Rookie Mistakes we made this year.

[cohunter]

Olympushunt mentioned he'd like to hear rookie mistakes... We all make them no matter how long we've hunted (I hope others do, anyway ) Let's keep these short and rapid fire. I'll start.

1. Not having my bow at the ready
2. Not paying attention to my surroundings
3. Not expecting to see an elk at any moment

I MAY have been dozing a bit, but when that 5 point suddenly materialized directly beside me at 15 yards after approaching totally undetected from almost straight downwind while my bow sat beside me and zero cover between us... well, lets just say this one could have gone better.

4. I don't know if this counts as a mistake per se but a coughing fit in the middle of a calling sequence with not one, not two, but three bulls rapidly approaching didn't end up well either. The previously unseen bull approaching from downwind blowing out of there didn't help either.

I'm not going to lie - having gotten within 50 yards of 4 different legal bulls and never even having an opportunity to prepare for a shot stings a little bit =)

[Steve G]

Passing on an easy shot because you were thinking shooting time ended at sunset when you actually still have 30 minutes.

[Roosiebull]

haha, I was just thinking this feels like my rookie year again. I have had so many things go wrong this year that I don't know which are mistakes, and which are fate

going after elk with swirling wind
trying to locate a bull with a bugle when the general direction of tracks is down wind
getting too close too quick
thinking I know how this is going to play out

the silver lining is these are only problems if you are finding elk....the tides are gonna turn soon

[cohunter]

Passing on an easy shot because you were thinking shooting time ended at sunset when you actually still have 30 minutes.

Ouch! That IS rough.

[Elkhunttoo]

not hunting a good spot because it takes twenty more minutes to drive to it.

Being impatient!!!! Gets me every year. We have to work on a time line, we need elk to step into shooting range during legal shooting hours. Elk don't care about shooting hours, they have all night too.. it seems like every year I always forget how patient they are and there attention to detail. Sure, sometimes they come crashing in, but lots of times they watch every step

[Tigger]

None. I haven't made a single elk hunting mistake this year.






Yet. We leave in 2 weeks for our hunt!

[Fridaythe13th]

I have the best one. DO NOT WAIT till your 32. I missed a lot of good years. Lol

[lamrith]

I have the best one. DO NOT WAIT till your 32. I missed a lot of good years. Lol

32? HAH your still a pup! Don't wait until you are 45 and already way out of shape from 10+ years at a desk job.

[Steve G]

I have the best one. DO NOT WAIT till your 32. I missed a lot of good years. Lol

32? HAH your still a pup! Don't wait until you are 45 and already way out of shape from 10+ years at a desk job.

Rookie mistake.. Assuming your too old or too out of shape to get into elk shape.

[Roosiebull]

a fresh one....not checking your shooting lane good enough before shooting..ugh

[Tigger]

ruh-roh Roosie.....this one is painful I am betting.

Okay. Let us have it. What are the details?

[Roosiebull]

all of the details in the "hunting updates" thread, actually not painful at all, I missed clean and still have a tag in pocket

more humbling than painful, if I would have passed the shot, I would have said "i passed a top pin chip shot on a small bull" goes to show, even when it seems too easy, you can get smacked back to humble land. I appreciated the opportunity, and there will be another that I do better on.

had it been the big bull I saw, it would have stung a bit

[lamrith]

I have the best one. DO NOT WAIT till your 32. I missed a lot of good years. Lol

32? HAH your still a pup! Don't wait until you are 45 and already way out of shape from 10+ years at a desk job.

Rookie mistake.. Assuming your too old or too out of shape to get into elk shape.

Just takes longer and hurts a little more.

[olympushunt]

Good thread Cohunter!
My mistakes this year were more preparation related. I didn't take enough water with me as it was the hottest opener I can ever remember. That can have a big impact on how well things go. The dumb thing is I thought I learned that lesson in 2013. Guess not! Don't ya wish you only made certain mistakes once? DOH!

[BrentLaBere]

I ended up hunting questionable winds when I know I shouldn't have.....Ill learn some day.
Not closing the distance quicker on a bull we were working.
Slow down. Hunting partner caught a glimpse of a shadow moving in a small opening when we were walking through the timber. We were able to sneak in on the small group and almost get a shot opportunity. Fast forward to later that day and I was cruising along, stomping with brick feet and bumped a herd. And again the next day! I tend to get lazy as the hunt goes on it seems or at least until I re learn this lesson every year. Slow down in the elk woods and you will have closer encounters.

[saddlesore]

I'm heading out for season opener Saturday.Expect I will have 10-12 mistakes to post after the 19th

[Conrad8899]

I learned not to stand in the middle of a major trail. Cow came in first really fast.. With in just yards and spooked.. And took the following bull with her.. Take the first good shoot U get... U never know when the wind will swirl... If it wasn't for these mistakes.. I could of killed a bull Saturday or Sunday....

[Lefty]

Use your range finder

Can I cry now
I had the perfect broadside on Saturday on a large 5x5 . I figured 45-50 yards so I over compensated and used my 55 yard pin

[Roosiebull]

Lack of patients...that usually gets me a couple times per year.

[Rock Stick or Fish]

Too much patience... need to get the bow drawn when the opportunities are there.