Debriefing a 7-Day Colorado Elk Hunt (First-Time DIY Hunter) - Cliff and Eric Wilson
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- Опубликовано: 30 сен 2024
- Eric Wilson and I discuss his first seven days ever hunting elk in Colorado on public land. We cover it all - the physical, tactical and psychological challenges.
This interview ties together so many of the videos on the channel. Phenomenal opportunity to listen and pick up where Eric left off on your own hunts.
Checkout Eric on his podcast: / @donotgoquietlypodcast
Eric’s Instagram: @ericwilsoncoaching
#elk #archeryelk #coloradohunting #muledeer #pursuitwithcliff
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He mentioned doing it 25 years ago. I’m from SC and went to Montana solo mule deer hunting as a 21 year old kid. Looking back now I’d chose those simple pre cell phone, social media, constantly connected days all over again. Now my mindset that I’d be crazy to go with no phone or enreach. We have slowly been softened.
For me, my phone and in reach is ONLY for emergencys (or HUNT ON x). -- I was a teenager when Corey Fay got lost AND DIED 9 miles in.... That taught me a valuable lesson.
No one went out new places nearly as often as now due to onx and Inreach. These tools open the door to explore safely.
Cliff you are a huge help man. It’s my 6th year. Hunting Elk Archery on public land I just came back from a hunt and heading back out there again. I called in a big 6x6 bull for my cousin and he made a good shot and we recovered him. It’s tuff it’s my 3rd week out there I got a couple days left . And I’m not giving up. Still need to fill my tag. Super Pressure public land is hard I don’t care who you are.
The cons of being clueless 15 years ago and trying to figure it out yourselves was also reasonably countered by the lower number of hunters and the fact that most of them were also clueless. They weren't all trying to mimic the youtube hunters and inadvertently pushing elk into harder-to-hunt areas (or over to private) in every unit.
Good point. Also - hunting is intuitive for some people so even without all the RUclips help intuitive midwestern hunters could still figure it out. Nowadays you’re dealing with people more than you’re hunting animals
Fantastic content, Cliff. This episode hits close to home since I'm currently driving back from Colorado after a week elk hunt on public land. We also experienced what Eric did with zero vocalizations throughout the area except after dark. None of the hunters we met along the way had harvested an elk and some had been out there for close to 2 weeks. It was frustrating to see tons of sign but never be able to pinpoint where exactly they were at any given time. Would love to see more troubleshooting of hunts from regular guys in the future. Headed over to your website to subscribe and hopefully gain some more insight from you and others in the forum. Thanks for what you do.
This is an excellent discussion of the reality for new elk hunters and some important considerations. Good stuff.
Thanks!
Great episode! Congrats Eric on overcoming real physical challenges and learning everything you could to have a successful first Elk hunt. Props to your wife too for setting you straight, lol. Your next trip will be an even better experience. I’m 57 and getting ready to go out west on my first hunt. It is intimidating and overwhelming! This podcast was an inspiration.
Glad to hear it was helpful! Good luck 👍
Great pod and spot on! Can’t stress the importance of positivity. Doubts come before and after the shot on a critter with an unbelievable will to live after a fatal hit. Never let that victory bottle turn into a sorrow bottle.
Thanks!
My wife's grandpa used to guide in CO on the western slope on public land back in the 80s and early 90s. He built stands out in the woods and would place his hunters in them via horseback every morning and tell them to sit there. Then he'd do a drive toward them. Seemed to work for him. I think stand hunting is a nice idea if you know a spot really well and don't mind packing it in. Personally, I like to move around out west and do my stand hunting back east each Thanksgiving. But ask me again in 30 years.
For sure! All sorts of hunt styles work
Wasnt in unit 85 was you lol it sure was dead also
I would love to know who you went to with your back problems. I’m suffering with sciatica nerve issues & knee problems. It really knocks the wind out of your sails when you can’t do the things you used to.
Eric, I’ve had a similar situation. Spine surgeries, and other health challenges. I have a public land elk hunt in two weeks. Whether I get a bull or not, it’s all we can do is keep after it. First Mentally and then physically we succeed to the level we allow ourselves to. Great video!
Good luck man. Hope you harvest a great bull. Stay positive and get after it !
Sounds identical to my Unit 62 hunt, but maybe with more cattle.
just got back from a 7 day public land hunt in Colorado. I had an archery tag (either sex) and my friend had a muzzleloader bull tag. it was my 4th time elk hunting, but the first time I really put the full effort into the hunt. It was super tough, running up and down slopes, covered 65+ miles in 7 days. and we could not close the deal. had a couple of encounters, called to bulls and to a herd. my friend and I are in great shape, and it was absolutely exhausting. We called in 4 hunters for every elk, which was super frustrating when you spend hours chasing a call and the effort to find out it is just another hunter.. anyway, still had a ton of fun and learned alot. Hopefully next year we can close the deal!
👍👍👍
Hey Cliff, its interesting that you say you think you put a negative out look on elk hunting. In my opinion you keep it real. The elk woods can SUCK, there is so much romantic thoughts about elk hunting that for the most part are BS. Its hard 95% of the time. Especially when you dont hear or see anything. Keep it real. Thanks for the content.
Thanks man 👍
just an FYI, I listen to most or all of you videos and I have never thought you are being negative.. like Eric said, I think you are being honest and providing a reality check for those who may be a bit naive.
Thanks 🙏
Awesome video, per usual! I agree with your guest about your realistic presentation that some view as "negative". Hunting is a new interest for me, and I want 100% real, hard truths to help me progress in my journey. I appreciate you not sugarcoating anything.
Thanks!
love this episode! We have been hunting Colorado from out of state for about 5 seasons now and we had the best time this year with a very close call on a 6x6 that came running into us. Best encounter ever, but unfortunately he came in so fast we made a few mistakes and he hung up at 50 yards behind a tree just blocking vitals then turned and trotted off. We know what we could have done better so we learned from it, but boy it was so cool he was chuckling and the whole works! 50 yards would have been an easy shot for my husband if he just would have taken a few steps!
That’s awesome! Crazy when they come in like that. Makes it all worth it
Hey Cliff, if you ever want to make a video about hunting Elk on public land in the thick/steep North Idaho terrain, let a guy know! Haha. All your videos are great for refreshers on text book info, but the terrain of North Idaho makes for a whole other set of variables!
This is a good interview. But...he had a cameraman, so he wasn't really solo. I just got back from a real 1st timer 7 day DIY public land archery elk hunt...and saw no elk. Interview me. It won't last long but I could probably give good feedback about what NOT to do. I'm personally not convinced there are actually elk in Colorado, lol.
No guide- no tips - No partners if I can’t do it myself then I don’t want it. Also I was in Colorado opening week. The only day I didn’t hear any was opening day. After that they progressively got better each day.
My last trip to Idaho on the last day my brother called in a hunter, old guy in his 60's.....said "you boys sound real good, fooled this old hunter good"!
my dad called in an elk shot it but only punctured one lung. And followed the blood trial for about a mile and lost the blood trial and elk.
25 years ago It was less complicated and you were realistic about the expectations. Doing DIY you knew it would take 2-3 years to learn and be successful out of state. You got your info. through books, magazines, state departments, good guys, and learned to talk to people. It was better in a way because your ears weren't occupied with too much noise and information from others. You developed your style.
I hear ya
It's so funny listening to a bunch of wood -bees. lmfao.
Awesome episode Cliff!! Really enjoyed you just chat with a normal dude!
Thanks man!
Going on my first elk hunt as a DIY hunter. 4 weeks to go.
These debriefs with real hunters are incredibly valuable.
Cliff may I kindly request a video on how to get into hunting communities/circles, can't find people to hunt with and also don't want to pay a lot to outfitters so are there sites/apps or other methods to find these groups/communities? Thank you.
Rokslide forum is a good option. My membership group (there is free and paid options) is also growing.
@@CliffGray thanks will check them out.
Absolutely love this one man. Coming from a different perspective and completely relevant to what i just experienced for 10days here in Roosevelt county. High timber, low density, high water source areas. Like you mentioned, i got on topo maps and checked for springs, especially before the temps started dropping. North facing slopes that had a creek bed. Checked for sign and potential wallows. Got on 6 bulls that way and only two were vocal. Another tip i can offer is create routes on OnX that cover road systems that allow you to make large circles to be efficient and use them to road bugle at night. Trying to get some intel for a game plan in the morning is key where you can actually spend time hunting instead of scouting.
I just spent 8 days and 8 miles in on a Colorado wilderness backountry bowhunting elk hunt with a 17 and a 19yo first timers DIY!! Funny thing is they aren't even family!! I have been hunting this area for over 14yrs. and reluctant to share my "hotspot" but hindsight its not my ground its all of ours. I was fortunate to have 2 other guys in camp this week, one was a first timer also but came up to be camp boss and fish n hike all week as well be there for a packout! The other guy was on his 2nd elk hunt ever with last year his first with me also. As the seasoned old man (64yo) I felt enormous pressure to make their hunts memorable and in the end I believe I succeeded!! I ended up tagging a 285+ bull and we all "teamed" up to clean and pack it out. The youngsters learned alot and when we finished our 16 mile round trip haul out I told them they have gained my respect and this area will be theirs when I am unable to make the climb!
@@rdbenion6660 thanks passing it on to the next generation. As a kid (48 now) doing something similar it’s forever burned in my memories and help shape me.
I'd give anything to find a mentor. I've been dropping weight and working on my health so I can make it out west in the 2025 season. Social media groups make it impossible to find someone to help. I'm committing to a solo hubt next year if all else fails.
@@tjrommel93 get away from social media groups. Find a local hunting scene to hang around. Try archery if you haven’t already. Go to 3d shoots and start networking. Number 1 if you find some guys that go west to do the type of hunting you want to do is try and earn their respect. Keep losing weight, work hard. Once they notice that you’re more likely to get invited. No one is taking a stranger they don’t know.
Awesome way to share the experience. Thanks
Great episode! I just returned from my first elk hunt at the Grand Mesa, Colorado. My experience was very similar to Eric’s and the elk were absolutely silent. It was a great learning experience and local hunters were extremely helpful and friendly. It’s an amazing and beautiful area and would love to visit/hunt again.
Great to hear you had a good trip!
Cliff and this guy are their own worst enemies. Complain about otc Colorado because of the people/pressure but at the same time recruit more people to Colorado. I’d never hunt Colorado and never fish Colorado.