its yours, you're damn near brilliant!!!

 

[wello]

Redneck, Was just watching some elk hunting in New Mexico and there are Turkey in same area for guided hunts so go figure.... I know this about blacktail here in cali... Just when you are itching to shoot a grey squirrel due to not seeing any deer all day that is when it is bound to be your best chance of seeing a deer. They like same areas, due to feed, cover, and solitude. They build confidence in each others presence from such if not from their warning calls....
When is your trip?..

 

[Rimrock]

I bowhunted in Oregon for both deer and elk for something like fifteen years. The season ran from late August to late Sept. It was usually dry and hot. Stalking on foot (with my number 13's) was sometimes a lesson if futility. Sure, it was sometimes effective but after the first year I and my partner always had two tree stands each. There was just no comparison for the areas we hunted.

We never did find that wallows were that productive. We usually spent three weeks in the woods. The first week was usually spent trying to pattern the movement of the animals. Then we would set up near approaching trails. As has been stated, those trails are used repeatedly if the elk are not disturbed. The advantage of two stands is that you have an alternate plan if the wind is not in your favor. Plus, one designed for morning and another for afternoon. You will find that the sun in your face is a disadvantage. Consider both the wind and the sun.

Stand height was usually 15 to 18 feet. I have had both deer and elk (hunters too. I could tell a couple of funny stories) right under me. That is exciting. There is no way that would happen if you were on the ground. Scent dispersion from even that height seems to work.

Make your stand as comfortable as possible. It will make it much easier to spend the hours.

Good luck. Happy hunting.

Oh, yeah. TAKE A GOOD SAFETY BELT OR HARNESS AND USE IT.

 

[Kodak]

I definately second the safety harness comment!! We owe it to our loved ones to be smart and safe.

Of the 11 elk I've taken- 5 were from treestands. Find the right spot, blend in , be patient. Realize too that elk are not daily route critters- they will come back to an active water hole/ wallow but it may be several days in between visits.

Also, a wet fall sure spreads the water sources around. Have a back up plan.

Admin mode

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[Kodak]

I took 3 elk in 4 years from the above tree in NE OR. Just one from this much greener one in central WA. Watching the critters and birds keeps me occupied during the hours of waiting, but as mentioned- get comfortable.

 

['Ike']

I've shot two (2) out of treestands, one over water and the other over a wallow.........We did as mentioned above, chase 'em in the morning and then hit the stands during mid-day as not to kick them out of their beds....Bulls can move anytime!