Why 5% of Public Land Hunters Kill 95% of The Elk - Elk Hunting Tips and Strategies

[@maniskarberg6823]

I am not a expert hunter by any means, but I have hunted in the west coast of Oregon for over twenty years, and I can tell any new hunter that watches this video that this man hit every single important point perfectly. I know many local hunters from my town that kill bull elk every single year, and it's always the same people. The absolute most important thing is to first know one area like the back of your hand. every trail, every road, every nook you can find. Then remember where you see the animals and where they run to. I recommend new hunters watch this video multiple times and really listen to what this gentleman is saying. I know guys who are 20 years younger than me and are twice the hunter I am, for all the reasons stated in the video. I am not a bad hunter either. If I would have done the things talked about in this video I would have doubled my successes over the years. Last thing is don't be like me and when all your hard work finally pays off, get too jacked up and blow a easy kill! Try to be calm and just get it done.

[@CliffGray]

Mani, really appreciate the comment. A great compliment. Good luck on you upcoming hunts!

[@markhirstwood4190]

Wisdom, right there, thanks.

[@benjaminfranklinkivettiv9433]

Northern coast range oregon here 45 yrs in the same unit 23 spikes👍

[@HuntFishColo]

Such an incredible distillation of information! Couple things I might add - physical fitness and ‘year-round hunting mentality.’ Staying in shape has kept me on the mountain longer and kept me pushing harder than most of the 95%. Having a hunting mindset year-round ‘tunes’ those systems that make you successful in the fall. Watching big game animals local to you, shed hunting, scouting, etc. all contribute to effectiveness in the field. Great content!

[@CliffGray]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Love the additional advice on having a year-round hunter mentality - very true. Thanks

[@brienfoaboutanything9037]

Thats amazing information about Elk: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGeWg4iwe915bZo

[@mikesmith6838]

Yeah, physical fitness is probably #1 or #2, no doubt. Being willing and able to go further than those 95% of other hunters will give you the opportunities to go where the elk are being pushed. In a way, on public land, you are hunting the hunters habits, or adapting to the changes in the game patterns because of the other hunters. You need to go where the other hunters are pushing the game.

[@kevinjack5184]

Yeah, I'm a totally new hunter. I've gone with about 5-6 people on some hunts. Each time after 1 day they all gave up and quit! Went home! I don't have the time this year, but maybe late next year.

[@308dad8]

@@kevinjack5184 Gotta be patient and still when hunting. Lot of sore backs and asses before getting game the first time, at least it’s been so for me

[@SlingandStoneVideos]

If your hunts keep failing WATCH YOUR WIND. Something I've learned to be much more mindful of. We all know it but its important to remember these animals can wind us way before we get to the spot we want if the winds not in our favor

[@rodwoods2108]

OK Cliff, I listened again! You are on the money. We hunted the same over the counter tag unit from 1984 to 2020. We knew the elk and the location like you say. It was so big and rough that we never really knew the whole area but we knew where to get the elk. TRails are important. We found ancient trails and made them ours so we could move faster. WE hunted steep rough country but we knew the places to get high and glass to find the animals even if we hunted them the next day. You have to find the spots that you can shoot where the elk will come too sooner or later. In the time I mentioned we climbed the mountain two hours before daylight hundreds of times to be there on the shooting lane at first light. I know that is what you are trying to tell people. Age can take you out of that kind of tough terrain but if you love it you work out and fight it as long as you can. Most elk hunters know you have to be a rifleman and that requires paying the dues of practice and precision. You climb that mountain in bad weather , you must care for the equipment that has to function when you get there too. You are telling it like it is Cliff. Some will listen and learn to be successful. That is worth the video work.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks Rod! Really appreciate it.

[@richardkramer1094]

Very good points and all of them true. For 6 years I hunted a certain area of Wyoming usually hunting 14 days. The first week was often spending time scouting for the changes in a particular area where elk often habited. The first year I wasn’t successful but every year after that I was because I spent time that first year learning the ‘lay of the land’. I’ve now been hunting in a certain area of Idaho for the last 6 years and I’ve done the same thing there. I have 2 elk tags and a mulie tag in my pocket and plan to spend a month and a half because one tag is for a unit I’ve never hunted but I do know the ‘lay of the land’ and where elk and deer tend to habit in that unit because it is adjacent to a unit I usually hunt. Backcountry backpack hunts at 61 years old are what I live for!

[@CliffGray]

Good stuff!

[@jasonf.4107]

Good for you, sir. I hope I am as fortunate to be out there doing what you’re doing when I’m your age (which isn’t too far off for me). :-)

[@hernanlecea7041]

61 years old and backpacking! You are my idol.

[@NinJoeOutside]

I must say I appreciate that you actually have something to say that hasn’t been said 5 billion times! You earned yourself a sub.

[@CliffGray]

Haha! Thanks man. Appreciate it!

[@NinJoeOutside]

@@CliffGray keep pumping out the solid content and you will keep growing. You are the voice for the 5% that want to go deep and harvest animals!

[@dannyjacobs6734]

Exactly! You basically described my elk hunting buddy. He's been hunting one drainage for over 30 years, and I've been going with him since '14. He will glass for the first 2+ days without even going after a group of elk, but will watch their movements and plan from that, and has killed an elk on all but one trip, and we live 2500 miles away. He/we never run around bugling from one mountain to the next, but are extremely patient and cow call when in position. He killed a bull due to a group of guys constant bugling every morning on the same mountain at the same group of elk, we noticed the same bull slip out the same way to get away from the screaming bugles, set up and he killed him on the forth morning. We would laugh every morning from watching those guys from a 1000 yards away, knowing what was about to happen! 😁

[@CliffGray]

Impressive! It's pretty cool that someone who lives that far away from their spot has still be able to figure out a formula for success. good stuff!

[@kerryjones1257]

$100 bucks your from Pennsylvania

[@mr.tactician_7551]

Awesome! Most don’t know you won’t get anything tooting through the woods like a kazoo band…

[@marksweeney6260]

Agree with many comments on here! Just watch Cliff"s video series and you'll be a better hunter and have fun listening and watching him! Great work, Cliff!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks Mark!

[@burt308308]

I hunted the flat tops DIY solo once and this advice is spot on. I was mentally prepared for quiet wilderness alone but it was more like Pennsylvania public deer hunting- outsmart other hunters and you will find deer (elk).

[@ValcoBayrunner]

I was one of those 5% bowhunters in CO from 1990-1998. I moved to AK and went on a hunt for elk in my old unit in 2015 and never heard a bull bugle, only saw 2 cows, and a bull moose. I think drought and over hunting and maybe some bad winters came into play. This year 2022, western states are handing out less tags due to draught. The succes I had was from backpacking in 2-3 miles and hunt up high at timberline. Down draft early AM, and up drafts as sun comes up.

[@PeaceCountryBoy]

That is the best comment I have heard for a long time. I have been hunting elk since 2005 and the area I am currently hunting is a hard go. in 2017, I decided to start hunting the area and wasn’t even sure that there were elk in there. I got pretty lucky, that year I called in a nice 7x6 to 20 yards. The next year we went, my hopes were high and I thought “hey, it was easy last year.” That September we ended up with 50mm of rain in one day and the next day it snowed 15 cm. We were stuck in the wall tent for 3 days straight. We hunted hard for the seven other days and never saw a thing. Frustrated and defeated, I went home that September and hung up my elk grunt tube and rifle and decided to try again next year. The next year, I went on opening day for 3 days and ran into a raghorn the first day. We saw sign and did our homework that year. We planned a 7 day hunt and if that wasn’t good then we would pup-tent it for a few overnighters. I ended up calling in a beautiful 6x6 for my dad on September 17. For over 45 minutes the bull and I called back and forth through the thick deadfall timber caused by a windstorm that summer. It ended with a shot. The next year we got skunked again on our main hunt but were successful on one of our 3 day overnight trips. I don’t plan one big trip anymore, I am blessed to be a half hour drive from elk country and a half hour walk into our camp. Last year I saw more elk on our day trips than I did on our long hunt. My favourite thing to say to my hunting partners is "You just never know what you will see on a walk in the elk woods...." They probably get sick of hearing it = ) Thanks for the post Cliff, makes sense

[@CliffGray]

Thanks! Sounds like you have been making some good memories in the elk woods 👍

[@davidpadilla1747]

Spot on! I have killed 18 bulls in the past 22 years but with that said, I killed 0 bulls the first 15 years I started hunting. The only other thing I would add is that the harder I hunt, the ‘luckier’ I’ve been. You can’t just get out of bed at 3am on day one or two, it has to be on days 3-10! I have killed the majority of my bulls on days 4-8 when everybody else sleeps in, goes in early, and gets disheartened because they haven’t seen anything. Great perspective

[@CliffGray]

Thanks David! Impressive record on your end! 👍

[@ec9697]

I agree with everything and especially the last one..I have it in my mind I will succeed every single time I go out-from daylight to dark until time is out.

[@williamchristy3063]

GREAT INSIGHT! As a older experienced big game hunter who has lived and worked around big game for half my life, I might add some simple insight for the novice elk hunter: 1; Do your pre-scouting homework well and get to know your intended hunting unit. 2; Finding elk is half the battle. Elk will be in one of three areas when pressure by public hunters; in warmer weather, they will be high up where they can easily escape hunters. Weather and hunting pressure will force them down to the foothills and flat grazing fields. Weather and hunting pressure will drive them over to private property where they can escape public hunting pressure and there is good grazing. Plan on spending one day scouting each possibility until you find the elk and what they are doing. Yes, that means driving and lots of walking and glassing. Once located, adjust your hunting tactics accordingly. Religiously hunting the same public area each season can be a wrong decision because yearly changing weather, moisture conditions and hunting pressure can change things up drastically. So, before settling in on a area to hunt, give the three basic elk behavior tendencies for areas a "look-see!" Good luck and happy hunting.

[@CliffGray]

Great tips! Thanks

[@chuckswackhammer]

Great tips! All of these are so true. #3 is what really helped me. I put a ton of time into planning, strategy, knowledge and practice so that I can make the very best of my time in the woods. I’ve got 6 bulls in a row now and want to keep the streak going. If I could add one thing it would be to not freeze up when the big moment comes. It took me a couple of kills to get there, but I see so many people that just freeze up and can’t make it happen when the time comes. Looking forward to seeing more of your content now.

[@CliffGray]

Hey Chuck, 6 in a row puts you in the 5%! Thanks for the additional info for people to think about. Glad you liked the video!

[@stalker7892]

Good point on not freezing up. For me it's a mind set. I always tell my boys to not focus so much on the Elk but once a decision is made that you want that bull or cow pick a spot for the shot and do it. Concentrate on the shot and make it.

[@ValcoBayrunner]

You are right, it takes experience to wait for that shot. I learned a hard lesson to not take a frontal facing you shot. Wait for the broadside shot.

[@chuckswackhammer]

@@ValcoBayrunner Exactly! Taking a questionable shot after I call a bull right into someone is the worst. Twice last year I called bulls into people and they said they couldn’t draw back because by the time the bull was in a good spot to shoot they were looking right at them. Ya just gotta set up in the right spot and be ready to draw at the right time.

[@LRRPFco52]

This is one of the best discussions I've ever seen on elk hunting.

[@Yetified_Mayhem]

Really appreciate the vids! When I moved to the PNW at about 20 I could never find someone to show me the ropes. Local friends were just too busy and very protective of their honey holes. Was like pulling teeth for just basic info. Over a decade, I spent so much year around time working and playing in the woods that I learned a fair bit about Roosevelt Elk. Your vids clear up a lot of my questions, thank you!

[@CliffGray]

👍👊

[@Unhinged29]

Hunted Montana for elk in 2018 with some local guys who told me to just sit near the roads in certain spots and they assured me that I would see elk being new to elk hunting I listed to them... I did not kill an elk. two years later I went to Wyoming for deer and pronghorn, ignored what everyone else was doing hiked several miles away from the road and I was tagged out in three days.

[@rodwoods2108]

Yes, you have to hunt and that ups your odds. Good on using your gut instinct. Elk cover big country, you need high elevation spots and lots of early and late glassing. Mostly early. They are where you find them and go after them. Successful elk hunters spend many hours looking through good binoculars every day.

[@simonsparks5738]

Observation and being able to interpret your observations and using them to create useful strategies are key in my hunting endeavours , one must be aware and very keenly switched on and have a very good memory of as many factors as possible to become in tune with the area you set out to hunt in. Dont forget what you do right and neither forget what you do wrong. Does not take the fittest trailblaser to get into back country and come home with results , mostly it will be the observant , patient fella that has a plan ahead of time.

[@HanzHermannHoppe]

that was a great idea to take a year and get as many hunts in as possible. Being able to learn and immediately apply lessons the next outing versus waiting another year, when tons of different conditions have all changed, is truly night and day. As for the last tip, I find that the key is gratitude. Even in the shittiest situations you can find something to be thankful for, and every time i stop to reflect on that I'm able to dig down and find a new reserve of strength to keep pushing on. This is applicable to just about any hard thing you can do.

[@CliffGray]

Great tip on gratitude! Very true 👍

[@joshtheplow]

I’ll be honest, I don’t hunt elk.. or really anything for that matter.. but with that said, the advice in this video is top notch for many disciplines. I try to apply very similar tactics for fishing and found this all very insightful! While I don’t hunt, I do try to educate myself on all things outdoors, and I really appreciate insight from those who excel at their pursuits! You got a new follower, good stuff dude 👌🏻👊🏻

[@CliffGray]

Hey Josh! Thanks for the comment. I’m happy you are finding the videos helpful as they relate to fishing. I think all of this stuff can be applied to a bunch of different endeavors. Thanks

[@xSirBaconx]

I was hooked as soon as you said it wasn’t going to be flashy trendy shit. What a fantastic wealth of information you are!

[@CliffGray]

👍

[@johnkizziah108]

I'm a old man my whole family (boys and girls) have hunted elk forever we know where we hunt like home. If I told you how many elk we've taken you wouldn't belive me. This guy knows what he's talkin about..

[@CliffGray]

Thanks John!

[@gusgalbraith1418]

I hunt most always on public land in general draw areas. I know the areas that I hunt very well. My favorite way to increase my odds of success and get away from crowds is to flashlight into my spots and be in position before first light. I carry my Glock 10mm with a good light on it and also have my pepper sprayer way accessible. Hunt a lot by myself and easily get away from the crowds.

[@bowhunter8532]

That is funny, I take the opposite approach. I sleep in, see where other guys are going, then go where they aren't. I pattern the other hunters. Find little pockets of sanctuary and more times than not, elk are there.

[@LastAmericanOutlaw]

4 200+ inch deer myself 17 over 190 with my brothers and I and without knowing this it’s exactly what we do. All public land.

[@joshpowers200]

1: I don't comment too often on videos, but this seemed excellent so I wanted to thank you for this great advice. 2: I went on my first hunt (of any kind) last year. Along with what you've said, f you have the opportunity to hunt with a great hunter (and I was fortunate in this regard), you will pick up a great deal, I believe faster than I would have on my own. I discovered your channel yesterday, and it's top notch stuff; thank you for your work!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks For the nice comment Josh! 👍

[@mclcr4053]

This is by far the best summary I’ve ever heard. Not even realizing I do all of this until you mentioned it. You basically describe my annual Archery Elk season. You’re also spot on because I’m consistently successful and on years I’m not it’s because I choose not to shoot a smaller animal at some point while other hunters around us struggle to even see Elk during a month long season. I’m never not in the game several times per season. I have a drainage I’ve been hunting all my life and I hit that drainage from different angles depending on hunting pressure, wind direction, weather, other bulls pressuring the area and the list goes one. This is great advice!

[@CliffGray]

Glad it is aligned with what you have seen in your experience! thanks for the comment.

[@kennethjackson7574]

My great uncle always had one on the first day of the season. He had been a topper (in the logging industry, climbing and limbing trees before cutting the top off), then flight engineer in B-29s in the CBI (China Burma India theatre, 444th Bombardment Group, Very Heavy Special), then felling trees, and finally bucking. He knew where to be on opening day.

[@Unclesam0311]

You are exactly right and don’t forget there’s the quick and there’s the without

[@beaub5154]

Awesome video! I find that hard work, going to difficult places, and learning about the area are the most important things for success.

[@littlebrookreader949]

Great Advice! To succeed at anything!

[@CliffGray]

Absolutely! thanks

[@minervandusen324]

Great Video Cliff. And all good points. Postive mind set is a Must, love the Grind! I have been unsuccessful hunting public land for Elk for the past 8 seasons. One big trip a year. I always forget the lessons learned. Hasn't worked. Thos year I took a job and moved to a mountain town, to put more time in the field. I love the pursuit. This year who Knows.🤞

[@CliffGray]

Thanks! This is a great comment. That’s really common and an uncomfortable truth about elk hunting - it’s just really difficult to expand your skillset with a single hunt per year. Congrats on the move. I think you will find you learn a ton this season… when I’ve been able to put in a few hunts or scouting/hunting trips in one season, I’ve always felt like I climbed the learning curve a bunch. Good luck!

[@dreeder192]

If there was just ONE video out there that every public land hunter needs to watch, it's this one. Thanks, Cliff.

[@kennymcgrath1192]

Spot on Cliff. 100 percent . My boys and hunting buddies live this all the way. We have been blessed with a lifetime of great elk hunting! Live to hunt the wapiti, and not a day goes by I don't watch an elk video. I'm pretty sure I've seen them all. Im almost afraid to share this video as it may wake up a lot of average hunters into the 5percent!!!

[@CliffGray]

The greatest compliment! thanks! Good luck to you guys on your upcoming hunts.

[@IdahoSwede88]

This was a great video. Also slightly disheartening because I unfortunately am in a stage in life where 1 hunt a year is all i can do. But hey i never regret the time i get with my little kiddos :)

[@TrinityFamilyFarms]

Excellent dissertation. Location location location… natural predators 20% success rate they don’t give up they gotta eat mindset. Yep 80% of the kills come in the last 10% of the time. After quarry mind meld. 👍🏻🙏🏻😊

[@CliffGray]

Thanks man!

[@rickgoing7027]

Great video but for someone that lives 2000 miles away being able to as you say do 3-4 hunts in a year is both cost prohibitive and time prohibitive. In 2019 my son and I drove from the NJ shore to the Routt NF for the opener of the archery season. we left NJ at 6 am Wed and got to our base camp at 4pm mountain time 36 hours later. I only slept two hours and drove 30 hours myself. This was our first hunt and within 15 minutes we had 3 bulls bugling on the next ridge. The next day we drove and scouted our number 2-5 spot and then came back to camp to check out the drainage the elk were bugling on. We found a route to get to where they had been calling from and backed out for the opener the next day. The next morning we sent down the drainage and heard an elk bugling down the drainage instead of upstream like we planned so we followed the sound only to get cliffed out and had to turn around. When we got to where we were going to go originally we ran into a sucessful local who got a cow exactly where we planned originally. We started talking and told him our other spots and he told me I really did my home work because he had killed elk in 4 or the 6 spots. He also told us we were the first people he had ever seen in that drainage in the 10 years he hunted it. He gave us some easier access sspots to get into 2 of the 5 spots. we planned on giving the drainage a rest for a couple days since he and some friends would be packing out. The second day we saw and heard nothing. The third day we planned on taking a longer but easier access to where the local got the elk but I threw out my back putting on my pack. We ended up driving in to town and had breakfast and my back started to feel better but I was cautious and decided to check out one of our other areas and at noon had a cow come in to 80 yards while we were sitting on a watering hole we found. Unfortunately the wind swirled and she ran back over the ridge. Day four we were going to go back to where we hunted the opener but I couldn't get my son up. I was mad and almost left him and go but fortunately didn't because when I was able to wake him he had altitude sickness. We drove into town got him to drink a gallon of water plus gatorade and after 4 hours he wasn't any better. I made the decision to cut the hunt 5 days short because I was afraid he would end up in the hospital or worse. He was so upset that he ruined my hunt and I told him we won. Most people never get one their first time but we hit every goal we set except killing any elk. We heard them call, we had them call back at my, we had the local prove my e scouting was on point and then we almost got an opportunity with the cow all in what turned out to be a long weekedn. We spent more time driving than actually hunting. With more time and a little luck I am confident we can get an elk.

[@CliffGray]

Hey Rick! Sounds like an awesome hunt. Like you mentioned, can't ask for more than that on your first hunt. Totally understand that it's tough to pull off multiple hunts in a single Fall for some folks. Good luck on your future hunts!

[@hernanlecea7041]

I think the time you spent with your Son will be treasured for a lifetime. Great memories. I also get altitude sickness about the second or third day of the hunt. It takes about a whole day to recuperate. I get nauseated.

[@magwamagwa45110]

This folks is 100% true , it is not the latest gadget you saw on TV and not the latest hunting app or GPS and it NOT the latest greatest caliber gun and super scope.. it is Knowing the area you hunt, knowing where game goes when pressured, (and being there, not being the pressure) it is never giving up and always thinking it will come together today any min. It is being in shape to be able to go and go in the country you hunt... Listen to this man in this video he gets it and he knows it and so do I... and I am in that 5% it is not luck .....

[@CliffGray]

Thanks!

[@joemiller9314]

Always like your videos, great content. I agree with all your talking points. You touched on it but putting in a lot of days pre and during season with that positive attitude to just grind it out till the end leave nothing behind is receipt for success. Has worked for me over two decades. Thanks again for your videos!!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks for the feedback and additional info for folks! Thanks

[@jordanreasoner9158]

Best info I've seen in a while. Thank you

[@CliffGray]

Thanks Jordan!

[@chrisisom992]

Good advice for life, not just hunting. Thanks.

[@BLBOutdoors]

Another one, I think, choose your hunting buddies wisely. I have some buddies we go out and have a mindset to do whatever it takes to get the job done. And i have another set of buddies that are not motivated and doesn't take it serious. Great stuff man.

[@CliffGray]

Absolutely man. That’s super relevant

[@gregmurphy5014]

by far my favourite you tube channel, keep killin’ it man

[@CliffGray]

Thanks!

[@russellkeeling4387]

A person can learn a lot about local game by working on a ranch. I am lucky enough to have some land in southern Colorado and know my neighbors. Learning about the local wildlife is not much different than learning about the local cattle and their patterns. I don't know if I would be one of the 5% but I have been very successful over the years. Something that helps me is that I don't hunt for horns I hunt for meat.

[@CliffGray]

That’s a great tip and very true. Thanks Russell!

[@michaeljayh]

I would have to agree with most of your points but 1. The statement about if you go for a week hunt once a year... well I go on trios from 7-14 days. Doesnt matter if I go for white tail, black tail, mule deer, elk, moose, axis, caribou, pigs or bison(blessed with this draw tag this year in Delta Alaska.) I get my intended target animal(s) within the 7-14 day trip period. Of ~ 30 hunts, I've ate tag soup 2 times. Now I live for hunting, fishing and trapping so maybe it's because i dedicate more than time into my general hunting tactics. I enjoy being out there.

[@CliffGray]

👍thanks Michael for your input. I think I could flesh that point out better… reality is if you are hunting for 7-14 days each year, you are probably iterating on things you learn more than most hunters. I think a lot of hunters only get in the field for 4-5 days each year, so they spend most their time relearning what they figured out in their last hunt 👍👊

[@michaelquillen2679]

Wow, a lot of truths here! I've hunted elk in the largest public land area in my state for the last 38 years. The drainage area I've hunted in year after year, is only 2x2.5 miles. In all those years, I only came up empty handed in one year. Yes, I know it like the back of my hand (much to the irritation of the Game Wardens at the checkstations when they ask me for the GPS coordinates where I harvested my elk...I haven't a clue nor, do I care). During the first 10 years, I would go into that the area several times a year, outside the hunting season, and "shoot" the elk with my camera. Yes, I've learned how those elk move in that area and it has resulted in getting an elk (or two, or three, if wife and/or son are with me). This year, my wife and I both got our elk in our first 20 minutes in the area of our first day (after the area had already been open/hunted for 3 weeks). My hunting seasons are growing fewer in number as I age, but at least I've passed this knowledge/experience to my son who also knows the area and can "read" the elk. Thanks for the video!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks Michael - really appreciate the comment and background! glad to hear you are passing things on to your son!

[@creeksidechris3384]

Thank u. Very IMPORTANT INFO!! ON POINT 100%

[@CliffGray]

Thanks Chris. Appreciate it.

[@bryceoleski5680]

The best content out there for sure.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks man!

[@lyleswavel320]

Whitetail hunters advantage is the rut, be in the woods and away from people as much as possible, in our area it's the first 3 weeks on November

[@WestCoastGoldProspecting]

Thank you man. This is exactly what I needed to hear as a beginner.

[@kolebronson24]

Hunted the same mountain side 5 years in a row before I finally killed one on the 6th.. and the 7th.. but got a limited draw this year so I gotta start over!

[@CliffGray]

Good luck on the draw hunt!

[@bulletterminalperformance]

This is fucking spot on. I started big game hunting 3 years ago. As soon as I started, I realized to only way to get be efficient at it was to HUNT, and hunt a lot. Over 75 days hunting & scouting each season. I got OTC and general tags all over the west for the last three years. Lots of back to back hunts. Both deer and elk. I've been able to kill deer and elk in CA, NM, UT, ID, MT, AZ and WY all on public land and DIY. Mostly solo. Every aspect you touched on were the key things I focused on right off the bat. Still learning a ton every season, and hunting hard as hell, daylight to dark on every hunt. It pays off immensely.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks! Sounds like you are getting it dialed in... good stuff!

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

Definitely valuable information and tips on how to be more successful out west or even close to home in the eastern woods around me. My brother tried to get the same unit that he shot a 3x3 mule deer 🦌 in back in 2019 for this upcoming fall, but with the horrible new system he was 21,000 in line and had to pick a neighboring unit with far less public land.

[@CliffGray]

Appreciate the feedback on the video. Bummer to here on the draw for your spot!

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

@@CliffGray you are welcome 🙏 and thanks. It wasn’t my spot but my youngest brother’s. I’m still kicking myself in the butt for not buying an Idaho rifle mule deer 🦌 tag 🏷️ back in 2019, before the chaotic system they have now started. I wasn’t to participate this year but I am definitely planning that other hunt in Wyoming. Possibly could follow along until I get to my unit for pronghorn or mule deer 🦌 region.

[@jefferywilliams7687]

This is very well said. I would add, pre-scout to know your micro-part of the unit. Hunt sheds. Prepare well with shooting skills and gear. Always take backup gear and rifles. Perseverance & and never give up. My last elk hunt, went they a sand storm, dropped a rifle on the scope. On the last evening killed a 6X6 that went over 300. It would have been easy to pack up and head for the house

[@Mortablunt]

Study the animal behavior. Can you encounter the prey by stumbling about? Yes. But you have to be lucky. Even then if you're unprepared without a safe and ethical shot ready, they'll probably get away. Don't be lucky, be good. Learn the environments they like, their food sources, where they go to bed, and where they go for water. In the case of deer, they'll drink out of anything with not obviously polluted water, but they prefer standing water as they can listen better for predators while they drink. It can be just a puddle, but to a deer, that's enough for a refresher. My favorite spot is a still valley with very little wind and a modest pond packed with ferns all around. Deer love eating low plants. I set up position in a hidden gulch to the side and wait. Something always comes.

[@PerfectoM]

Great tips and strategies. I am looking forward to a fun year of hunting. Good luck everyone. Thank you for posting this video, I really appreciate it.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks man! Glad it was helpful.

[@alberttu8120]

I'm about to take a class in hunting and I supsecting there is something like this went on. Thank you for your information, but I'm not suprised at all that it boils down to adaptability and understanding nuances.

[@CliffGray]

thanks Albert

[@jasonstolte1680]

Just found your channel. Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I’m on my way to the 5% club.

[@johnpomazi9587]

Great information. I think you are spot on!

[@thecuriousvida]

The better you know any land the more you are able to think like the game in that particular area. So find a decent unit or two that are accessible usually and get to know them. Half of the fun is getting to know the land. ✌

[@seeratlasdtyria4584]

As a 'wild child' freely roaming the high Colorado Rockies in my youth, I had occasion to witness (unobserved) a substantial number of remote location Elk kills on, near, or sometimes in, public lands/national forests, and occasionally National Park boundaries. I have to say that a substantial number of them appeared to simply be poaching-especially just prior to the official opening seasons. These were men who knew the area, knew the habits of the herds intimately (on more than one occasion I witnessed solitary Park Rangers 'engaging'). Unfortunately, there remain a significant number of hunters who simply disregard the 'rules' as long as they believe they can 'get away with it,) and not just in Colorado, I've seen much the same thing in Utah, Idaho, Washington State, Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, and even Arkansas. Alaska set an entirely different standard, but there it was more commonly moose.

[@anthonygraeber2338]

I've sadly had to share mountain spaces with other groups from well known Corporate businesses in Colorado that poached before season and at knight, spotlighting elk crossings. Oh how I wanted to turn them in, but older gentlemen said not to because we did not have pictures. Watched them drive down mountain road at 6 am with massive bull on their truck. That is not playing fair nor honorably in any sense.

[@seeratlasdtyria4584]

@@anthonygraeber2338 In my youth I used to know a kid in Colorado named Buddy Graeber who was an accomplished falconer back before anyone knew what that was. Wasn't any relationship was it?:)

[@anthonygraeber2338]

@@seeratlasdtyria4584 Probably not. I lived in COLORADO from 2004 till 2014.

[@jayirvin9882]

I grew up as a free roaming child in the mountains of Wyoming. I have never found a poached animal in all my years. A lot of winter kill animals, but never a poached animal of any kind.

[@seeratlasdtyria4584]

@@jayirvin9882 Don''t know if Jay means to contradict me:), BUT if you look at the states I listed, Wyoming was not amongst them. I worked a ranch for awhile outside of Cody (fantabulous country and people btw) and never witnessed anyone poaching there either.

[@jamesm9560]

This is good advice for work (recruiting) as well.

[@RagnarLothbrok2222]

Thanks for sharing! Great tips my friend

[@lifeisnowoutdoors3961]

Awesome video, glad I found your channel. Solid content

[@CliffGray]

Thanks!

[@bearsmartdurango]

I used to know two areas intimately. But both have been blown out by increased pressure and out of staters using OnX.

[@johnstack4316]

Your not hunting far enough in if your having out of state hunters ruin your hunt. We fo at least 7 miles in and rarely have competition.

[@bearsmartdurango]

Not true. Thank to OnX, out of staters are going everywhere you're going. At least archery hunters - and more and more muzzleloaders. 7 miles isnt far enough anymore.

[@Elkmonger]

Well shoot! I thought I was gonna learn something and move from an 80% hunter to a 100% successful hunter. EVERYTING Cliff says here is exactly what I do. I'm leaving for CO on the 28th and I've been getting everything ready and out of my mind. Trailer bearings, trailer tires, truck tires, brakes, six jugs of DEF fluid, chainsaw, camping gear - It's all gone through and replaced if there's even the slight bit of doubt. I've been hunting CO and WY for 25 years and have literally killed Elk with the bow on Basalt Mtn. from the same tree. A few years ago Basalt Mtn. burned and every square foot of CO that I knew was turned to ashes. Hunted the Uncompaghre and slaughtered Elk two years in a row then nothing. Started hunting around Gunnison a couple years ago and it's looking good. Killed a few. Getting older now and the Gunnison hunt is a pretty easy one. The Uncompaghre is an easy hunt too. I've been extremely fortunate to have a good job and great family to support my hunting "habit". A few years ago I started going out fishing for a couple weeks and I'll hang cameras where I Elk hunt. That's always been interesting to see what shows up. One other thing that has made a big difference on my success is I stopped a decade ago trying to time the rut with an over the counter public land hunt - It just doesn't work that way. Sure there's guys that get it figured out, but for a majority of us - no. Your best bet is the first day. We bow hunt so there's no being picky. I've shot more cows than bulls. I will shoot a cow on the first day in the first 10 minutes - I don't care - I'm there to fill the freezer. My hunting partner is a little picky AND he's done real good. He's killed way more than me and he's sit on water all day every day. There's a dried up tank on the East of the north fork creek off cattle creek that he's killed MANY elk on. Again from the same tree. We don't hunt that area anymore. The Billionaires kicked the Millionaires out of Aspen and the ended up in Basalt. Hiking and Mtn. Biking all over the Lower Cattle Creek Basin. Maybe up around Ruedi Reservoir its better, but I doubt it. To everyone getting out there good luck and be safe. And to all those thinking about it now is the time to go for it. Take care, Jeff

[@CliffGray]

Thanks Jeff! Good luck this Fall

[@Elkmonger]

@ryan st Thanks for the advice MY GUY, but read it again. Those are places I hunted years ago. Haven't been to Basalt Mtn in a decade. It might be good. After the burn by now it should be good. I have no plans on going back. Tooooooo many people for me. There's a GD bicycle trail from about the top of the mtn to the base of it. There's also designated motorcycle trails all over cattle creek so there's that to deal with too. If you want to hunt it knock yourself out. The Uncompaghre is a HUUUUUUUUUGE area. Try and figure it out. I'll help the next guy out. I killed a bull in the horseshoe basin. And if you're hunting on foot, and over 40 years old, and a flatlander you better take a frying pan and a fork because the only way you're going to get it out of there is to eat the MF'r. If anybody wants to follow in my footsteps - go get you some - but be careful not to trip over the carcasses I left there. On the Uncompaghre is Columbine RV park. It's primitive BUT there's a damn atv park in the middle of it and there's a trail the runs out of it and parallels divide road a few hundred yards back. It sucks. There's ATV's all over that area. I'm not talking guys riding to their trail head on ATV's. I have no problem with that. FYI I hunted the Uncompaghre because it's right across the road from unit 61 which is probably like 20 preference points to draw. I thought those Elk don't know the difference. The hell they don't. Everything hauls ass into 61 - not out. Last I hunted 62 it looked like half the top of the mountain was marked for logging. That might be good now too. Internet warriors nah. Californians have done a number on those areas. When I say Gunnison I mean that's where I buy my groceries. Ryan if you're a hunter I hope you get out this fall.

[@Hunnidbillz]

@@Elkmonger what would be a good place to start looking for? Seems like you can find them easily. First year elk hunting, in a steamboat (14) right now having a tough time, it's like a circus here. Going down near Aspen (43) next weekend to try my luck, girlfriend wants to see the trees change so I'm bringing the bow

[@Elkmonger]

@@Hunnidbillz It's never been easy. That's in the area where I used to hunt. Close to Aspen is El Jebel. We used to hunt Basalt Mtn. But that burned a few years back. It might be good now. Doing what you're doing you need to scout wisely. The back side of Basalt Mtn. is easy to glass from the mountain to the other side up toward Red Table. Maybe you can see something. It's been years since I hunted it. Lots of pressure back in the day plus hikers, and bikers, and then motorcycle tracks all over the area. There used to be major trails that ran basically from the top of Basalt Mtn. down to Cattle Creek Road. If you can get someone to drop you off and pick you up it's a good DOWNHILL hunt. Find out what elevation they're at and then branch out from there. But like I said the last time I was there it was crowded. Just for kicks and giggles you could head out of El Jebel there's a reservoir called Spring Park Reservoir. If there's decent water in it you might be able to glass some Elk coming to it. It's all private, but it's nice to see Elk anyway. Also, in El Jebel there used to be an Elk Farmer. If you drive up El Jebel Rd you can pull off and glass his herd on the left. Any way out of El Jebel on up through Basalt Mtn. and Cattle Creek you can spend a day glassing for animals. That area has a fair bit of up the mountain, down the mountain. Good Luck.

[@Hunnidbillz]

@@Elkmonger glassing is key I'm seeing. I got plenty of time so I will check everything out appreciate it 👍

[@bradmiller3018]

i learned long ago to work smarter not harder. there are so many 19-35 year only worrier/billy goats out there that are in shape and will go down in the hell holes that the animals (especially elk) and will bump them out of there sending them fleeing to their escape routes. find the escape routes and let someone else do the work for you. i park my atv, walk 50-75 yards to my rock, drink mt dews and eat a snacks until they send a bull up the hill to me. I haven't had to shoot past 250 yards and i can't remember the last time i didn't take my bull off the mountain in one piece.

[@CliffGray]

bwhahahaha, this is awesome Brad! You're not the only successful guy that uses this strategy.

[@Mortablunt]

One thing important is to learn the habits of your target species. In the case of cervids, they need a lot of water and they prefer still to running water, as they can listen better for danger. I cannot recommend enough camping water holes, especially ones with lush low vegetation all around. All animals need water sometime. Something else to learn is where salt licks are, that's another thing all animals need eventually, and they will come.

[@CliffGray]

great tips. thanks

[@tylerbeaudoin3310]

Great video, I heard stories about a guy named Rick or Richard or something and he hunts the same place in the flattops every year and comes out with his elk and mule deer every year. I think FTWG would pack them out for him.

[@CliffGray]

Ha! yes, I know Ric well. Yes, a legend. The assassin from Aspen.

[@tylerbeaudoin3310]

@@CliffGray That's awesome, I'm headed back up there this fall for a black bear hunt. Do people hunting that area camp up towards the top around 11k feet or do they camp lower and hike up every day. I may be out of shape but I was about sick of hiking up the dentists chair every morning by day 3 😂

[@DecisiveOutdoors]

Great information! Awesome content, everyone can learn something from this.

[@Elkslaya1]

Well said! Couldn’t agree more!

[@eatencio9084]

I’m an elk hunter and have been for 52 years. I’m from Colorado and have no desire to hunt elk in other states. Between videos like this, which really does give good information about elk hunting and modern technology has really messed up hunting in my state! Especially for local and resident hunters! Elk hunting is fun hard work, but now the work part has gotten harder! Now we are forced to walk farther and hunt harder to be successful and still see hunters in just about every drainage! One day the whole state will be draw and Colorado is not good about the treatment of local and resident hunters. We are put in the same draw pot as everybody else in the country. It took me 18 years to draw a license in a quality unit near my home! I’m not trying to be disrespectful just letting you know how resident hunters feel.

[@cryptidoutlaw8707]

I look for content that has information to share not the bugling elk or bucks chasing does and best camo of the season and I think I just found another creator who wants to make people better hunters not just show hunts and all the fancy gear they have. This is a great video and will be subscribing to see more. Thanks. I been hunting for 40 years and kill my share of trophy animals but that said I still learn something on every hunt. If you are not learning you are not progressing in my opinion.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks! Really appreciate the comment and support for the channel. Totally agree that the learning process never ends. Thanks

[@taofouajarodeve]

If someone was hunting me, how would I move thru that land? Time, placement, and patience. Play the long game on a few spots will pay off. I am the Hunting Public.

[@justincase2291]

Thank you that was very informative. I learned that it's a good thing that I prefer beef over wild game, because I simply am able to dedicate that much time to it. However I will still get into the woods when I can. Success or not it's always better than a 9 or 10 hour a day week.

[@FT4Freedom]

Know the signs and follow the signs in one unit you visit all the time. Go out tracking weekly or monthly. Find the high traffic areas and just watch them for a few hours around the lighting change. Move less and look and listen more. Become one with your unit. Be native.

[@philbow6374]

Thank you, appreciate the information.

[@danthewoodwizard1214]

Hey! This fall is my second ever out west hurt. I did a spring bear still stalk this spring and got a nice little bear. I’ve been listening/watching your videos all day every day at work, over over over. I think you have some really good information and feel what you are doing will help me in that 5% this fall

[@CliffGray]

Good deal Dan! Good luck on this year’s hunt.

[@stevemace1725]

A great elk hunter, can get his bull in late season, majority cannot. Timing in a small area is critical.

[@jacobarrowood200]

This was my first year elk hunting. Bought otc colorado archery either sex tag. Left home on a Wednesday morning about 2am drove 1650 miles arrived at my first camp spot Thursday at dark. Hunted Friday. Killed a bull on Saturday morning! I drove back home by Monday at 6 am! You can do it! This was a solo diy otc elk hunt. Lol

[@CliffGray]

Awesome man! Congrats

[@mr.tactician_7551]

Good info for sure. “Can’t cheat the mountain Pilgrim. Mountain’s got it’s own ways.” Bear Claws

[@CliffGray]

But the real question is “Can you skin GRIZZ?”

[@mr.tactician_7551]

@@CliffGray “I can skin most anything.”

[@michaelgarrow3239]

You just have to figure out where the fuds are going to drive the elk on opening day… Well said brother.

[@maryhastings4497]

Thank you for the plethora of info! I noticed the boots you were wearing in a couple of your videos and am curious as to what brand they are? The tread looks very aggressive and would have great traction in snow.

[@CliffGray]

Hi Mary, I mainly wear Crispi Idaho and Hannah Alaskans

[@TylerKnouff]

Awesome video, thanks for the great info

[@CliffGray]

You bet! thanks for the feedback

[@kylejohnson5876]

Keep the great content coming!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks man!

[@patriciamunro493]

I'm 58 years old so exercises are critical for me

[@kellywalker8407]

Very, very interesting video. I always figured on getting an elk. The only question was how much time it took. It varied from year to year. But l'm going to fill the freezer that is for sure and certain. I guess I should add that I quit hunting elk. When it becomes more of a chore than a challenge and when you blow away a nice 6 point bull at 15 yds with a muzzle loader and feel like sh*t because you're fatten up a couple steers 45 minutes away back at the ranch......Well, it's time to quit killing elk. I might be one of the 5% you speak of.

[@35forlife1]

man it really reminds me of Ridgway Colorado where you sitting

[@greghertzberg6220]

Good stuff!

[@tomjohnson1204]

Cliff, your information comes from years of experience as an old hunter I can tell. I'm 65yrs old and recently retired and moved to Southern Colorado. We elk hunt the sangre de cristo s. Tough hunt but want to be one of the 5%ers. Any advice would help. Thx. Tnt.

[@rodwoods2108]

Use, buy, own high quality binoculars and use them. Practice shooting at least 450 yards. Make sure at 200 you never miss. Find the honey holes that alk frequent where you have to climb or walk about two hours before daylight and do it every day. Use the glasses to find these spots. Get cow tags and go every year, find a team and do it year after year. Hunt the whole season and do not give up.

[@VenJesusorg]

I agree on knowing the hunt area, I have killed four deer in five years within half a mile area.In public land. I mark the deer seen on my topo map every year. its amazing to see the pattern.

[@WyattHatch-w7g]

My family has been hunting the same mountain for mule deer and elk for five or six generations

[@tylowry5321]

Just moved to CO, I’ve never hunted elk but I’ve hunted turkey and whitetail plenty of times on private land and almost never go home empty handed. I’ve always done a lot of moving around and walking froM spot to spot and it works really well. I even killed a CO turkey on public land doing the same thing. Are elk that different?

[@CliffGray]

You will find that a lot of your experience rolls over… but Colorado public land elk in OTC units, I believe are the most difficult species to be consistent on in North America. The hunts are difficult logistically and most the elk in CO are relentlessly hunted for 3-4 months if the year. 👍

[@bobbysnow5478]

Thanks for the video! You mean if they get out of their truck?! Driving a forest road hoping to spot game!

[@Nathan-zw7nq]

*haven’t watched he whole video yet* I mean this applies to everything. I can’t remember what it’s called, but it is a known phenomenon. 5% of any given population in any field do approximately 80%-90% of all the work.

[@Northwoods208]

Our whitetails are ghosts (does included) and elk are most often just a puff of smoke, you really have to play the wind, and move SILENTLY, or you'll never even know they were there, and even if you do everything perfectly, heavily hunted elk and whitetail seem to have a sixth sense, they can feel your eyes on them or something. Mule deer on the other hand, the topography they're in around here is all that saves them (and a short season), cuz in my experience only the bigger bucks have half a brain around here, the does and smaller bucks will let you get way too close without too much effort 😂

[@Dan77845]

Went on my first elk hunt last year. We had a hard time finding g them and then at the final hour on our way down off the mountain we got in to them and almost killed a bull our first try. The hunts not over until it’s over.

[@CliffGray]

thats right!

[@jons2cool1]

I spent every weekend of this archery season in a spot and I've taken the first week off for rifle season. I know the area well but I'm worried during rifle season this spot will become too congested with hunters to the point that it won't be worth hunting. If I find that is the case I'm going to have to go against point number one of sticking with the same area.

[@trophyquestoutdoors]

Truth!!! Great video and information!!!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks for watching and the comment! thanks

[@curtisgore1611]

I need to hang out with you for about a year

[@Dlowr7]

How do you become a specific area super well when you draw a tag for an area when its a 5 hour drive from your house?