This SIMPLE CONCEPT is Why You Never Kill Elk

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

Random thoughts from an idiot rookie: - Two things I always tell myself, "You don't know this area until you glass it in the morning", and " Try to sleep where you glass". - In the AM, I like to be setup before the first rays of gray light start showing over the eastern ridges, though family obligations don't always allow for it during summer, so I end up leaving at like 3 AM and still not make it in time. - Afternoon "geezer naps" are the bomb! - Thermal shifts, it puts a time limit, and it varies on time of year and location, but it's usually like clockwork in it's timing, and something to plan for. - The sun/shadow line is another time limit, once that sun is overhead, everything changes. - Being "in the bubble" is exhausting. So I try and ration it. The trick is knowing when you need to step it up and get into the bubble. I've blown an entire herd by bumping a single cow from 100 yards away. Though I was quiet, I was NOT in my bubble so the cow saw me before I saw her. That had repercussions the following day, cause all the elk were gone. - Depending on hunting pressure, and how hot it is, elk are like a tide in the ocean. The tide comes in from private at night, and could go back out to private about 30 minutes after first light. I know this cause I could hear them at night. It also means the window of opportunity is SUPER narrow. Personally, my BIGGEST fault, is not hunting the evening hours as much as I know I should. It's a conscious decision since i'm almost always solo. The rational is if I step into some shit in the dark in the morning hours, I know daylight is coming and I have all day to unfuck myself. In the evening, that isn't the case, though I will hunt the evening depending on the terrain, location, and elk activity. (IE risk management) I've had them come in on me in the evening, 5 minutes before shooting hours ends, and i was getting ready to pack it up. You just never know.

[@CliffGray]

Tons of great, succinct tips here. Thanks. Pinned it to the top.

[@tolt1776]

Hunt where elk are...rule #1 and #99

[@craigleonardjr]

Funny, I've never had any luck in the morning. Every archery bull I've killed has been after 6:45pm. I hunt in the depths of a high pressure OTC unit though.

[@Dyl_crafter]

@@craigleonardjr Ive only had luck at night myself but it has always ended up being a complete nightmare in the moment and I regret until the next morning when the meat is cooling. The night can be a long, and lonely when you have an arrow in an elk and it doesn’t drop dead in its tracks.

[@craigleonardjr]

@@Dyl_crafter Oh man, isn't that the truth... Long nights with a headlamp, sweating when you're working and freezing when you stop to rest. haha

[@davecarr4070]

💯. I've guided for 20+ years and it's amazing how very few understand this. They almost always want to call it quits an hr or so before dark. The last half hr (5 mins of legal light) is when we get most all our elk in the evening. They get excited when we first set down for the evening then prime time comes and there not looking anymore. I look (glass) harder the later it gets. Love a good evening hunt!

[@jeffjames9568]

Ive been struggling with this when I take my dad hunting never wants to be out during prime time whether its a cold front or the last or first hour of light its very frustrating

[@wesnorvell1658]

I like to call it the "MAGIC MINUTES" when the game animals start to show up... Might be glassing for two or three hours without seeing anything and then MAGICALLY they start appearing with just minutes of daylight left. 😮

[@nickbargouthy5235]

Cliff we’re going to watch the video no matter what you name it just post it we get the alert we click and watch that simple lol. Thanks for everything my guy

[@CliffGray]

Bwhaha! Thanks Nick 👍

[@ripcurlksm]

@@CliffGraythis is true

[@spielp]

@@CliffGray 100% true. Any video you put out is much appreciated. If you justify spending time making the video then it must be worth it.

[@darcycraig5534]

Well maybe but I felt like I needed a nap in the middle of this video. 😆

[@jamesstockton3777]

I sent this video to my hunting partners (my sons) to help explain "the quit feeling" because they get exhausted by putting too much energy in the wrong places at the wrong time. Thanks Cliff.

[@CliffGray]

👍👍👍

[@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594]

A lot of guys are Gung ho the first few days of the hunt and anticipation tends to wane from there, especially IF ... they're N0T seeing game or nobody in the party has had any success. The hunt becomes less fun. Sometimes even hearing other hunters shots in the distance can b e a rallying cry.

[@timleininger7789]

Your content constantly improves. Delivery, editing, camera angles, topics, guests and formats. I've watched em all Cliff. Large sample size. Your work is elite.

[@bryanmoorefield8890]

Been hunting elk 15 years in same area northern Colorado. I’m 67 and hunt strictly nasty timber and there is no glassing and I do this solo. I’m not afraid of the dark and I know I’m missing some great action but navigating this sh- - in the dark for a mile or two is more than I want to do at my age. BUT this year I’ll give it a go. I drew an Elk and Mule deer archery tag. Great video as always, you never stop learning. 🏹🏔️🌲⛺️🦌

[@CliffGray]

👍👍👍

[@JohnPhillips-qw4db]

Specific tactics for thick country: Use white retro reflective tacks to mark your trail in. No matter what you hear on the way, continue to your spot (putting yourself in range of their travel route, but understanding the thermals in your area). Your route in is very important. Do not cross their travel path. You should get settled approximately 1 hour before it’s light. Don’t call. Just listen and learn. Do this for a few days and you’l either kill one or may discover you should be at a different location…and start the process over. Works where I hunt…and it’s thick here. Virtually no glassing. Once you find “the spot” you may enjoy years of success.

[@bryanmoorefield8890]

@@JohnPhillips-qw4db I have a huge tree rubbed so I know there in there.

[@yanceymcdonald6017]

The funny part is that I used to tease my old man for taking naps in the middle of the day. But as I got more hunts under my belt, I started understanding why he always wanted to take naps during the middle of the day. Now we both take naps during the middle of the day! 😂

[@dylangaudineer5014]

Just scored on a returned idaho elk tag sale. Brushing up on my Cliff elk knowledge, this concept is super valuable to me as a newer elk hunter. This will be my fourth elk trip. I was able to tag my first idaho bull on my third trip. Hoping to carry that successful momentum into my hunt this year! Keep up the awesome videos. Love the game processing information too! Good luck this season.

[@CliffGray]

Awesome! Good luck on the hunt this Fall 👍

[@richardmonson8657]

Cliff you have produced a lot of very good videos…..this one ranks right at the top. I am a seasoned western hunter and found plenty of new things to contemplate from your advice. Appreciate your content.

[@IntenseAngler]

Excellent subject and info as always Cliff 👍 Having harvested the VAST majority of my elk in the last bit of shooting light of the day, I couldn't agree more with you about just how critical good time management is. As well as adjusting your "normal" routine to the hunt.

[@t_riverrat910]

Cliff, thanks for making this point. We aren’t the super heroes we think we are sometimes. I am glad my son likes to fish during the heat of the day, and we usually hit the hunting spots in the mornin and evenings.

[@CliffGray]

That’s a great way to do it 👍

[@whistlingbadger]

Great video, Cliff, not boring at all. The great temptation for me to get back to camp too early is simply that I hate hiking through deadfall in the dark. It's inevitable; it's necessary; it's no fun at all.

[@CliffGray]

I totally get it

[@Ffmt-ri3ti]

Great video. It’s common sense but not always easy to implement. This year was my first elk hunt and I think I did okay with time management. I didn’t know the area and I was on horse so it was difficult. Horses are great for packing I guess but they don’t handle steep or thick terrain too well. Glassed in the morning, spent the late morning/afternoon moving to another spot, ate lunch, took a nap, set up at a glassing spot around 4 pm. Around 5 I had this internal debate because I knew we had a lot of steep terrain to cover back to camp and didn’t want to do it in the dark with horses. Decided to stick it out and about 30 minutes before dark I called a nice 6 point bull out of the trees about 300 yards away. I was spike hunting so wasn’t able to shoot but it was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. I didn’t harvest a spike either but seeing that big bull definitely got me more interested in hunting.

[@timshapleyadventures]

Cliff you make some good points but also some poor ones. I’ve had a lot of mule deer success packing to stay out all day. Eat lunch in the field, nap in the field mid day. Glass more and move less. I see so many hunters tromping around the sage country not seeing any of the deer I’m watching all day. Your on point though that you have to have the stamina to stick with it and focus during prime time. This approach has resulted in a good number of field dressed deer in the dark and late night pack outs. Pack and plan for that and success rates go up.

[@CliffGray]

I hear ya Tim. I don’t think we disagree. I wish I would have made this more clear in the video that it isn’t about never glassing/hunting during off prime times. More about being 100% present at the prime times and then do what you can and what makes sense for the specific hunt your on. Thanks 👍

[@MTwildguides]

Right on point AGAIN! It's always been a challenge to convince my guided clients that "nap-stalking" is a needed part of a wilderness hunt. Thank you for laying out the facts.

[@jegjr59]

Way to break it down Professor Cliff, good stuff!

[@outdoorsmanofmichigan3858]

Cliff love your show please don’t turn into a sellout. Your content is always much appreciated especially by us blue collar working guys. Your you don’t need all this no bs is what got you here keep up the great work.

[@kenszewc2981]

Nailed it! As a pretty successful archery elk hunter (17 and counting), I count on others giving up early, it just opens up more opportunity for us more dedicated hunters. Too much pressure already in my eyes, no need for more :O

[@gregmurphy5014]

I don’t even look at the title usually, if it says Cliff Grey I’m gunna watch it! Never am I let down man. This one was one of my favourites 👊

[@Sidviciouser]

Cliff I really don't like you telling my hunting competition about this stuff. ;) Honestly though this content is great and right on the money. The only thing I would add is that we have been blessed on many occasions by having lunch with a group of hunters watching a prime mountainside or draw. No glassing, just BSing and something pops up. I've spent too many hot days behind glass and my eyes were super tired come prime time in the evening. Not worth it at all.

[@CliffGray]

Absolutely. It’s a really good point… amazing how much just watching without glass, resting/eating, over a good area can turn something up.

[@mountainadventures7346]

I’ve cheated most my life because I had mules and packed into wilderness areas as a young man and now as an older man I have private lands that hold Elk. Elk are pretty easy to hunt, but can be damn hard to find. I’ve ridden thirty miles in a day in a loop around a wilderness camp and nada. And three days later it’s like the heavens opened and Elk fell out. Sometimes it’s easier to wait for them to come to you than for you to go to them. Hats off to the backpack hunters in wilderness areas. Should be an Olympic sport. Always thought of you with a cold beer in my hand sitting in a saddle and looking back at 2 mules, 4 quarters and horns a head and a cape. Now I do a ebike and lots of trail cameras and hunting blinds. Patterns develop and you just have to wait for them to cross the fence back over onto your place. And hope the neighbor doesn’t score first. Which happens….

[@frankmccarthy2624]

A lot of this happens naturally as you get older. I’m 60 now and I relax mid day (unless you’re actually hunting a water source), eat a nice lunch, have a good nap. You’re forced to prioritize time, become more efficient and hunt prime times because you don’t have endless energy like you’re 25. And I kill more game now too, if I want to…

[@CliffGray]

I think this is a great point. I noticed it with my clients… some older guys that I’d consider “intense hunters” but only on a schedule

[@mattwhite9046]

Mostly agree with this stuff. Napping midday can be tough when it's bright warm outside. Maybe a catnap or two but 3-4 hours is a tall order for me. Navigating in the dark can be dangerous. It isn't the predator issue so much as slipping or tripping on things I can't see well. Plus, the deer can see perfectly well while we can't see them at all. So I won't let myself be too exposed until I can see at least enough to know if there's deer in my immediate area. Oddly, in a spot I've gotten to know very well, the earliest hours have some activity but a lot of activity happens at the thermal shift when the winds are stagnant or moving back/forth -- giving them a chance to know what is both ahead and behind them. The deer move quickly during that hour to get themselves into position before the winds shift uphill -- often running from place to place, stopping occasionally to read the wind & then running another 100 yards or so. Maybe it's a local phenomenon but it's pretty reliable in my mountains. But, yes! Time management is a HUGE issue in people's success and failure. Early season archery, there's a huge chunk of time to kill midday but it's pretty intense from evening until late the next morning. Late season, it's an intense day and a very relaxing evening & night where I have time to read books in the tent & relax. But field life should always revolve around those prime hours, whatever they are -- couldn't agree more.

[@CliffGray]

Great comment. Thanks. Agreed on thermal shift… I should have put that in here as an example of prime movement time for mountain hunting.

[@coffeehunter8742]

Very valuable info! Most hunters should watch this each & every year before season starts! 👍

[@timzimmerman1058]

Good stuff Cliff Makes perfect sense to what your saying. Thanks for all the good info

[@rallye81]

Cliff, this is gold information! I got into hunting later in life and feel like I’m losing precious time. My partner and I have bow-hunted elk for 8 years. We have done our “e-research,” hunted hard, and been very successful at finding elk, but still 0-8 on even getting close enough to drawing our bows. Thank you for sharing this information. We hope to use these tools in this coming season.

[@Hammond_Meredith]

This man knows what he is talking about, i was a guide in Big Horn Wyoming and the Elk and Mule deer are really smart, which makes for a very fair chase hunt. Which also teaches you to be a better hunter. Great stuff, listen to this guy.

[@laxwyo1]

A long time guide I know doesn't even leave camp to archery hunt until 9am or later(these are areas he's hunted a long time you'll need to wake up and locate elk if you're hunting new area). Archery hunting in the morning is fairly difficult since elk are headed to their bedding areas and you're on the clock with thermals. Sometimes you get lucky and get satellites to come or run into those golden days where they're screaming until 11am. Most of the time they're headed to bed and you're wasting your time and energy chasing them. Hunting at noon is underrated, herd bulls will leave cows if they're bedded. If you're near bedded elk, you'll get into them long before the last 20 minutes of day.

[@ericinnis]

Thanks Cliff, I’m revising my hunt plan based on your advice. Makes so much sense but I never thought of it this way.

[@jackburcs]

How do fall bear compare to spring bear in terms of the time of day that they are most active

[@CliffGray]

Pretty close to the same. First 30min to hr of day and last two hours.

[@Hammond_Meredith]

Also adding to the nav, and i am sure this man knows this, but know your maps before you go, at least get a topo map for the area and understanding the topo. Knowing your roads where you could get to and knowing an exit (also because with elk, the kill is tough but the next part and taking care of the animal takes much longer than many people think) but if you can learn to use an analog watch as a compass is easy but can really help you with a topo map. I have saved many hours after kill, just knowing an easier access route to get your game to an easy transit situation and will make life much easier. I am sure he has talked about this but I just want to say this guy i really respect because he definitely knows his stuff. He has great info for all of you.

[@moneyandtimefreedom3352]

Too many hunters confuse camping with hunting. Leave late because they have to have a big breakfast or come in early to do like you said, need to get dinner going, cutting wood, go to the bathroom etc. Then stay up too late organizing camp, talking, camp talk is part of hunting but manage your time so you can have new stories. One other thing use your standard vision to look around on occasion not just through your glass.

[@laxwyo1]

One of the most successful archery hunters I know doesn't go out until like 10am. It's mostly because of thermals etc. Noon is one of the best times to hunt. not joking

[@drewbear17]

@@laxwyo1he’s probably going off of moon phases.

[@vincethewoodlander]

It's good to warn new people you hunt with not to pull the fire alarm if you're not back 1-2 hours after dark. I've made some people very uncomfortable by not warning them. Now i warn everyone as we are planning the hunt. So they can be prepared to be alone after dark for awhile.

[@CliffGray]

Yeah that’s a great point. Thanks Vince

[@vincethewoodlander]

@@CliffGray sure thing. Only mention it cause some people don't even like to be in spike/base camp or waiting alone at the truck after dark and then they drop "turd bombs" as you say.

[@reload280]

I tell my friends and family, “dark plus travel time.” Don’t worry about me until then.

[@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594]

It gets dark around 5:30 in PA hunting AG land. I'm 10 minutes from home and still I don't get back until 9:30 or 10:00PM .

[@dboots1421]

Quality advice.. this flatlander appreciates your efforts… tks Cliff.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks!

[@markpeever496]

This is huge. Thank you.

[@shanedupont9116]

I don’t know if you have ever done a video on “Overcoming the fear of Solo hunting in the dark” but if you do, I bet it will be popular. A lot of us “Tough guys” don’t wanna admit it, but that’s the reason most of us head to the truck at 4pm in the afternoon. That fact alone is why 90% of us don’t kill elk….. we wait till sun up to get on the mountain while the 10 percenters are already quartering their kill before the rest of us leave the road.

[@africanjew1596]

Ain’t nothing there in dark that isn’t there in the light Shane

[@supa5523]

​@@africanjew1596bahahaha this is literally what I was told when I was 10 and had issues with the dark.

[@jero1918]

It's a fact that almost everyone is afraid of the dark. Almost everyone denies it. It just takes some getting used to and then you're golden. I don't even use a head lamp most of the time.

[@treasureexplorationandrese3712]

As an outfitter and hunter myself, I guided close to 20 elk hunts per year for over 20 years. If your not in the woods 1 hr before light, looking, listening and feeling you miss so many opportunities, not just for an early kill but to see what the elk are doing, where they are going and what bulls end up where. Being concerned about the dark is normal. We can't see in the dark, many big predators are hunting and wandering around not to mention greater opportunities at getting hurt or the stories about bigfoot and the boogyman we hear as a kid! The key here is realizing we are compromised and being prepared. Good head light for hands free hiking and a back up light. Bear spray or handgun practice and familiarity and set up for easy deployment. Knowlege of the hunting area and key access points is also key. Letting people know where you are going, your route and when you will be back in touch is good practice to for confidence. Move slow and look listen and feel. Being prepared, facing reality and a good game plan gives confidence and makes a safer experience. Camping within striking distance to your hunting area can increase the safety factor here as well as give you another hour of sleep. All this being said, I have only hunted grizzly country a few times....if you are hunting griz country my hat's off to you, the fear should be real!

[@curtisgore1611]

With a partner I never had a second thought about sleeping on the mountain but my partners never wanted to do it so I went by myself the next year and couldn't make myself stay out there after dark.lol I need experienced help.lol

[@marknasby9627]

Great content. Just the info I needed to hear that no one really talks about. Not sexy, but useful.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks!

[@charlessmith6506]

You are 100% right, i take a nap mid day archery hunting because nothing is happening because it is to hot except when the elk are hard core rutting and that doesn't happen much in western Washington

[@chase-n-trails7257]

New to Western hunts, learning so much from your content. Thank you Cliff

[@BushcraftExplorer]

Really helpful information... I've never been a hunter, but want to this next season. I had no idea why I rarely ever see deer in the forest... now I know why there seems to be very little wildlife - I'm looking at the wrong times. Thanks Cliff!

[@bearfishing5817]

I agree with you %99 Cliff. Admittedly, I fall into that trap myself a lot for the reasons you mention. Hard to face. Nonetheless, It's great advice! Thank you

[@danielstreety6771]

Great information. Thank you.

[@CrimeVid]

My only input to this is to say, that when looking for animals, don't stare hard,all tense. Relax,you see movement in your peripheral areas of vision far better than you think. the time to look hard is when you have already identified movement.

[@guideyellowstone]

Thanks Cliff i learn a bunch from watching you ❤️

[@DanielRifleman-pb9bd]

Clif, I'm still a newbie so Please you know well how to do all of this so keep telling what we really need. Thank you for all your insight! I am learning a lot and beginning to learn my near by hunting areas. I haven't been successful yet but got close to some elk last year & had fun. I just need to keep investing the needed time. Thanks again!

[@Paul-q3m7k]

I’m out two hours before daylight locating bugling bulls . If you’re leaving camp when it’s daylight …you’re too late .

[@joecoldiron42]

Never want to walk through elk in the dark to hopefully find them at first light! Always remember they hear see and smell ya long before the first of your senses knows they are there

[@buckn32]

Fascinating I never made these correlations before. Thank you 🙏 I’ve seen elk, deer, bear just as you described.

[@Awesymoto]

The absolute funniest thing was hunting mule deer in AZ. Sunset comes and I see the hills come alive with deer. SXS and ATVs are all returning to camp (It’s AZ and everyone road hunts) deer pause and don’t move within 2-300 yards of the trail, then as they leave the deer keep moving. Around, yet none of the people saw any of them.

[@curtisgore1611]

Im 57 yrs old. Ive done a couple diy trips the last few yrs without much luck. Im gonna need a cliff gray kinda guide ole buddy! Lol

[@ChadLubinski]

Thank you for these explanations. This is the first hunter I’ve hear say some of this stuff but it’s always things I thought might be true

[@DanielRifleman-pb9bd]

Ok, I am seeing I just need ... Discipline! Yes, I'll confess I fall into the same category or say I'm on vacation. I should bring an extra light to get in & out too. The prime hours are ... The Prime Hours! I will make priority to be out there at the right time. That's it. I am a new elk hunter in Idaho & need to learn the animal. Thank you Clif.

[@brianp296]

My guide last Sept wanted to pack up 30 min before sunset every night. Was a little frustrating, I'm guessing it was because he didn't want to ride out on horseback in the dark

[@Zygotes1234]

Great info once again. I have learned so much from your videos. Thanks again for making these.

[@mikesullivan791]

Loved the video definitely going to help me a ton! This was definitely my biggest problem last year(first year hunting) figured hunting all day long would make up for missing the pre dawn glassing hours. No success and never saw any elk during archery yet saw all the freshest sign and was on their bedding in the early morning but never early enough. Got a 25/26 archery mule tag this year hope to see some flat tops guides in action while im out doing my thing!

[@richardtatom1138]

Agreed perfect example yz ranch and flat tops

[@CliffGray]

👍

[@aarondonaldson4164]

I love 10am deer hunts and I love dark hikes out because of the evening hunt.

[@nativewarrior5052]

As I prepare for my first elk hunt, post rut at the end of rifle season on public land with 200 other hunters and average 23% success for this hunt I'm hoping to soak it as much elk knowledge as possible. I plan to scout and glass for elk during the summer and the weeks leading up to my hunt. I want to have an idea of where the elk are, and be able to track their movement as hunting pressure increases to increase my odds of harvesting.

[@tythomps]

CO 62??

[@BortzArt]

I like it! Good stuff, man!

[@CliffGray]

👍

[@Twistedoff2]

Shhh! I hunt public land and see this all the time. If you tell people though, by the last few days of an archery hunt, when they usually head home, they'll still be there. It'll lower my odds! Seriously though, I had to learn this stuff too though. The organization and times are really important and then when you actually start a stalk, it's the wind. Elk are places for a reason. Keep checking the wind. The wind changes and the animals know where and when it changes. The closer you get the more you need to check.

[@davidemerson1233]

Great video, I do pretty well as all of my harvests so far in Az have been in the morning. Maybe a reason as I’m always back to truck or camp before dark it seems. I’m about always by myself (unless helping another DV) and have that mentality of not getting stuck out overnight.

[@CliffGray]

Totally get it.

[@cowelk]

I just found your channel and your challenge to watch it made me want to watch it. I am glad I did. I see somethings I am doing right and some other things that I am doing wrong. I guess I have always been a prime time hunter. It just came naturally because I had to go to school or work. Also, I have always been a napper. I am willing to get up in the dark and be at the hunting site before light. On the other hand, I hesitate a little on the evening side. Do I really want to shoot that elk and have to deal with it when I could be back at camp? Luckily, I haven't had to make that choice. I get my elk in the morning or not at all. Your greatest tip for me was about glassing in prime time vs non-prime time. Thanks for that. I did like and subscribe.

[@CliffGray]

Awesome! glad to have you. appreciate you watching and commenting

[@brianjohnson8918]

Of course you should always have your overnight gear when out hunting/glassing away from camp, but also have the mentality that you might spike camp rather than return to camp that night. This gives you an added option and helps reduce that premature-back-to-camp urge. It helps you be more committed to your hunt, since you know you having a 2nd option where you spend the night.

[@donaldblank8873]

Here's one for you, If you're trying to get a bear on a bait pile, Stock it heavily. And stay out of the stand until the morning of the 3rd day. Be in the stand half an hour before daylight. Bears have a tendency to lay and wait.

[@it_is_what_it_is_brotha]

Even when you know most of the info to be true, it can be hard to fight the internal demons, so hearing it over and over it helpful! I always struggle with what to do after the good morning hours as mainly a bow hunter in Utah where season opens mid August. There is just so much time to kill I either wind up on 8 mile expeditions aimlessly wandering through good country like an idiot, or feeling like I'm not even trying by sitting in the same place fighting sunburn for 12 hours until it gets to be prime time again.

[@CliffGray]

Yeah, I hear you. Long days can be tricky. Just find some ways to utilize the time. I mention it briefly in the video, but I spend a lot of midday time glassing bedding areas… low intensity glassing

[@tommarymarking1579]

good stuff Cliff, it helps with the hunt.

[@campt91]

So would you say it is safe to say that as hunting pressure increases the time animals spend out in the open during shooting hours decreases to the point where if there is really heavy hunting pressure they could become almost completely nocturnal. For example in coastal logging country where during rifle season for elk the hunting pressure is very intense especially because of all the roads and 4 wheelers and side by sides driving around almost constantly. Do you think in these situations the elk would only feed in the clearcuts at night and then by first light be in the timber or reprod on the way to thier beds? This has at least been my experience. There are tons of elk in these kinds of areas with lush clearcuts for food and pockets of timber checkerboarded across the landscape but they are extremely difficult to glass up and kill. Especially older bulls. Could treestand or still hunting trails to bedding areas be more productive than glassing in this case?

[@CliffGray]

In cases where they can get feed, elk will do this… 100%. Never leave the timber. Places like the pnw where grass grows in the timber is like that. CO, WY, ID, MT they can get pretty close to nocturnal but usually they have to come out some during daylight just to get the calories they need. The conifers in the mountain west usually have minimal grasses growing under and among them.

[@minervandusen324]

Great Video Cliff! ❤

[@nate18268]

Great video. As a new hunter, it's extremely (extremely) frustrating that 95% of hunting videos are utterly useless for actually learning how to hunt, it's just random footage of people hunting; they don't explain exactly what they're doing or WHY they're doing it. That is totally meaningless to me. I wish a lot more people would make these type of videos!!

[@charlessmith6506]

Great video, I learned most of what your saying the hard way because i rifle hunted half my life and its way different

[@Dirty338_]

Kifaru = #1> Tell Aron to get you two on a podcast together.

[@TheCSTSkydiver]

I also have glow in the dark paracord I use to mark my trail every so many large trees helps when coming back after dark to give you a market

[@kodiakfisher]

Mid day glassing for elk on the Oregon Coast range....good luck with that! First hour and last hour is where it's at.

[@craigleonardjr]

Love your perspective Cliff! Always appreciate you sharing these fairly tidy videos about things we're probably messing up! To each their own, but I'll disagree on the "You shouldn't hunt all day" point. For some people, glassing/hunting in the morning, resting during the day, and glassing/hunting in the evening is a great system. Keeps them in it and keeps spirits high. But your point about wolves and cats only hunting in sprints just doesn't resonate with me. We're at the top of the food chain because we can do things they can't. African tribes used to run after dear until the dear quit and laid down. That's an extreme example, but I believe there are lots of opportunities to kill elk (especially herd bulls) and high country mule deer in the middle of the day!

[@dustinfisch2997]

Cliff i love all the content! Ive learned so much from your videos. I was able to harvest my first Muledeer last year! Thank you!

[@randyhelgeson1254]

Cliff, this is so crazy.I should just hire you to take me out. But I do like learning. And I do have at least one elk and one moose on my bucket list. I just don't know if I have the time to be a an entrepreneur owner and take care of my ms wife. It's just me working. This is why it went from hobby to bucket list. The way it's going. It will be a bucket list just to see them out there, never mind get a shot off.

[@johnclark1925]

If I ever hunt in North America I am calling you Cliff.

[@jonathanbarthel6403]

Great insight!!!!!

[@dempseygrosenbacher2547]

Really enjoyed this video, like your watch, what kind is it? Keep the info coming

[@CliffGray]

It’s a Garmin instinct. Has an after market band on it. Original got gross dirty

[@dempseygrosenbacher2547]

@@CliffGray is it the Solar model or non-solar? If non solar do you get good enough battery life in the mountains and how do you charge it? External charger? Thanks in advance

[@user-rk7kg9ik2c]

Outstanding! This is the God's truth. Bringing the behavioral features of civilization to the wild handicaps hunters. Spot on to manage time as Cliff suggests.

[@rockymountaindad]

I was ready to click off but ... 😂 , good content bud , I really appreciate all the people that love the outdoor world enough to share their experience and wisdom , they say teach the next generation to love what you love and they will take care of it

[@seanmerritt8568]

Thank you very much Cliff!!!!!

[@leejohnson8800]

Gold!

[@SP6X6]

Ive done all that for years.When young it was always all day as I was covering major ground.Late fall I've tracked bulls for days in a row.Seen elk get up and move many a early afternoon archery.Where im archer now the big groups are on private and they are being hazed back in by guys on ranch with rifles.

[@monray300]

As I have aged, life has humbled me, thank God. Realizing that a few years ago, I started trying to be more efficient with my time and energy. It's been good for my hunting. I am scared of Bigfoot after dark, constantly checking my back trail.

[@CliffGray]

Bwhaha I hear ya! 👍

[@earnestbass4043]

Cliff - you’re the hook, don’t sweat the title.

[@prez803]

My girlfriend likes to join my archery elk hunts, and she hates walking in the dark. We inevitably get in a fight where she says, "Can't we just hunt during the day and not walk in the dark?" Um, no, we can't.

[@jaygilley2223]

lol. If she doesn’t like to walk in the dark then I would say that she doesn’t really like to elk hunt. 😁

[@troywesterbur706]

The title alone had me laughing. They key to success that has been handed down is being there when they are there. It’s really that simple.

[@shanedupont9116]

What scares me about going mountain hunting in the dark is that I may end up being bear shit. The thought of going out like that is unnerving.

[@CliffGray]

Bwhaha yeah I hear ya

[@poolboyymusic]

I’m out hunting right now for 2nd… will give this a go!! I always hunt mornings.. usually successfully. But will work harder to do evenings as well. Are fall bear hunting similar to spring bear hunting? As far as the window of opportunity?

[@foxhollerhomestead]

New sub here. I just got back from my hunting trip empty-handed. Spent four days in Kittitas Eastern Washington. Over there, it’s only true spike and had a real hard time finding any along with any decent three-point buck. Any recommendations or ideas on how to call in a true spike?

[@trent5327]

I hear a lot of guys talk about glassing for tracks in the snow, but I've never heard what to actually do when you find them. Are there any videos out there on the topic?

[@bringthefitenow]

Solid!

[@nativewarrior5052]

On my deer hunt last year, the only time i saw mule deer was around 11:30 in the afternoon moving down the canyon I was hunting. I caught a quick flash of as two deer stepped out between two trees and promptly jumped into a ravine disappearing out of sight.

[@ski4life9]

11:30 is not afternoon. Afternoon means after “noon” aka 12:00 lol

[@nativewarrior5052]

@@ski4life9 my bad. I should have said "in the morning"

[@ski4life9]

@@nativewarrior5052 lol I’m just messing bro I don’t care.

[@lawrencejchristie6193]

It’s about hunting smarter - not longer.

[@michaelruiz2872]

I'm a rookie, but I feel this this is for me😂.

[@CliffGray]

👍

[@timrigg8384]

Cliff, so what does a productive day look like??? I'm very new to elk hunting. So let's say i get to my morning spot before light and I'm all set. I hunt well for 2 hours. Now, it is 10am. What do i do until 4pm? It is a 2 hour hike to camp. Do i just find a quiet spot, eat, and take a nap in the woods?

[@KingFinishCarpentryLLC]

Good stuff!

[@petesanchez557]

The area I hunt I been hunting for years and first shots start going off about an hour after light comes up, till 9:30 ish am.

[@timothyletkeman]

Let’s go!

[@CliffGray]

💪🏻👍💪🏻

[@timothyletkeman]

Been diy hunting for the past six seasons. I have definitely made all of these mistakes. Thanks

[@plumbussmith]

Great vid

[@CliffGray]

Thanks 👍