OVER FIFTY Colorado PUBLIC LAND BULLS - Lessons Learned with Elk Guide Evan Koster

[@NHBackcountryGuide]

21:41 Elk Hunting Tactics Discussion starts

[@CliffGray]

Thanks John.

[@ericharrington2509]

When Evan mentioned how one guy said it was one of the most memorable experiences hunting and successfully killing a bull elk . I can totally relate. I am 65 and grew up in the Maine woods hunting whitetails , turkeys and a few moose hunts . Went on my first DIY elk hunt in 2021 . Got lucky and drew a tag in northeastern NM . Put some good tires on , threw my camping gear in along with my Hoochie Mama . Got out there a few days before open day . Scouted , found and heard elk . Sat on an active wallow and had the most spiritual experience of my hunting career. Heard a bull up above me hiking in . Waited for daylight , hit my call and could hear him coming down to me , walked by at 20 yards and I made a perfect heart shot . Not just a nice bull but an Imperial Bull . It was the most powerful beautiful spiritual experience I have ever had in the wilderness . I had had a really tough couple of years and this was the way the good Lord showed me to hang in there …. Thanks for your podcast and sharing your wisdom . It’s all good stuff from gathering your gear to reading and listening to other hunters to nocking an arrow.

[@CliffGray]

thanks for sharing your story. that is awesome

[@CoachGoodwin23]

Great pod-cast. Love it! Thanks Cliff. I'm a CO native. Another important factor that a lot of hunters forget is hydration. Nothing works right without the proper hydration. As a CO native, I see dudes every year fail because they are dehydrated and they don't even realize it. You MUST hydrate several days before you get to the west! You body needs sleep and water!!!! Love it guys, thank you.

[@bryanmoorefield8890]

Water is life in the mountains

[@CliffGray]

For sure! Great additional point for folks to focus and prep for. Hydration is key

[@jerbow6376]

One of the best podcasts ever. Lessons on elk success can apply to any success in life. Very interesting that top 3 things to archery elk success had absolutely nothing to do with archery or woodsmanship skills. Top 3 items applicable to every type of success, from marriage to career to elk hunting.

[@CliffGray]

Absolutely! Thanks for the comment.

[@tommarymarking1579]

Oh man, the cow sound discussion was REALLY interesting. Those old cows are really sharp and can pin point you to the bush and they know when you screw up on a cow call. The grandma cows are my nemisis.

[@CliffGray]

Fore sure!

[@StephenBradshaw-y9p]

The hypothetical example Evan gave early in the video was really close to my FTWG hunt last year! That was the most exciting "thing" I've ever done. Evan is an amazing hunter, guide, and person! I had to skip this year's FTWG hunt this year, but I'm planning on hunting with them every year until I'm 80.

[@Maverickish3]

Going on my first elk hunt this September and this content is exactly what I’m looking for. Total noon here but feels like I’ve found gold. Be fit, be tough, be happy. Thank you gentlemen!

[@bryanmoorefield8890]

I’ve been elk hunting for 15 years, I just love and live for pods like this. I’ve picked up several tips with this. I drawn an elk and mule deer tag for wilderness area in Colorado. I always do it solo. I’m 68 and still doing it. Life is great🏹🏹🌲🏔️⛺️

[@CliffGray]

Good luck on those tags man!

[@lpyogi]

Nice. I've got a muley and elk tag for bow season in 77,78,771. Solo backcountry hunting.

[@bryanmoorefield8890]

@@lpyogi I’m in 7 love the solo, I can hunt my way and only have my self to blame 🏹⛺️🌲🏔️

[@ryanolson2430]

I dream of this for my future.

[@ryanolson2430]

You guys said a lot of nieve things with elk hunting. You sound like rookies, or you are set in your ways. I learn things from you, but mornings and evenings have not been important. On public land I will call in 30 bulls to bow range during a week. All day long accept for the first and last hour of the day. I have never taken a nap, I'm chasing bulls while you sleep. I could not hunt with you. Be efficient with your time yet nap? You are strange.

[@douglasasano4529]

Two of the best guides, outfitters and guys in the business! I’ve hunted with both and you won’t find better elk professors.

[@jordanhart6793]

Maybe the best archery elk content I’ve listened to in 4 years! Thanks guys!

[@CliffGray]

👊🏻👍

[@prez803]

Great info, as always. I archery hunt CO in high-pressure units every year, and I've found that elk do indeed bugle, but you might only get one bugle back from them. I find that they'll sneak up on you without making a sound sometimes. So if I've located one nearby and he stops talking, I'll set up and throw out some calls and wait for about 15 minutes before I start moving again. On more than a few occasions, I just kept walking cause I didn't hear anything and then bumped them cause they were moving in on me quietly. And you're absolutely right about getting sleep when you can. Hunting is really the art of napping.

[@CliffGray]

For sure! Good tip on sneaky bulls coming in silent, too 👍

[@hummervee3395]

You and Evan are gold together!

[@claywhite3919]

Great job, there was SO much truth in this podcast. It was especially uplifting to learn that everybody goes through the grinder before getting proficient - thanks guys!

[@CliffGray]

thanks!

[@codychristie1655]

30 years 2 states Wyoming and 7:32 Montana and 3 weapons bow rifle amd pistol over the counter general resident elk tags and 2 limited emtry tags and this fall i start year 31 looking for bull #25 I love this podcast Cliff's podcast is on the top of my list I love listening he talkes of real life elk and how if truely can be. Finally someone on here not blowing smoke or selling snake oil!!

[@jacksonsmith5985]

Probably the best ek hunting podcast I’ve ever heard.

[@westernsoutherner1]

Great interview. I agree that about the bugling. When you find them you hear them. I had a bull bugle at 1030pm 300 yards away from my camp one night as the full moon came over the ridge. Didnt sleep a lick. Called him in at 9am the next morning- much later than I expected. He was so sneaky and used the shadows. Got him in close but not close enough!

[@brianrobinson1975]

i had the pleasure of being guided by Evan on a moose hunt he is absolutely the real deal

[@CliffGray]

Yes he is 👍

[@marksweeney6260]

Fantastic show, men! First timer and you guys are great!

[@CliffGray]

thank you!

[@thebleeb1681]

I'm 3 for 10 in OTC rifle season in Colorado public land. I go way back in, and it's getting harder for an east coast lowlander as I age through the 60's. Last year I took a 7x7 Imperial bull, which makes all the effort (and pain) worth it.

[@zacharyphelan]

Best pod so far Cliff.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks man. Appreciate it

[@michaelruiz2872]

Awesome, I'm ready for my life to be changed. I need to get good on rifle hunts before I attempt archery. Your black belt level talks keeps me optimistic on the possibilities.... thanks

[@CliffGray]

Just a matter of time man!!!

[@carlosargueta3511]

Very informative i got my first archery bull tag this year thanks a lot

[@GotOneOutdoors]

East coast hunter here, preparing for my second elk hunt in September. My brothers and I did a DIY public land bow hunt in CO, two seasons ago where we somehow managed to stumble across a decent herd of elk with a bull screaming. (We really know nothing) Got to within 100 yards before a cow busted us. I wish I had this information then... Great video!

[@Ryan-jz2hc]

Really great guest and discussion! Much appreciated! Learned a lot, being a relatively inexperienced Elk hunter myself.

[@kansascitysmoked6263]

That was one of the best podcasts around elk hunting that I’ve listened to in a long time. I’m headed back out opening day this year and Colorado from my second solo hunt. Half my time will be down south of Aspen and the other half if needed in the flat tops.

[@GrowinwithAJ]

im going this sept- to try otc for the first time. im a disabled vet and have done many things but elk is at the top of the list. this was a great video

[@CliffGray]

Glad you enjoyed it. Good luck man 👊🏻👍

[@GrowinwithAJ]

@@CliffGray thanks

[@garrettsmith6679]

Wow this was great thanks Cliff, you asked all the right questions.

[@CliffGray]

Glad it was helpful man 👊🏻👍

[@kenraterink]

My fastest/ quickest kills on elk have been with mechanical broadheads, both rage extreme 2.3"... and also my worst experience, one i backed out and left overnight was a hybrid mechanical head... meat was 100% good the next morning. Got very luck there. 1 that i lost the meat on by leaving overnight when i lost knife and went back to camp for knife then had 1 section i didn't mark well, before handheld gps, and I couldn't locate before dark.. it was cold even, snowed a little bit that night.... i have both heads in my quiver now but usually grab fixed head for elk

[@FlyingVFan]

Damn. Another banger. Thanks for sharing Cliff!

[@adrianjagmag]

I live at 6500 ft and go a bit higher when bushcrafting and this is all seriously underrated advice, get your lungs working hard thrice a week if not everyday, train to have the necessary endurance and also train to be able to carry the necessary loads.

[@justins1465]

This podcast was excellent. I’m listening to it again, and catch anything I may have missed and put pointers into my plan of attack in September.

[@jeffjohnson3302]

You 2 nailed archery elk hunting!

[@jeffreyadams5017]

Completely agree on the broad head issue, fixed blades are better. I have had mechanical heads fail on whitetails. Will mechanicals kill, absolutely. But fixed blades never fail when screwed into the arrow shaft properly, it takes gear failure off the table. You get a little more wiggle room on shot placement as well

[@jpkoepse]

This is one of my favorites. Could listen to him all day. You have to do a follow up about rifle elk!

[@CliffGray]

For sure. We’ll do it

[@rogerramjet7567]

Remember the good times. 2 percent calf recruitment annually will take five or six years to become visible. Rest assured, the great elk herd numbers of Colorado will be a memory. It’s happened everywhere the wolves have prospered. 😢

[@boulderjoe1]

This is exactly what I wanted to listen to! Heading to the Flat tops next week

[@jacobjones8731]

Going on my first elk hunt this year. Most likely solo. This is very helpful!

[@fernwoodoutdoors]

Wish I could sit around a camp fire with these guys! Awesome podcast. Great listen for guys looking to get into the industry or new guides. Get out there and get the experience

[@matthewhayes4x4]

Awesome listen. Yes please do a video with Evan on rifle elk hunting. That would be great.

[@sallen3125]

Excellent show. So interesting and informative.

[@tommarymarking1579]

Great discussion. Makes me realize how little I know. Your experience level is so far above me that is very humbling. The concern is always going too fast in close and blowing out a cow or calf that gives me away by wind swirling or getting spotted. Also, some of us can't physically pack out an elk when miles and miles back in the mountains, without it going bad on us. If you can't get it out in a timely manner, its disallusing to kill an animal so far back you can't get it out without spoilage. Great discussion.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks! I hear ya on meat spoilage… reality is Evan and I have historically depended on horses/mules for a lot of our pack outs.

[@johnwesely]

This was awesome. Really appreciate you putting out this high quality content. I am getting very excited for September up here in WY.

[@adrianvatoussis9707]

Great podcast for sure! Great content and knowledge!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks!!!

[@hobojordo]

Way to find the guests others don’t! Good podcast!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks man 👊🏻👍

[@chriskahn7123]

Great content - I've applied a couple things from another hobby (mountaineering/ski touring) that might be helpful. I like to lift, but building an aerobic cardio base year round rather than just in the run up is pretty important. Also altitude acclimation is hard, but sleeping a night before at altitude (sleeping at the trailhead before a climb is a tradition) helps a ton as well as hydration days before the trip. Also ibuprofen (or acetazolamide with a prescription) in advance will help if you're going over 10k elevation.

[@CliffGray]

Great additional tips, thanks man 👊🏻

[@rustyshackleford7785]

Great Stuff Cliff. Gave up the do it yourself this year and heading in with Jimmy. Appreciate your videos bud!

[@CliffGray]

Good luck man! Thanks 👍

[@armedmindset6778]

I have hunted my whole life. Grew up in Leadville archery hunting. I am a bit of a gear nerd now days, but it's definitely not necessary to go all out on gear.

[@CliffGray]

Absolutely. Gears a double edge sword at times, but some of the improvements are hard to argue with.

[@tonymorrison5023]

Ive listened to a whole lot of elk hunting podcasts and info and now I wish I hadn't.. I wish that this was the only podcast that ive heard on the subject. Seriously. The simple explanations in this discussion allow for variability and adaptability in the woods whereas other discussions on this topic get way in the weeds and leaves you more confused with anthropomorphized elk behavior. I have to remind myself in all sorts of hunting scenarios to keep it simple stupid, don't overthink it.

[@CliffGray]

Really appreciate the feedback Tony! Glad it was helpful

[@tamashucsko5827]

Thank you for these such a great informations.

[@CliffGray]

For sure! Glad it was helpful

[@jacoblandreneau5068]

Cliff get to the rifle interview as soon as possible! I’m a southern guy who’s got a late start in the western hunting game & need all the help I can get. Hoping to learn as much as I can before heading out in a couple of years on my first elk hunt. My wife& I are doing this diy

[@joshsmith3650]

Great informative conversation right here.

[@joshsmith3650]

Also, as of now, only 8,100 ish views is sad for the content you both gave. But I appreciate it that much more as inside info is hard to come upon

[@vincethewoodlander]

I've found Best pep for altitude for my brother and i, a carpenter and drywaller, get there early. Go high in the day and scout then sleep at low elevation for a minimum of three days. You'll build more red blood cells doing that, then carry more o2 to muscles. On the flip side, I've almost died from exposure, by running from east to west straight through and hunting the next day depleted.

[@symetryisoverated]

What a great dialogue. Excellent guest. Its a good thing you stopped when you did...I've got shit to do today.

[@CliffGray]

Bwhaha!

[@CliffGray]

Absolutely, if a guy can swing a few days beforehand they always do well

[@charlesyork6336]

Cliff you ever use an elk decoy to help the bulls come in and setup 40/50 yards behind the decoy…thanks great podcast

[@brucearchambault6774]

@cliff gray - were you glad to see the Flat Tops go back to draw only for public land? My Dad and uncle hunted there on horseback since the late 80s when it always took 1 or 2 points to draw, but the over the counter tags and reduction of the white river herd by 1/3 made the hunting very different. What I don't know is how many hunters used to use over the counter tags and how that compares to the tags they issue now for public land in the Flat Tops.

[@JstSurf]

Thanks again for the content! Always seems to have something for every level of hunter. Question for you about using a bugle for locating elk. What Evan said about glassing to find elk instead of wearing out your legs and lungs hiking and bugleing makes sense, but what about areas where there is no vantage for glassing? We'll be hunting thick timber this September and from my experience in the area the elk are on slopes with no place to glass into. Last year we literally put 50 backpacking miles on the boots, and didn't kill elk. We did, however, call in bulls and have many close calls. Would you guys suggest changing locations to somewhere we can glass from? Or keep on trucking since we got so close last year. Thanks again for your time and the great content!

[@CliffGray]

I’d keep doing what you are doing. The CO country we are focused on here is generally glassable. Even where it’s timber thick you can get up high and glass for miles, catching something on timber edges… usually grass isn’t good enough in the timber and you will catch them out. In timbered/flat areas, extend the idea of moving fast during prime hours to locate elk. Where legal, even consider locate calling at night, off roads.

[@JstSurf]

@CliffGray Awesome. This is what I was leaning towards. I'll check into the legality in the area we're in. Thanks again!

[@StephenBradshaw-y9p]

On that frontal shot story - I was lucky that the bull was standing so super still, and the penetration of the fixed blade buried the arrow to the fletches.

[@southernhood5145]

great stuff

[@socrayes2010]

Fantastic ! Well appreciated by us hungry archery hunters staying in the game. As a strength coach I gotta ask a physical preparation question: how often do skinny weak party members or experienced backcountry guys end up with knee and back injuries ? Even with minimal pack outs ? If a guy shows up in solid ruck conditioning shape at altitude and also weighs 200 + lbs and also has a real baseline of strength (ie. 400lb + squat) do you think that this big strong guy will be a more physically resilient and a more useful party member in general to have?

[@CliffGray]

I don’t think Evan or I have a great answer for that. I think being physically strong is important, specifically core strength has helped me personally greatly with back pain and injuries while backpacking hunting. Reality is what you describe is really rare in our world as guides… and probably in general across the spectrum of hunters. Folks have limited time on the physical fitness front… big, strong, cardio and in hiking shape is probably the ideal. But if you can only focus on one, cardio is superior.

[@socrayes2010]

That’s honest. After asking old timers out of Oregon in particular about why they don’t backcountry hunt anymore it’s almost always “my back and/or knees are shot”. And because it takes months to years to build useful general strength rather than weeks to gain useful cardio it’s more of an investment that folks just haven’t learned about or stuck with. I’m trying to help some of those seasoned hunters get back in the mountains with a pack on through effective strength training. I’m at Impact Jui jitsu as a strength coach and have heard you drop in from time to time 😅. Take care Cliff

[@goodtimekillers3262]

So it was mentioned that if you did not know where elk were you would glass until you found them. I’m going to a new unit in wyoming this year that i spent 15 points on and it looks pretty thick with few glassing areas. Unfortunately my trip is gonna be cut much shorter than i thought. Other than just walking, do you have any other ideas on finding elk?

[@kenraterink]

Great podcast guys... i hunted just north of where you guide. Had some great hunts and amazing memories in that area, and several bull kills... a outfitter moved in, not you, and it went down hill fast so we went elsewhere but we kept going back because we like the area so much... that outfitter has been kicked out and lost license due to unethical practices. I hope to come back some year again... Im curious about what your opinion is on the state wanting to or going to put in the large state park, camp area, by the lake by your lodge... going to effect you much? Effeect wildlife?

[@CliffGray]

Perhaps Evan will chime in here on the lake. That whole deal was mostly whispers and speculation when I was around so I’m not up to speed. In general, anything Polis is involved in is bad for wildlife and a total scam.

[@kenraterink]

@CliffGray I totally agree and that's what I was thinking also

[@jonsky111]

Got my first elk tag and ive been learning a lot from your videos. Do you have any recommendations on what to use to call in a cow (got a cow tag) or can you direct me to a video that you cover the topic? Everything im seeing throughout youtube is geared to bulls

[@nj-bz8pv]

dang thats alot of public land bulls. I have over 10 public land colorado elk and i thought i was doing good

[@CliffGray]

You are. That’s a ton for this time of hunting. Basically 50yrs of hunting based on the average harvest stats

[@conner1274]

Would your opinion about cleaning/quartering elk at night change if you had to deal with grizzlies

[@Twitch25318]

What do you guys do in areas where there aren’t great glassing points and timber is too thick

[@trophyhilll]

I live at 7500’ in NM and still need a couple days to acclimate at 9k feet and above when I hunt CO

[@Lexidezi225]

I live at 4600 in Nevada and have zero issues at 10-11k anytime

[@trophyhilll]

@@Lexidezi225 don’t get me wrong, by day 2 or 3 depending on how high I am, I’m all over those mountains like wolves on elk. Just goes to show, we are all built different and should know our limitations. I’ve never fell ill because of it, but have displayed minor symptoms a time or 2. Thus my reason for having ibuprofen or allieve on standby for those slight headaches. And that’s probably my fault for not being hydrated quite like I should at times.

[@laxwyo1]

Good stuff form Colorado Elk hunting Christian Bale.

[@wcb5890]

I've see more issues with mechanicals than fix heads...whether it is pre shot as stated in this video. Opening blades, bands breaking, O rings moving, or guys not taking off the practice feature to allow the head to expand. Also, seen a couple just break on the ferrule (very popular front deploy brand). I have also seen less penetration that equally bowed fixed heads... An elk shot perfectly broadside and hit perfect is a dead elk with any head. but elk hunting is normally less than perfect.

[@ryanolson2430]

People are soft especially in the mountains. They hug the roads.

[@ShaneGregory-b4u]

I have 70 year old uncles who crash uphill in blow down with me. And 30 year old men who can't handle it.

[@ziruk-king4466]

Let's make it simple elk hunting in public is 95%physical either you have the mindset or you simply don't --😮😮😅

[@chrisbuckley8148]

Well shoot, I thought this was going to be about hunting for the over 50 year olds

[@CliffGray]

I actually thought this title might be confusing that way!

[@pco315]

You guys don’t know what you’re taking about! A dozen trips out west to hunt the last 20 years, killed all my elk at mid day. All one of them!

[@kenraterink]

How many is all one of them exactly?? One elk?

[@pco315]

@@kenraterink yeah one total! Sorry you didn't catch the joke

[@kenraterink]

@@pco315 it was a good one.. 🙄

[@CliffGray]

Bwhaha it happens for sure 😜👍 congrats on the elk… it’s freakin hard regardless

[@rogerhenson1046]

Now that was funny! Well played.

[@jwdundon]

CLIFF, unless you giys do something about them wilves KISS YOUR BUSINESS GOODBYE.

[@troybengel691]

great job guys. little advice, the constant "ya ya" is annoying

[@travistechlin9310]

Give it up. Our grandfather maybe had more game, But not even close the gear. No on x GPS. great lightweight clothes. No E bike, UTV cross bow much less bow that shoots 100yds. Give it up. We watch u tube, buy a ton of hi tec shit & go kill elk or pay big $ & get it done.