Man, this is a great conversation. Thanks Cliff, for bringing Bob on. What a great guy. One of your best interviews. I also really enjoyed Jay as well.
@CliffGray y'all are making me feel good about myself, talking about how you only get bulls to respond to you a few days out of a 5 day hunting. I didn't kill anything last year but I did find bulls exactly where I had dropped pins for deep dark bedding area 3 times. and had bulls responding 3 other times in 214
When you were talking driving elk, I was hunting the wasatch unit in Utah and a group of guys would send someone up with a pistol drop 21 rounds in the basin run the elk over the saddles and then we could hear the rifle reports. The most extreme Case I have ever seen. For some reason, I am ok with foot drives, but this seemed wrong. Can't control what happens on public lands though.
Drew elk and mule deer tag in wilderness area I’ve hunted 15 years. I’m 68 and solo hunted last 5 years. Hit the gym 4 days a week in the morning then start rucking February 1st. Shoot my bow year round every night. Don’t know how many years I can do this and I don’t hike in as far as I use to but Colorado wilderness is the best. Always love gleaning info from knowledgeable people, never to old to learn. 🏹🏔️⛺️🌲🦌
Hey this was fun and interesting. As an older hunter and previous backpacker, the tips on packs, boots and raingear really hit home; and the tip on walking through the woods and shooting stumps, logs, grass clumps etc, has helped me tremendously over the decades I've hunted. Good stuff, thanks for the program!
It’s so funny to hear this conversation with Bob and talking about working at winter hawk. I also experienced how Larry was to work for but I learned so much those years I worked there. Definitely led to success as an elk hunter in that country. Great episode Cliff!
Would like to hear your opinions on the non resident hunter . Seems like it’s getting harder for us . I am a blue collar guy from mid coast Maine . Hunted whitetail and turkey most of my life (65). Never thought I’d find anything that I enjoyed more the chasing whitetail until I got lucky and drew an elk tag in NM in 2021 . Through the camping gear in the truck , put some good tires on and headed . Did my best learning through reading and listening to interviews like this one . The stars lined up and had a life changing experience ( spiritual) with a beautiful 7x7 . Since then been counting on the secondary draw in CO to get back into the elk woods during the rut . Would love to hear your opinion on the non resident hunter debate . To me it seems like the public , national and BLM land should have equal opportunity to hunt as someone living in that state . We ( nonresident) pay enough . My family spilled blood for this country too . Would love to hear Cliff and Bobs opinions on this subject….stay safe .
I definitely am guilty of moving units, which certainly impacts my success rates, I’m aware of that but part of the fun for me is exploring new country.
This will be my 8th consecutive year archery. It came together on my 6th year solo hunt opening day. And was rewarded with a 320” 6x6. I missed a rag horn 3 times my 2nd year, nicked a 300” my 3rd and shot one in the ass my 4th year. Anyways I remember my first year very well and can honestly say my biggest problem was hunting too fast. So much ground I thought going quick was the way to go and that’s just flat wrong. Just take it all in enjoy yourself and hunt the prevailing wind. Thermals go down the mountain in early morning and late in the evening.
Lots of great, practical information here. Thanks for sharing. When it comes to equipment, I've tested just about every major brand of backpacks and boots cause I have big feet and a bad back. I can say with confidence that all of the top brands you hear about are of excellent quality. But you really need to try them on, both boots and packs, with weight on your back. What fits your buddy may not ride the same on you. And the most expensive option might not be the best one for you. For instance, I've been running Kuiu packs for 6 years. I decided to try something new this year, so I tested SG, Mystery Ranch, Exo, and Initial Ascent against my Kuiu. Ended up going with Initial Ascent, but a close second was my good old Kuiu that everyone talks shit about. The others were all excellent but didn't fit my body as well. And ya know what, that Kuiu pack has carried out a lot of animals with no issue whatsoever.
Cliff, what is your thoughts on how to glass for elk? It was interesting hearing Bob about glassing from low to high. I have always glassed from high to low and had decent success with that.
I thought it was hilarious when the host asked for some low hanging fruit for Elk hunting tips, and the guys first suggestion was to join a gym and get in the best shape of your life. Lol “ low, hanging fruit “ might as well have said, go get a bachelors degree or become a champion chess player before you hunt elk. 😮
Good stuff as always from you Cliff, I would like to hear your thoughts on hunting elk in midd August, I have upcoming hunt in Utah this August season starting on 17. We have a bull and couple cow 🏷️ Also have pretty much good idea where we are going to hunt and already scout couple really good bulls, but I know that things is going to change in next two weeks. Is OTC unit and I don’t know how much pressure will be there in beginning What is your opinion and experience with really early season Thank you for everything you putting on you tube, I really learned so much from it
In heavily pressured areas I find that scouting before bulls have shed velvet has minimal value. Once they do shed velvet (usually 10-15th of August) they will stick around where you find them until they get bumped. Usually pretty solid for first few days of season.
What is good tip amount to give to your guide? Is this only if you get something? Does antler size or difficulty of the pack out change that? Is the basic tip a % of the over all cost? Thx
Part of the reason people cannot practice multiple ways to shoot their rifle probably has to do with ammunition cost and availability. As for me I shoot a 300 RUM and a box runs about $110 now and has barely any availability, I also cannot get comfortable shooting 1 type of round because there is no consistency with what is available unfortunately.
The wolf issue is going to.make it even a greater challenge, now hunters are really competing against something that hunts for living. Think drawing a tag was difficult ! Now double the price so we can pay for the introduction of that competition. I wish the people whom voted it in paid for it. I hope it curbs cwd to make up the difference.
The good old days are OVER, you have wolves now.... So your going to be hunting wolves , NOT ELK. The elk will be wiped out in a few years. -- I WAS planning a hunt in Colorado, now, NO WAY!
It'll take ~8 years for the wolf population to grow and hit critical mass and explode. That's about how long it took in Idaho. And even in Idaho, the density if wolves varies from unit to unit. But yes, in units with a lot of wolves, its a huge problem for the prey animals.
@@clintnardoni huge problem for humans. We need to suffer for at least a generation for the idiot kids to wise up. As long as the liberals can smoke pot on the weekends watch Kardashians on t.v. ITS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE...
That's why you rarely see trophy mule deer bucks in Idaho's Unit 1. I believe they decimated the last caribou herd in the lower 48, which we had in North Idaho as well. Unchecked wolf and grizzly bear populations aren't good for anybody or any animal.
