Bow Hunting Elk with recurve Self bow - Clay Hayes Day 4 on Public Land

Bow hunting Elk with recurve self bow. Day 4 of our public land DIY traditional archery elk hunt was heart pounding to say the least. We found a fresh set of elk tracks early in the morning and followed them through the snow for several hours until we caught up with the elk herd. The wind was good and after an hour of stalking through the timber we could see several elk withing a hundred yards. There were two bulls bugling and we got in stick bow close, calling the herd bull in to 5 yards.
Follow along with our series as we spend time in the mountains bow hunting elk with traditional wood bows.
Be sure to check out our sponsors. Support these guys and you'll be supporting videos like this.
www.rmsgear.com/
orioncoolers.com/
eclipsebroadheads.com/
www.comptontraditionalbowhunt...

[@johnvanderwalker4830]

Thanks for this Clay. It is so cool that you laughed when the encounter was over and said "THAT is why I love elk hunting." Good on ya.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks John

[@homesteadonomics]

dang... my heart was pumping right there! Great footage and self control too!

[@pawadventures5544]

@11:46 AAARGH!!! Clay feels like Charlie Brown when Lucy pulls the football away.😖 It was so close I could taste the elk. 😋 Nice series so far. 👍🏻😎

[@mrgrivers1]

Sweet hunt Clay. If he would have gone left we'da got him. Man, my heart stood still as he peeked aroud to the right.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep

[@jaybird4610]

Wow! I was on the edge of my seat, heart pumping . Great video guys, thanks for sharing. Jay

[@clayhayeshunter]

+Jay Bird 👍

[@isengramm4280]

Ab Minute 9 wa ich innerlich richtig angespannt. Als du auf den Elch angelegt hast. Dachte ich nur noch bitte löse den Pfeil und setze einen Treffer. Ich finde es echt cool das du in dem Moment dem inneren drang nicht nach gegeben hast um keinen unsauberen Treffer zu machen oder sogar den Pfeil ins leere zu setzen. Schaue mir gerade deine gesamten Videos an und bin echt begeistert. 👌

[@michaelpringle804]

Man oh man. That was close. Thx

[@bowman321123]

Exciting to watch! What an experience just being out there and getting that close. Thanks for keeping us armchair hunters posted.

[@clayhayeshunter]

You're most welcome.

[@stephenmudry7826]

This was really awesome Clay thanks for sharing an incredible moment

[@JWHITEHEAD13]

Epic encounter great job capturing the moment.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Jason

[@brojames3714]

Literally one step away - love your positive attitude Clay.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@nik57nik57]

Alot of respect to your attitude and self controle. I went to something very similar when i got face to face with the first buck ive ever seen here in Quebec while bow hunting. I got crazy, couldnt moove on, couldnt think of anything else. I went read and learn everything i could on whitetail, got him 7 days later. Funny how these experience can turn out to be great teachers. Good perspective man, very inspiring...

[@mohprechus]

My heart was pounding sitting here at the computer!! Great hunt!

[@ryank1398]

Awesome hunt! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheOutdoorsman]

Its always "one more step" has happened to me more times than i care to remember. Great video!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Me toooo!

[@danielbuell7145]

So tempting! Good job not letting that arrow go! Good luck

[@alizahorton6047]

The ending made it. Love your perspective

[@RubenGarcia-kc3op]

No shortcuts just real tough hunt! What A hunter, great material

[@clayhayeshunter]

+Ruben Garcia thanks

[@j.knutson3486]

If only all hunters were like this guy. Awesome video, I thought for sure he was going to step into a lane

[@frankie1956]

Wow my heart was in my mouth the blood was rushing through my ears l very nearly stopped breathing that was so close , what a cliffhanger of a video left me wanting more 👍👍👍

[@clayhayeshunter]

If you watch close, you can see my breathing rate increase as he gets closer!

[@kentonward97]

Man that feeling is confusing !! Totally excited at getting a shot then poof ! It’s gone yet it’s that feeling that’s keeps you going on to the next try!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep!

[@bearbow8529]

That was intense man! I’m really loving this mini series. Although I’m unable to bow hunt here in the UK I’m finding your skills and wisdom inspirational. Any time you fancy taking on a green apprentice I’m only to happy to oblige . Take it easy and looking forward to the next.....

[@adamaghion4453]

Great video. I'm impressed with your reaction to the situation. Keep up the great work!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Stuff like this happens fairly often. All you can do is move on and try to learn what you can.

[@Tossdart]

oh my you will never forget that moment. Unbelievable experience and on camera! My son got of an arrow 30 yard on big mule doe the other day but she jumped the string cat ducked. He guided me to a nice big bodied buck yesterday which I took with 30-06. Never got shot on video. Well no pack out, bonus lol.

[@clayhayeshunter]

It certainly is less work!

[@manuelwebe]

Wow! That bull just had to take one step forward! Just one more!...Awesome

[@clayhayeshunter]

Ain't that the way it turns out so much of the time!

[@Sirskibumsalot]

WOW .....That was awesome ...you got him in so close ...! Great skills thanks again !

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks

[@robertscott7362]

Wow you had me on the edge of my seat! Great video!

[@clayhayeshunter]

thanks

[@kenschwartz4328]

Having an elk that close ! No way could I stand still. Great job ,and filming.

[@clayhayeshunter]

thanks

[@johnsimpson8198]

Such a great video, again, thanks man!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Certainly

[@TemplesLongtailsandFurs]

Nuts! Great videos, thanks for sharing!

[@clayhayeshunter]

+Temple's Longtails and Furs no problem.

[@Buckrun11]

That was really cool!

[@johnsomebody972]

Been there done that in Wyoming. A bit disappointing yet thrilling to have a massive animal that close.

[@lindseyzacek5211]

the way you went with that bugle scared me..lol good video.

[@trainrecked]

Beautiful country! Elk hunting is tough alone..I really think you would had got your shot had the camera person was calling and stayed 20yds behind and above you slightly..Nice video!

[@slalomnorth]

Wow, that was so close. Love the videos.

[@clayhayeshunter]

thanks

[@jimihendricks8463]

Good lord! Such a satisfying video.

[@flywiseman]

What a great hunt

[@InPursuit365]

that was awesome

[@dterice8767]

Great hunt and calling

[@clayhayeshunter]

thanks

[@j.knutson3486]

Awesome encounter

[@azcoueshntr]

That was just awesome, you got elked. Course that's never happened to me. LOL.

[@clayhayeshunter]

haha, me either!

[@helopicture]

Really enjoy your videos Clay. I was in the Sawtooth zone the same week, in the same weather. Tough hunting after scouting in short sleeve t-shirts about 10 days prior.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yes it was. Not what you expect for elk season.

[@Nothingfun8]

Great job man, I love watching you hunt. I'm a new subscriber, but you got me hooked!

[@clayhayeshunter]

+Nothingfun8 interesting avatar!

[@edyke4962]

Well done .

[@murdocks8242]

awesome!

[@TheRedhawke]

WoW great hunt.

[@clayhayeshunter]

it was!

[@mbs7567]

That’s what it’s all about bro!!!!! Maybe next time!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Always!

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Just happened to me Saturday with a nice 10 whitetail. It happens Great video

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep, seemingly more often that not.

[@BLADExARTx5160]

I bet that got the adrenaline flowing!

[@clayhayeshunter]

Fo sho!

[@magicdaveable]

One thing is really obvious. Hunting Elk is really tough "work." I never had the opportunity when during my younger years. These days my old bones could do much actual "hunting"(hiking in really steep terrain.) Here in yhe northeast scouting deertrails in the summer makes harvest a deer usually on the first day of bow season.

[@keatonshiveley4041]

Thx

[@tomalophicon]

Busted but the cameraman! Bad luck mate.

[@clayhayeshunter]

It happens!

[@shawndean8358]

So close but yet so far.

[@DanielGeerts]

Wow, awesome to watch. Looks like the camera man spooked him by shifting the camera, oh well....that's hunting.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep, that's exactly what happened. Oh well. We'll catch up with him next year!

[@DanielGeerts]

Learn from your mistakes #hunting. I watch quite a bit of hunting tv/videos, nothing comes close to your videos...it's not all about the kill shot. Thank you for these, keep up the good work and keep them coming.

[@clayhayeshunter]

we certainly will

[@jennifermcconnell7767]

What is the poundage of your bow?

[@loneshark123]

Love these videos Clay! I have a question for you, what do you use to seal the wood on your self bows after you make them?? Thanks

[@clayhayeshunter]

i mainly use tung oil.

[@jeffreyarnold2626]

well cutting the wiskers down kept those mtn man snotcicles from your face like last season lol. i got a tech question if you will. selway, or thunderhorn quiver? i'm not keen on drilling my bow to attach anything.

[@clayhayeshunter]

One of my buddies has a selway and he likes it. I"v'e never seen a thunderhorn first hand. mine is from www.creekwalkertrading.com

[@sebastienraymond3648]

Nice hunting video !! I am lucky to live 1km away from my legal hunting territory, here in Quebec-Canada. I usually hunt with my Bear SuperMag 48" 55#, but this year I will trie my luck with my Samick Sage 55#, armed with Port Orford Cedar arrows made by myself and Zwickey Eskimo 4 Edge 125gr. broadheads.

[@emiledufour5412]

ha ouin hu pas le seul du québec à regarder sa... t'est de quelle ville?

[@sebastienraymond3648]

Laval (ZONE 8 de chasse). Mais faut toujours avoir en poche un permis de chasse valide du MRNF. Beaucoup de terres agricoles ont cultivé du soya cette année. En plein été et plein jours, les chevreuils s'en gavaient. Bref, tant que le soya reste vert (et non sèche et brun) ils viennent bouffer. Étrangement, il y en plus que dans ma jeunesse. C'est aussi très alléchant pour les bernaches, ils viennent par milliers.

[@emiledufour5412]

ha ouin... j'H abite vers st hyacinthe! nous aussi, quand les dreins sont bouchés dans les champs, il y a pas mal d'eau donc beaucoup d'outarde, pas mal de chevreuil et quelques coyotes en tout cas, je suis assez surpris de voir que quelqu'un d'aussi proche regarde ça!

[@sebastienraymond3648]

Est-ce que tu chasse à l'arc également ou peut-être es-tu plus un adepte du tir animalier 3D ou cible fixe? Malheureusement, ici à Laval, les clubs d'archerie sont axé sur le tir type olympique, surtout pour les jeunes. Remarque que c'est très bien et j'encourage toutes les formes d'archerie. :-) Pour pallier à cela, j'ai placé une vingtaine de cibles fixe fait maison (sacs de jute, quelques cartons et stuff à bourrer le sac sur place, rendant le tout biodégradable). Toutefois, pour éviter les personnes qui penseraient que je suis un braconnier quelconque ou un tortureur d'animaux, j'apporte toujours avec moi un ballon de soccer Nerf flanqué d'une poignée de corde fait maison sur lequel je tire également. Bizarrement, même avec un arc de 55# et des flèches armées de pointes judo, elles rebondissent tous sur la balloune (bizarre mais ok). Vous semblez avoir un super beau Club à Saint-Hyacinte, dans ton cas, je me trompe?

[@emiledufour5412]

non... en fait le truc c'est que j'ai 14 ans pi je n'ai pas tout ces moyens mais chez moi, je fais des arcs avec du frène, de l'érable ou de l'orme, à défaut du "osage orange "de ces américains. Pour le tir, j'essaye mes arcs dans le champ derrière chez moi sur une vielle boite en carton ou quelque chose du genre. Puisque je n'ai pas de balance ou pèse personne pour je ne peux pas vraiment calculer la puissance de mes arcs, je ne peux pas non plus comparer car je n'ai jamais tiré avec d'autre arcs car j'en n'ai pas eu l'occasion... aurais tu une solution pour calculer la puissance? Sinon je fais mes pointes de flèche en pierre, pas de silex car il n'y en as pas dans mon coin, mais j'en fais avec du quartz et de la vitre.J'aimerais vraiment avoir une technique de tir d'ailleur, j'ai 1 question -à part tirer au "feeling" comment fais t'on pour viser si je tient ma corde avec une prise méditéranéenne? genre as tu une video? mais pour le club à st Hyacinthe je ne sais pas... ça doit être pour les arc olympique mais ils acceptent surement les arcs traditionnels.. je ne sais pas réellement merci beaucoup!

[@thisguysflies3787]

I was wondering if the packs of rawhide come in two or if it is just one piece, could you clarify? Thanks. And I really enjoy your videos, I’m in the process of making a hickory bow right now useing your vids to teach me how

[@clayhayeshunter]

they're sold by the pair.

[@thisguysflies3787]

Clay Hayes thanks!

[@brianlucas7604]

Curious, do you use any kind of scent control?

[@AlfonsoLopezRamosArqozs]

What bow do you recommend for hunting rabbits, hares and pigs? Hunting at least 6 times a year, a recurve bow not too expensive.

[@clayhayeshunter]

+Alfonso Lopez Ramos you can often find inexpensive recurves at yard sales. Something about 45lbs should be fine.

[@mauricepierre9250]

Man, that was close. Any idea what spooked him? That would have been quite a trophy and a lot of meat. Better luck next time

[@clayhayeshunter]

+Maurice Pierre my camera man🙄

[@davidketchell5900]

Great fun coming along through the camera. Except for the pics of your snot-cicles. Lol

[@oddmunddale806]

Nice, cut of the excess harness ends that are waiving in the wind?

[@clayhayeshunter]

The bull saw my camera man move. He was standing right beside me.

[@oddmunddale806]

Did you beat him up after :)

[@abdulkabza]

How cud you wait at full draw with a hunting-weight bow such a long period of time?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Lots of practice.

[@keatonshiveley4041]

What kind of camp do you have on

[@keatonshiveley4041]

@Clay Hayes what kind of camo you hvaebon

[@clayhayeshunter]

firstlite

[@wadesaunders583]

new to the channel...what state are you in?

[@InterventionBeast420]

what pound draw do you use for elk?

[@clayhayeshunter]

A little over 50 with a 29.5” draw.

[@crazycoyote1738]

Great hunting skills!! It’s a shame you’ve got a slowpoke camera man. He missed all the action.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Ah, he did all right.

[@davidliftsheavycircles]

What bow do you use?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Self bow. I make them.

[@davidliftsheavycircles]

Clay Hayes that’s awesome! What is the draw weight on that bow?

[@clayhayeshunter]

This one was about 48@28 and I'm drawing almost 29 so it's probably close to 50.

[@davidliftsheavycircles]

Clay Hayes rad. Thanks for the info. I’m gonna try to make one soon.

[@lanetaglio]

STUD

[@joshjameskiwibushman]

so close mate

[@clayhayeshunter]

+Josh James Kiwi Bushman story of my life!

[@TraditionalAmericanHunter]

Good job holding still man. That guy was so close. Great job closing the distance. Don't know if you've seen this, but this guy was H U G E ! .....kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ2uYmiaqd13rtU ....and "vanished like a dream", as you said. Got within longbow range of not 1 but 2 moose on film on this last hunt as well. Great videos, as always and thank you for sharing them with the world.

[@clayhayeshunter]

cool, thanks

[@HobbitHomes263]

Frustrating ain't it? ;) I kne you were real when you blue one out and said..."Let's go find another one" Lots of guys go back to camp and bitch all evening....remonds me of one of my favorite movies... "Can you skin grizz?" "I can skin most any critter".... Pilgrim heads to the cabin Bear is in hot pursuit of the hivernant and chases him into the cabin and the old dude dives out the back window and all hell breaks loose inside tha cabin "When you get done with that one, I'll bring you another!"

[@keatonshiveley4041]

Plz respond

[@graphguy]

Hunting in America is far more difficult before North Americans arrived and decimated most of the population of large mammals. Even with modern day conservation, the ratio of elk population compared to back then is 1:10. Native Americans in respective areas would have had a far better success rate.

[@clayhayeshunter]

They were hunting far less pressured animals as well.

[@slapuharder]

Successful failures are the best to watch.

[@clayhayeshunter]

+Ken Carlson and a lot less work!