LESSONS LEARNED: 3 For 3 On General Season BULLS in Montana

[@Fresh_Tracks]

What other tips would you add from your successful elk hunts?

[@markendicott5070]

Persistence, just cuz you haven’t seen anything all day, things can change in the drop of a hat. Stay at it. And have fun with it.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

@@markendicott5070 We again validated that principle this weekend in Colorado.

[@fishawnjosh69]

Randy, I am hunting Southwest WY Oct 15 - 30 (Post-Rut rifle). I know they are in Solitary Mode and Recovery. Problem is, I know its a glassing game but what if I can't get to good vantage points to glass 3 to 5 miles because of the limited tall peaks and lots of private land. I know where I would like to be, but it is thick terrain and can get lots of other hunting pressure. I want to get away from crowds and wonder if I should be scanning lower country where its rolling hills with Junipers and sage (approx 7500 ft in elevation) or is that too low? It snowed 11 OCT 3 to 6 inches at 8500 ft and higher. I finally drew this General Elk Tag and I don't want to waste it on a cow or rag horn. Not looking for a record, just a mature class bull.

[@gutshotaz2805]

@@Fresh_Tracks Congratulations!!!

[@nickjirele1491]

@@fishawnjosh69, this doesn't quite address your high vs low scanning inquiry, but it might be the game-changer where you don't need to worry about it altogether. If you're in need of prime glassing where private land comes into play, it could be worth just getting in touch with some of those landowners and asking about permission solely for glassing purposes? Even if they have other hunters using their property, you might have luck if you make it clear that you just want to glass, would respect their property/land, and make it as evident as possible how much a few words would be appreciated by you and your hunting party ("Yes, you can glass"). For contact info, Whitepages.com has a premium membership that's around $10/month and you can cancel at any time. Type in a name and you've now got what you need to contact them. If the land is owned by a business, you'll have luck doing a business search on the state's official Secretary of State website (ie - google "WY business search"). Look at who the registered agent is and you've now got a name for whitepages. Lastly, stopping by someone's place just to say "hi" and connect with people could be a good alternative if you can't get in touch over the phone? Even if they don't give you permission or might not be the people you need to get in touch with, more likely than not you'll open doors to others that'd be willing to help you out or provide better intel on the elk in your hunting area. I'm in MT right now on a DIY for my first ever elk hunt and brought along some MN goodies to give away with the mindset that I'd meet nice people. You'd be amazed at how far coffee or beer and good conversations go... I went from learning how to use a diaphragm call on the 1,100 mile journey and setting up my initial camp in a horse crap infested campsite with 10+ trailers (other hunters), to now being mentored by an avid elk hunter with 40+ years of experience in the area, having an awesome rate at a comfy motel 10 minutes away from good spots, and recently got permission to hunt 150+ elk that mainly reside on private land. Beverages, convo's, and thank you cards.

[@markschnittker4770]

This is what I call "learning the animal" and I believe it to be the most important information a hunter can have. This presentation is good in that it is generalized, and not specific to any one location. I would love to see all 5 seasons broken down based on what the animal is interested in and what pressures (hunting, weather, wolves, other bulls) forces their behavior. From that, a hunter should be able to adapt the information to their specific latitude and situation. This is all about learning to be a better hunter. Really great stuff and I thank you for sharing your hard learned experience with us.

[@backfire]

Such a joy to watch a truly great teacher sharing knowledge. Bonus points for being about hunting.

[@to8860]

Thank you Randy!! Went this year at 57 years old and I'm going back from Illinois one more time next year for a solo bow elk hunt. I had and amazing trip!! Had a few opportunities but never got close enough. Thanks for all you do!!

[@JohnERingo-oh9iy]

You have a natural and clear style of teaching, I would watch ANY videos you make about your methods for big game hunting and how you approach situations. You should do more of these breakdowns for hunts you were challenged by, success or failure.

[@mrichards1234]

Great explanation Randy on how to hunt smart and effectively. I love the "use trails but don't hunt them" tactic. I'm a deer hunter for now (blacktail & mulies) but I listen to all your elk talk podcasts and videos like these and just translate the strategy to deer. So far so good, I'm consistently pulling out mature bucks the last couple of seasons. It would be fun to see you do an entire 5-phase mule deer season breakdown and map all the elk strategies to mulies. These post analyses of all your hunts are great, successful or skunked!

[@typicalsgt6935]

You’re the best Randy! Sent to my dad and his friend. We’re headed to Colorado in 78 with 5 horses! Been following you for years and I’ve learned so much! First time for me in Colorado. I’m a disabled veteran so I’ve always hunted Idaho!

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Thanks for your service. Good luck this season.

[@larsmartinson4187]

With all of the people hunting this year, after the second week of bow almost all of the elk I've gotten into are very call shy. Maybe a video on over-pressured elk in bow/rifle season would be a good video.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Not a bad idea.

[@thistledewoutdoors3331]

In CO, everywhere has human traffic because there is tons of backpackers combined with those who do the horseback ranches & whatnot..... I would almost bet that there is equally as many people out there all summer long.

[@jamesarslanian3377]

Thank you for taking the time to identify and explain in simple terms the important lessons learned from your referenced successful elk hunt. Extremely insightful, educational, and helpful information. GREAT - GREAT stuff. I had previously watched (2 or 3 times) the hunt you used for this 3 for 3 Elk and lessons learned episode, and must confess I don't recall picking up on all 5 lessons (strategies/tactics) used. Rather, I was imagining being part of the hunting party, enjoying the experiences. (Yes, living vicariously thru y'all!!!) Doing the post hunt review, analysis, and clearly identifying what worked and didn't work is exactly what sports teams and coaches do all the time. Motivates me to overcome 2 bad knees, get in good physical condition and get back to hunting, hiking and enjoying such experiences again. Even at 60, there's lots of hunts to do. WY antelope and mule deer. Alaska and Canada moose and mountain caribou, MT elk . . . Then there's the paddle fishing, and . . . . . .

[@shanedupont9116]

What has made this channel such a huge success is that it has always shown both the successes and failures. This channel excels at showing the reality of hunting public land out West. Elk hunting ain’t easy. Seeing a skilled hunter like Randy not filling his tag makes me realize that “even the best will struggle” sometimes and it gives me encouragement not to give up. I’m 0 for 2 on Colorado Elk and I’m going back in 3 weeks. I’ll keep trying!

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Keep at it.

[@garystephens4465]

These videos are hands down the most informative, and easy to understand that I've had the pleasure to watch. Randy,you narrate perfectly. Its my intention to put some of your knowledge to use next year in Wyoming or Montana. Thanks for these awesome videos,enjoy them all.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Glad you like them!

[@kenferrier7751]

My son and I have been fans/followers for years. I've really appreciated the Lessons Learned episodes. I know "sanctuary" areas are usually a considerable distance from easy access. Beyond that, can you give a few characteristics of what constitutes a sanctuary...deep timber, near ridge crest, oak brush, etc? We hunt 3rd Rifle Season in CO. near Meeker/Flattops. Hoping this year will be the year. Thanks for all the insights and encouragement you give.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

As a general definition...."A place hunters prefer to avoid." It can be due to distance, steep uphill/downhill topography, a stretch of nasty blowdown that must be traversed, a hillside of thick oak brush that hunters don't want to fight through to get to the elk on the other side, etc. If you look at a spot and say, "I'd hate to haul an elk out of there." odds are you are looking at a potential post-rut or late season sanctuary.

[@kenferrier7751]

@@Fresh_Tracks Thanks so much for the feedback. I can think of a few hell-holes that match your description.

[@lftysmit]

Randy, your layout and strategy for finding elk is proven and brilliant. What do you recommend for the ever elusive Mulie Buck? Do you have any prior episodes or strategies you can recommend for the different seasons and terrains. Keep it up, its always fun to see your adventures along with you and your crews’ willingness to get after it on the hunts.

[@stevenfields4422]

I second that

[@stevenfields4422]

Exactly what he said Randy Does the same break down work on mule deer bucks as well

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Glad you like our elk stuff. I'm not a mule deer expert, so I hesitate to provide the same content about mule deer. But, I hang out with some mule deer junkies and this season we are using the benefit of their experiences to start building a library of mule deer information that parallels our elk information. I will be more of the student and they will be the teachers. Some of this will start coming out next spring.

[@stevecrader3479]

Randy, thank you so much for the information you continue to pour out. I personally know so many of us "whitetail" guys getting ready to dive into the "elk zone" (or have just started) and these videos are an enormous source of knowledge and encouragement. You give us the "I can do this" reinforcement sir. Thank you Randy

[@gamehunter07]

Great video Randy! Thank you for all your insights and knowledge you've gained. You hit the nail right on the head, and given us all something to think about when hunting elk.

[@freda7871]

Thanks for your videos, Randy. Just got back from a solo DIY OTC Elk in South Colorado. Had two buddies cancel but I was committed so went in. I appreciate the mindset talks you give and work smarter tactics. I learned a lot of what I didn't know. Your vids are part of my lessons learned in preps for next year.

[@josephrogers8213]

Two less Buddies

[@bobalvarez2577]

Randy, first off, thank you for what you do! Would love to see more of this kind of content. Very helpful

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Thanks! Will do!

[@Stickinit]

Thanks for the good tips on all your "how too" stuff. Sitting in the truck now going to to use then in the morning.

[@RenaissanceThinking]

Good luck out there.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

You bet

[@brodiewright5188]

Randy you’re doing it man, you got the best information put forward in a clear way, I can’t tell you how many guys I’ve told about you and your channel, I know you’ve gone over it a time or two before but I think you could tell people how you glass an area. What land features you actually look for like north face trees or shade at particular times of the day. I was new to elk hunting 2 years ago and have learned everything I know from you. Now I’m taking guys up and showing them how to do it. We recently found out we’re not going to be able to hunt our normal area due to fires (CO gmu161) and now I’m scrambling to find other suitable units. Any advice for e-scouting a particular areas features that might give elk a sanctuary? Steep grades, directional tree cover or forage? Your gerber knives are sold out at Loveland CO Sportsman’s Warehouse. So you are definitely doing something right!!! Keep it up love the content.

[@alext4319]

The fire was in unit 6 and mainly Wyoming

[@FALC0N75]

Thank you Randy and Team for always putting out excellent content. I would love to learn more about both Elk and Bears in the different seasons and hearing both success and failure is important.

[@shandrawilson9406]

I would love a "lessons learned" on muleys. So appreciated this episode of lesson learned as we spent 2 weeks in Idaho at the end of October, one of the weeks it snowed! Thanks for your insight

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Our pleasure!

[@jodyreavis4051]

Randy you mentioned travel corridors from summer to winter range. Discussion on what to look for when e scouting and things you have observed would be good add as part of the lessons learned.

[@ronlongwellphoto]

This is the most concise explanation of “how to” in regards to public land, DIY elk hunting that I’ve heard. Thank you, Randy!!! I’d love to see this kind of breakdown for antelope and mule deer. For us eastern hunters planning our first western trips, there’s a huge learning curve.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Glad it helps.

[@franksharples5708]

The ideas are invaluable, thanks for what you do! I grew up in Northcentral MT still have a lot of close family there. In fact grew up where a good guy you know grew up as well up on the hi-line. Well anyhow, now I’m trying to navigate hunting AZ, and the tips are super helpful

[@timberridgeoutdoors_243]

Nice video! Just walked into a local sporting goods store to buy a general rifle elk tag and I looked up above the counter and they were playing one of you antelope hunting videos. I watched for a bit and then left. Anyways it was good to see a familiar face.

[@skippylippy547]

This is EXACTLY the kind of information I am looking for. Thank you Randy. Nicely done!

[@larryguenther9009]

Great piece. I'm heading out to Montana, general, public-lands elk. It's been warm, but it's cold and snow is coming. I'll let you know how it went!

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Good luck.

[@JustFishing1489]

Thanks for this video. I really like the lessons learned videos and both the what we did right and what we did wrong videos are helpful.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nrspence8258]

Great info Randy and gang. More videos like this would be great. Sure appreciate you sharing your real world hunting videos and experiences.

[@kevinmullin9717]

Awesome! "Professor" Newberg" !! :-) I'm on the backside of 60 now, but I matriculated in Big Game Hunting in Washington State (and a former Iowa farm boy). At any rate , It never occurred to me, that, other than a 4 day Washington elk season randomly overlapping a herd migration, that there was any science to hunting Elk. I have a proverbial welt on my forehead from your educational videos.

[@kylestansbury3131]

Thanks for the insight...I like the insight and concept oriented approach.

[@johnandunisha]

I would really love to see a video about strategies for elk in Northwest Montana!

[@ilovesheepmutton7614]

We watch your channel often and apply the tactics on our hunt and so far been able to fill our tags Thank you

[@Fresh_Tracks]

That is awesome!

[@run2september23]

Great video, I've learned over years of elk hunting, and I very much consider can I get it out before I'll go after one, I've learned the hard way to pick battles carefully.

[@bobalvarez2577]

Extremely helpful! Love this kind of format. Thank you guys

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@williammitchell8612]

Outstanding instruction, and very appreciated! Randy, I'm renaming you Professor Backcountry, who has a doctoral program in Elkology!!! I'm like a sponge soaking up your experience and wisdom. Love it, and many thanks to you, sir.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Glad I can help.

[@davidbstump308]

Great job Randy I really enjoyed this strategy and tips video. I like how you added film and picture examples would like to see more even about deer, elk., bear. Keep them coming gonna try out your new Gerber knife this season...Thank you David from Washington

[@troysmith6632]

Randy great videos, I haven't hunted in quite a few years ( since I was 22 raising a family and trying to establish myself with a career couldn't afford to do any big game hunting ) and have recently fell back in love with hunting, ( now 46 years old, families grown and out the house) I live in Arizona and picked up an over the counter Javelina archery tag. I know most of the people who watch your videos watch them for the deer and elk tactics, but maybe you could do a video on Javelina tactics especially over the counter tags. or even an over the counter tag tactics for deer and elk. thanks and keep up the great work, your videos are very informative and entertaining.

[@hammitr]

Good stuff as usual! Plus I got to practice with my spotting scope to read your notes.

[@jwjenkins421]

I've really enjoyed all of these videos.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Glad to hear it!

[@Adam_Bileckyj]

Thank you so much for making these!!!

[@jessemoffett3150]

Great info. Thanks for all you do!

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidgzik3080]

Thanks for information.....we found that sometimes you need to pattern the hunters also....are they just concentrating on one place or using the same trails over and over?maybe just by moving over a little bit or hunting that side draw is all you need to do.We have killed more than one elk with in a few yards of a fairly busy forest service road.They will there because it was the safest place for them to be. Guess I'm just lazy.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Patterning the hunting pressure, or at least trying to anticipate how elk will respond to hunting pressure, is given a lot of consideration in our planning. This video shows some of that.

[@stacyshell3126]

First off in want too say thank you for all of your information. In leaving out this Sunday on my first public land Colorado elk hunt. I hope to put some of not all your tactics to work.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Go get 'em!

[@j.dalemorgan2975]

Awesom! Great lessons.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Glad you liked it

[@thomasthornton7009]

Just got back from my first elk hunt, a type 6 tag in western WY. This is pretty much everything that led to not filling my tag. We didn’t glass enough and we hunted too much like we were hunting whitetail deer. We found areas with sign off the trail and a good wind, and waited. Saw lots of mule deer and a bull moose this way, but only saw elk while driving to spots.

[@TheHybridHunter307]

This is great! Thanks for sharing. As far as elk, I find that right now, mid-Oct, is the toughest time to fill a tag. Woods are full of hunters and the rut is over. Late Sept/early Oct is the toughest time to kill a Mule Deer

[@Fresh_Tracks]

I agree. I always say the hardest time to kill a public land bull elk on highly pressured areas is the post-rut period, which I usually look to as October 15-31. That difficulty is why many states can have general seasons during that time and still not over-harvest the elk.

[@ralphwoodworth5693]

Great video. You just saved me miles of unneeded walking. Thank you for the greatest tip I've learned from you.

[@JaredFrasier]

Has someone who lost both his archery season and just found out that my rifle season block management/public access point elk spot was sold at the 11th hour... I'm hitting the drawing board pretty late and this was super helpful!

[@Dose.of.Outdoors]

awesome video. I think the glassing then initiating a game plan is a simple but very important tactic in hunting all types of species. Strategies on stalk hunting whitetails? thanks

[@gabelaturner1679]

Thanks for the great tips!!

[@jimskoreyko9899]

Thanks for your knowledge. It has helped me alot

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Glad to hear that!

[@marckenney979]

Thank you for these lessons learned videos. They are very helpful. I'd love to see some on specific calling scenarios for elk. Setup, wind, terrain, calls used, how often you called and why, would a decoy help? I'm always analysing my hunts and this is one aspect I'd love to see explored more. It seems like if I'm expecting option A or B, the elk come at me with X, Y, or Z or some other tactic I've never experienced. I figure the more I watch the more I learn, the better prepared I'll be. Thanks.

[@brentcarter8006]

Great lesson Randy, thank you.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

You bet.

[@joebabcock3464]

I really like this format!

[@rwmagnus]

Less than a week to go before leaving for my elk hunt. The best part is NO POLITICAL ADS. One more Harley Ruda ad about taxes and I’m going to puke. Oh yea great vid Randy. This ones for me as I’m in the 2nd rifle season!

[@tt600pch]

Sadly a Creepy Joe ad just popped up...15 seconds of dementia. Love to watch Randy go, go. go.

[@paule6035]

Thanks for the info Randy. Good stuff. A video digging more into what to look for in a transition range would be helpful. You and your team have years of experience breaking down elk migration routes. Y’all probably have documented multiple migration routes that elk use year after year. How do I find and start to decipher migration routes in my elk hunting area?

[@dannyneal6194]

Very informative lessons learned.

[@jimjackson5836]

Great Stuff Randy!!!!

[@johnlacey5626]

When I first saw your video on this hunt last year I was amazed and couldn't help think there was some luck involved or you had some insider knowledge. With this lessons learned video I now realize how much depth and knowledge actually led to this success. Thanks so much for breaking it down like this. It gives me hope that I could also have success more frequently than I do. one question is how does drought or a wet fall change the game?

[@jaredbutero722]

Randy, Can you please demonstrate your finishing moves such as the the belly to belly suplex, five knuckle shuffle, frog splash and the figure four toe hold? Thank you for explaining how to be victorious in a triple threat match!

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Well, the one we keep under wraps until the going gets rough is the DDT, made famous by Jake the Snake Roberts. Once we decide to pull out the DDT, the elk are all but done for. 😆

[@clarkansas6590]

Great lesson Professor!

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Glad you liked it!

[@touge242]

Many more of these videos please. I'm new to hunting and I find most of the entertainment oriented videos too light on information. This 20 minute video summarized the useful tips from easily hours worth of content

[@derrickwarner9578]

I am going to Colorado late season otc elk hunting this year. I will be all by myself. Should I invest in a spotting scope or what size binocular would I be able to use to glass with to cover the hundreds of yards or like you said miles of terrain?

[@ANMBCRrule]

Randy, the one video I would love to see from you guys would be a how to video for Paddle Fish. I am in Wyoming and want to take a trip up north to fish for Paddle fish. It seems like Marcus has them down to a science. Keep up the amazing work.

[@DrDanTDC]

Loved it 👍

[@courtneylang7477]

Great video. Love the tips and tricks. No need to invest a lot of time pre- or post-production of these helpful videos. Just you in front of a dry erase board works. I would like to see some recaps of your hunts where you could show where you set up camp in relation to where you planned to hunt, where you were positioned for glassing, where you spotted the elk (or deer or antelope), how you made your stalk, etc. Not looking for GPS coordinates or for you to burn a spot. Just looking for better visualization of how things played out.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Working on that.

[@Split5th]

Randy Newberg, so I have been out for 5 years now hunting Elk and deer and still have yet to tag out or even getting close to one. This video makes so much sense now. I live in utah where a lot of hunters don't like to help others out with suggestions. This is also my first year doing archery. What advice would you give me on what I'm doing wrong?

[@brian761]

@split 5th Hey bud most of the issues hunters have is time of the hunt. If your hunting deer in October you need to understand that a buck will not want to get out of a bedding area and will be deep away from everyone. They are not ready for the rut. Elk on the other hand are easy to hunt during the rut but once that ends and the first gun shot takes place they move deep into the mountains. Don’t give up. Your are hunting an smart animal that has gone through the Wild West were they killed all the Buffalo and each year they have been shot at. I imagine your issue is you pick a spot and don’t want to leave. They way we hunt in NM is to find the elk. We move camp until we find the elk or deer. We look for what they are doing during the year. If it is extremely hot and dry find a water hole. They have to drink just like us. If there is a lot of moisture look for food that they eat. If you want to just talk and I can help explain what I would do. Let me know we can do a quick call. My family taught me a lot about hunting hopefully I can pass it on to you.

[@brandonwynn2287]

Great video. I remember your 2016 colorado bull. Thanks to your insight I've found elk in my trusty ol deer area 4 years ago I didn't believe there was elk in there. Im still on the journey to success i know their summer range i have a pretty good idea on their transition and winter range. Thanks a ton to you and your crew. 41 years old hopefully this will be the year of my 1st branch antler bull.🤞

[@Fresh_Tracks]

I hope it all comes together this year.

[@bjkraushaar]

Randy, thanks for the great content. This is really useful info for beginning hunters. Something I'm curious about are strategies/tactics for hunting different types of vegetation-terrain combinations (i.e. high-alpine burns on steep slopes vs timber on rolling hills). As one example, I'm curious about strategies for hunting a transition range late-season/post-rut that isn't wide open place where you can glass for miles. Thanks again for the great "lessons learned" content.

[@robertgerharttreeservice3984]

Randy, can you do the same thing for archery rut where to find them. we are planning a trip to Montana 2021.

[@Sparky-vg8wo]

What?

[@robertgerharttreeservice3984]

@@Sparky-vg8wo where they like to stay high or low on the mountain etc...

[@Sparky-vg8wo]

@@robertgerharttreeservice3984 I think it depends on we're you hunt, in Az you can find them low and high, usually the rut is later in the low country, this year was a very dry year so in most states so that might also affect it, we had a tough year in AZ.

[@DaveyJfromWI]

2nd rifle otc elk and draw muley hunt on public land in sw CO in about 2 weeks. It's been warm. The moon will be full by the 2nd weekend. I have a hunch the hunters will be out in record numbers. Good thing is we have the whole week and pressure usually lightens up after the first weekend. You can only get so far away from a road before hitting another road. What do you consider away from roads as far as distance goes? In your experience when opening weekend pressure pushes animals away are they gone for the season or do things get better later in the week?

[@45auto]

Where do we find the information on winter range/transition zones in our respective areas? Forest Service/Wildlife Management Area offices, etc?

[@markendicott5070]

Talk to a fish and game biologist

[@redman17073]

Randy, these videos are great. Ive never been elk hunting but plan to go next year and have learns a lot from watching your videos. Thank you

[@thinkngskeptic]

Does the meat cover the cost of the llamas?

[@JonStpeter]

That was awesome....it was really helpful in connecting some dots for me. I think more information like this would be super useful. How to break down an area into ranges and sanctuary, how to examine an area of the presence of elk, how do you really understand what is happening, how to evaluate and examine food sources, etc. I own the elk of N america by Olaus Murie, but it might as well be in greek if you're not a biologist. Even a simple field guide with pictures would be helpful to ID plants that elk prefer over others....anyway, thanks and keep it up.

[@D3l3ri0us]

Great info as usual!! What do you do for peak rut archery when you’re not seeing/hearing elk and you’re seeing a ton of sign, but it’s old? We covered our areas A-F, but never could find the elk. Also, how do you age scat when it’s in a burn area? I would think the ash pulls every bit of moisture out of it very quickly, so a discussion on this would be helpful as you talk about hunting burns a lot.

[@craigambroson2482]

Craig Ambroson Another informative video. Keep presenting the good,the bad and the ugly---I learn something from each and learning from mistakes turns them into lessons. Thanks for your teaching.

[@johnspadaro4755]

Question regarding tactics - I hunt on private land, the Elk herd descends a mountain side behind our cabin in the late afternoon to enter an Alfalfa field after dark. I can glass the herd following trails down the side of the mountain. The logical thing to do is to position somewhere within shooting range of the trail. Unfortunately the herd always seems to follow a different path down the mountain. It is impossible to know where they will make the decent. Once they get to the spot where they enter the fields to feed it is too dark. Any suggestions?

[@jwilliams38930]

Randy, if you could expound on the ranges, migration, and such that would be of interest.

[@walterlaub7229]

Where do you get the public land t shirts from??

[@hugosindelar6937]

shop.randynewberg.com/products/hunt-like-you-own-it-t-shirt

[@406MountainMan]

Awesome breakdown, Randy. Thanks! How do I figure out migration corridors in any particular location? Could you touch on what you look for when hunting a new area?

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Your state wildlife agency will have that migration information. Might take a bit of Google sleuthing, but it is out there.

[@connorjohnson3113]

One thing I would really appreciate is tips on how to fill the freezer. I really enjoy all of your videos and I have watched OYOA and Fresh Tracks several times through. Would you be able to spend a little time on not necessarily hunting bulls, but hunting cows just to fill the freezer? Thanks Randy!

[@bmills3252]

I’ve killed a lot of elk hiking off trail and making moves on fresh tracks. Areas where glassing isn’t an option. Glassing is a major advantage.

[@garretth1863]

My question is if your scouting day is during the legal season and you see elk would you hunt them even if it took the rest of the day? Or leave them to scout more ground?

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Go get them. I never leave elk to find elk.

[@garretth1863]

@@Fresh_Tracks thank you

[@CHUCKSTER6111]

i would love to figure out a good way to find bear? and also more failures that we can learn from

[@deet_boii]

Randy your an amazing teacher. Your both experienced and not motivated by money, ie you don't want to sell me an app or pay you to come make my land better. I would love to hear about the deer hunting lessons from your hunts in the south. I hunt in Florida and North Carolina public land for whitetail every year and I'd be very interested in seeing your strategy for more wooded areas like the south east, where glassing isn't as big a factor. Ive never been able to see further than a few hundred yards on public land much less a mile. Power lines are over hunted on public and the view doesn't justify the fight for a spot.

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

Now those guys on the trail know your tricks 😁

[@JavierLopez-mu5hc]

Thanks for this video, it will really help me with my hunts. How is Bow doing?

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Beau is undergoing some experimental treatments that have some tough side effects. He is fighting through and he is confident that it will all be OK. He is in our prayers. Thanks for thinking of him.

[@JavierLopez-mu5hc]

@@Fresh_Tracks He is in our prayers too.🙏

[@Ruger41mag]

Do you have a recommendation for a top quality Antelope outfitter in Wyoming? Great LL video - thx!

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Yes. My buddy Eli Grimmett who owns Pronghorn Guide Service. Best pronghorn hunters in the country, hands down.

[@Ruger41mag]

@@Fresh_Tracks Most excellent - thanks!

[@devinmitchell3073]

November 5-10 would you consider that late season or post rut?

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Late season. I go by the notion that late season is November 1 and later.

[@Bneumanns124]

What about elk that are not in mountains/foothills? A lot of elk here in Alberta can be found in "big bush country" outside of the mountain and foothill ranges - basically just huge swathes of forest, interspersed with bogs, clear-cuts, and encircled by farmland. Seeing as there wouldn't be much change in elevation here in these areas, in your experience, how would that affect where elk would be?

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Depends on the time of year. Their needs change a lot from September 1 to December 1. They will be wherever they can satisfy their primary need at that time of year. We've done ton of videos here on this channel about the four basic needs and how those needs change within each calendar period.

[@thistledewoutdoors3331]

What is considered a "Big Snowstorm" out west ??? In MN & WI a big storm is over 12" of snow fall & drifts will be 4' or higher......

[@ReileyMcClendon]

I'd like to see more content about hunting deer in the idaho/montana/Wyoming area. Whether that be strategy videos, hunts, whatever.

[@cardiocasey]

I like this. I would like it on SE Montana deer

[@nicholasgrzych1008]

Everyone learns more from failure than from success. These times make us look at our decision making process and refine it to become successful in the future. So to answer your question, I would like to hear more about your failures. That's how I personally learn & share with others about my own to make the biggest impact.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

We've got lots of failures and those are mostly what we show on these "lessons learned" episodes.

[@alexstarlow582]

I am from Missouri and a buddy of mine and I really want to hunt for elk on public land out West. Our concern is that if only one of us is lucky enough to get a tag can the other one assist the other in hunting elk? Obviously that unlucky soul would not be carrying a gun or bow but can he/she assist with scouting and tracking an elk? It seems I have read that in some instances, if you do not have a tag to hunt then you cannot be in the woods assisting someone with a tag. Any truth to that? What about extraction? Can anyone help you carry it out after the kill or do they need a tag as well? Sorry if my questions sound ridiculous.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

The person without a tag can assist all they want. Lots of folks in the west don't hunt, but they help with packout and usually get a good pile of elk meat as a "share of the harvest" for helping with a pack out. You should all apply, if you can. Whoever draws a tag will hunt and, if possible, the others can help with scouting, glassing, packing, and in the process learn a ton about hunting elk.

[@alexstarlow582]

@@Fresh_Tracks Thank you for the information. We hope to get out there and hunt. The reason for my question is because of what I read about the state I live, Missouri, specifically stated only those with a license can be in the woods during elk season. No assistance. Thanks again for your reply. You produce really great content.

[@scottglew9641]

What about those elk that never leave east of Bozeman foothills residents shoot in there yards are those subspecies of elk

[@Fresh_Tracks]

I leave them to the residents who control the access and I go find elk somewhere else.

[@simonh3496]

It would be nice to see if you could show what they were actually eating when you spotted them, help us learn what grasses, forbs food that they look especially during each each period.

[@justdewit]

Should have watched this before I went on my first ever Colorado hunt last weekend. I literally saw zero out. Lots of sign like rubbing and tracks and scat but not a single animal...

[@Huntnlady7]

You've got to take them where you can get them!