I love your honesty and reality! Here is my dose of reality...As a native Coloradan and lifelong hunter, I can attest to the fact that over the last several years the number of hunters in Colorado has become a major detriment to the overall experience. I believe that the social media craze of backcountry hunting videos has done a great disservice to the expectations and behaviors of elk and deer hunters in general. Too many of the non-resident hunters that I meet in the woods have arrived with high expectations of calling in giant bulls and filling their tags only to go home empty and thousands of dollars poorer. I know first hand that many of the influencers out there are not hunting public land OTC or even OTC units. Much of what you see is shot on private land by paying for land owner tags in OTC units. I have witnessed first hand the migration of elk to private land the day before the season opens when all of the trucks and campers are piling into the forest. My rancher friend and I watched as elk would jump his fences and pile into his property as these trucks and RVs drove through the public access on his land which borders Flat Tops wilderness and forest service property. The introduction of wolves into this area will just exacerbate the problem. If everyone were to watch your videos there might be less disappointed souls in the woods each year.
As a nonresident i totally agree. I hope more content like this comes out. I had the best archery mule deer hunting ruined by social media in a state only a couple over from WI where I reside. Took up elk hunting 6 years ago and found the most amazing thing i have ever hunted.I learned from the biggest content creators on youtube and it works. So its Kinda a catch 22 for me. Now seeing more and more opportunity taken away. There is way to many people hunting and fishing. I honestly think that 70% give it a try and do something else. But it doesnt eliminate the numbers in the woods now. So tag prices rising and prefrence points climbing guess we have to roll with the punches!
Your opinion at the end is 100% how I’ve hunted for the last 20 years. You can’t eat antlers and any successful hunt is one to be proud of. I am raising my kids the same way and when people ask for advice I explain that same thing to every new and seasoned hunter alike. Any legal animal taken is a hell of a story. Be proud of that animal regardless of antler size. It’s all about the meat we eat all year, our time in the field and hunting with ethics. I personally avoid cows and does after harsh winter years but when there’s a good strong population the arrows fly. I have been binge watching this awesome channel. Thanks Cliff.
I’ve never heard anyone address the “anxious” or “panicked” feeling on RU-vid or hunting forums before. It’s very real! I get it worse solo hunting which sucks because solo hunting is awesome. Having unlimited texting on the garmin helps and sometimes going into town for a burger can completely dissolve the negative mood.
Are we talking about the same thing here? - maybe you’re right I don’t know the first thing about a wall tent or elk or goats or bighorn .. thanks for the reality check though I’ll keep looking for antlers at the fishing access 😘
That’s so real. I turned 61 this year. I’ve been doing self guided pack in archery hunts in CO from OH for the last 16 years. Mostly OTC with a few low point draw units in there. It’s so hard and nearly all mental. I took a 320” bull off a CO OTC unit at treeline in 2020. I definitely put my time in but I also know very few people score a 300” bull in CO on a OTC unit. The crazy thing is I’ve seen 300” bulls on at least 1/2 of those years. But getting close is a totally different story. And I’ve seen so many people suffer through that mental breakdown a couple days into a hunt. Your comments on this short video are so spot on. Thanks! PS it’s all about the experience for me. Sept in the mountains is the best thing ever. I just want to be there.
61 and still getting after it! I hope I can still hunt hard at that age. I just shot a bull a couple days ago and am still recovering from the pack out, and I’m 20 years younger.
Why didn’t anyone tell me that these kids will kick your heart around and stop on it and leave to all around the country and you can’t hunt together anymore cause they are too busy to put in for a hunt with you anymore…I love them anyway😂
Thanks again for the awesome content. Don’t change a thing about how you present your information. You’re way of doing it is far more relatable than a lot of the other channels out there. Much appreciated. Good luck this season.
Cliff, I agree with most of the others in the comments that this is my preferred style. It feels like you are talking, sharing, more on a personal level. This video is one of my favorites. I love your description of 'the perfect hunt'; "lip bawling in your face as you frontal shoot them perfectly and the blood squirts out all over the place and he head plants in front of you and rolls over so you can gut him..." LOL. Hilarious! Awesome stuff. Love your videos. Good luck on your hunts and a sincere thank you for all the straight-up advice and hard-earned knowledge. Al in St. George
Watching all your videos, practicing, and applying what you share and explain has been more valuable than wandering around in the woods for the last decade. I've applied your logic and positive mental attitude and have harvested 3 bull elk in the last 3 years. Keep up the great content and keep telling people how it is going to go. Good work.
Appreciate the data-driven and experience-based advice. Us newbies are still in the good ol' days too with videos like this! Nothing replaces getting out there, but saves a lot of potential time/frustration having these tips heading in.
#reality I love Cliff’s approach. This is not meant to be negative but an approach that is in your face the moment you head out into the mountains. Power through with a great attitude and hunt till it’s over as in the season is done or if your time doesn’t allow it. These animals (elk) have been doing this way longer than you and it takes determined diligence to tag out. Very real, if I could have told myself back then I would have said first: relax and enjoy, then gain knowledge and wisdom about hunting. Be safe and enjoy! It’s about the experience 👍🏻😃
The other tip I would add to high pressure areas is dogging herds. A lot of times if you keep pushing they will not bed. You will run them clear off the mountain. If they keep moving give it 45 minutes let them get to where they are going and then move in. Learned the hard way dogging a herd for 7 miles. Only stop was for water and the wind was bad and we couldn't close. Looking back had we stopped and had breakfast those cows would have bedded and we could have pushed in and challenged him. Also sometimes if a bull won't close start talking to his cows, glunking, raking ect.
This is one of my favorite episodes. It's like hanging out with your favorite uncle while he shares his decades of hunting experience with you. Name it Coffee with Uncle Cliff and make it a regular feature!
Great info! Watching your videos and your knowledge since I found you here is great! Oregon bow hunter here, and I have been hunting Elk (and Deer) my whole life...I said hunting...LOL. Harvesting of course is always an experience of a successful hunt that we cherish in our souls for sure! And we thank God for that! Taking a life of any creature on this Earth, is, I guess, what God has provided for you to survive, and live...I will always have an emotional time with that, and of course...I always have a prayer if I was lucky enough to gain a harvest...I lost my 'blood brother' more than 25 years ago, now. He and I were just tactical Elk finders...And we were great to make a setup that just worked the Elk...I always have a spiritual moment for him the night before opening day in my camp, of only now to forever be the 'Lone Wolf'. My Elk hunts are now just myself...Now...Missing a part of me and not having him makes it so much harder of the years, past...We always learn a lesson in the woods. The "Wapiti" is such a mystical creature, and will so show you, your weakness and your faults...And, they can take you for a ride for sure! I've fallen down cliffs to pursue them...They have led me into places that I so needed a machete to get out of...Places in the woods where I have felt kinda scared at moments...I sometimes realize that I feel the grip of my 44 Mag on my side...The quest has always been so real...And undeniable...Man is supposed to be the ultimate creature on this Earth...But in the woods, he is just another predator, or prey to another..."What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger". Sorry so long, but I hope you read this...MaHalo! "I venture among the trees"
Cliff, I can only speak for myself but I'm a pretty good Hunter with many trophy quality public land kills in my album. You're one of the few guys on RU-vid. I can actually learn something new from. I don't care what gear your.wearing. How cool you look against the background, the setting the script. If you can teach me something new I am riveted. Thank you for all the advice and I look forward to using your advice this fall and many falls in the future. I am going into two new units this year in Oregon mule deer in Southern Oregon in the unit called Keno, and elk in Keating Oregon. I found your videos on glassing and scouting to be extremely helpful. Thanks again!.
I just want to say THANK YOU Cliff!! The content you're putting out for us is invaluable and I really appreciate it! As a Eastern Whitetail hunter in my 50s with two unsuccessful DIY elk hunts under my belt I feel like the clock is ticking. Anything I can do and/or learn to up the odds before these knees and back can't climb the mountain anymore is golden! Have a great season! 🏹👊
Hey Cliff two ideas for you: 1.) Lots of hunters post-2020 discovered it from you, JRE, Cam Hanes, etc. They've learned some things on the internet but may have drawn their first tag and never spent much time in the field. What advice would you give for someone getting into big game hunting? 2. Some videos focused on cow elk, specially post rut and late season
Wow! Great advice and timely. I just came back from 4 days (the only time I had available from work) on the Tops. My hunting partner and I were constantly seeing fresh steaming elk sign but we were not seeing the actual elk. No vocalization at all. No responses to calls either. We did bump a couple but not to the extent we expected based on the amount of sign we were seeing. I have hunted over 2 decades and I am at a loss as to what we should have done and what we were doing wrong. We didn't see any other hunters during that time and we were over 4 miles from the nearest road. We backpacked in and would hunt 5 to 6 miles from camp each day. Very frustrating...
Totally agree that a bull literally knows what bush you are calling from, seen it happen where you stop calling and they literally stand where you were. But don’t agree on them not liking to go up hill. You do it right they don’t care. But calling I. The right cover is always better than spot and stalk
Edits happen who cares, you're info and knowledge is hard earned and priceless. Over the counter tags are tough and often low percentage of success. Don't let the mental game take you out ,hunt your ass off. Your info is the best keep it coming. Just turned 72 and still able to day hunt 1-2 miles from the road,50 plus years of elk hunting and every one has been a blast. Accept nothing less.
@CliffGray you're welcome. When I was growing up we didn't have all the gadgets and the certain camo pattern and all the crap that is out there. Some is useful but you have to wade through a bunch that is there to make $! Keep up the videos and speaking your mind it's appreciated out there!
Awesome content! … got super hyped up on a hard scout this weekend and made a plan in that excitement. things I should already know and wasn’t thinking about. Was definitely about to make it way harder. realized how many times Ive repeatedly made some of these hunts harder on myself.
First time hunter here. I hunted a bit with my step dad when I was young but quit after awhile and just got back into it at 28. Interesting enough found a buddy at work to go hit areas 41,42,421 up near the grand junction area. Wish me luck lol as I have never hunted in the back country, let alone got a kill, but my gpa always said the best way to learn is to do it. Got a garmin satellite gps, .45 acp for bear protection (bear spray as well, and a ton of other stuff. Not expecting to get an elk my first try but I really want to fill my freezer and I’m determined to hike 10-20 miles in to get one.
Was successful on this years Colorado DIY OTC archery elk hunt - all of these tips just hit home, you literally described the pitfalls and success of the hunt!
I live in the East and traveled 10 years to Colorado for archery elk hunts on public OTC. What you describe as becoming anxious has always been around day 5 for me. I believe it is the lack of being social and having outside stimulus from people, radios, TV and vehicle traffic. You come from an environment that is full of stimulus for your brain. Several days without that stimulus and being in big mountains with huge space and silence is difficult to adjust to. I take Zanax with me and plan to travel into a town after a few days. Also, the change of sleep, exhaustion and constant exercise will wear you down physically. Take the mental affect with the physical affects it can and will create anxiety and depression. We killed 8 bull elk and 1 cow in 10 years on public land, DIY. Love the hunt!
Cliff your videos are so damn good and so useful I watch this when I first came out of the year ago and now I'm finding myself a few weeks before my big elk hunt health can you watch it all over again as a refresher.
Bwhaha yeah man… and I don’t really know if people prefer the heavily edited version (a video like this would have been 12-15mins) or this type of video. Time will tell!
@@CliffGray I didn’t mind this format. If it weren’t for the camera issues it would’ve just felt conversational. Which is cool compared to heavily edited stuff. Depends on the topic I would guess. You probably have enough subs at this point to do a mid archery season live stream which could be cool. Please plan it for September 23 so I can climb up to a ridge for cell service to ask you why I’m not finding any elk midway through my hunt lol.
Except for the rut behavior stuff, I feel like this will all apply to my general season rifle tag. I appreciate the authenticity and effort to get content out to us. I don’t need all the polish. Those highly edited videos seem like a bunch of ego stroking at some point. Good luck on your hunts!!
I enjoy the no nonsense approach and straight forwardness of the information you provide. I feel you give a true expectation without discouragement. I have been on one OTC Colorado bow elk hunt and tell persons that ask, I had an extremely difficult and expensive camping trip which I would not trade for the world! The experience left me craving more and wanting to apply what I had learned in the future. Keep this content coming and maybe you can discuss equipment you would recommend that really works in the field.
Well, good luck to you guys in CO. I'm kinda glad Archery is almost over for me. It's been a helluva year so far, and the season isn't over yet. Super anxious about this weekend. Labor day weekend with 80% chance of thunderstorms the whole weekend. Gonna be a lot of stupid happening, I just hope I avoid it all and come home safely.
Great advice Cliff. Especially the spot and stalk tip. These old cows are really savvy and they know what's up. Thanks for reminding us to enjoy the experience and don't get stupid in our expectations. Appreciate your sharing your experience and knowledge. Stay safe this fall.
Way to keep it real! I love getting back there and you’re right some of my hunts have out right sucked. Missed stalk after stalk with no luck, storms, bears, etc. We did succeed during rifle. Thank goodness! Either way I always walk away feeling blessed and grateful I’m able to get out and experience our wonderful outdoors. That means the world to me and I know others feel the same. Thx for the advice!
I don’t know whether to love you or hate you! You just gave a tremendous amount of accurate information. Know I’m going to be looking that F & G hidee-hole plan.
I've noticed that about elk hunting with myself. It is very psychologically challenging for me. I ask myself those same questions,"what am I doing here, I should be at home with my family","I should be doing something more productive."I don't know why it messes with my head like that but it does
Great info. I just did my first archery otc hunt. It was nothing short of magic. I had two close encounters with the same bull. I'll say the best piece of advice for elk hunting is not on you tube. You have to get out and experience what the animals do and don't do. I've got a long ways to go. I thought I was sneaky😆. Turns out these animals act allot different when you encounter them in their environment. I now plan to stalk any animal any time I can to get practice, cause these guys are not dumb. Anyways you got great content I always welcome any information that can help in the pursuit.
Only follow this advice if you’re ready to pack! Seriously. This guy nailed it for otc. Thanks Cliff for confirming much of what I have learned in Idaho. It’s a game of chess (not checkers) during the early season. Some thought about approach and where to set up makes all the difference. It ain’t Primos style, but it works! Giving you the horns on this one! 🤘
I live local to the flattops and elkhead mountains in Colorado. Just harvested a nice mule deer buck a couple days ago during 2nd season. Getting myself psyched up for 4th season elk hunt. This is great advice
True. The density here in NW MT is so low. No bugles. Light cow calls work. Just finding where they are frequenting and waiting is the best way to hunt them in our region. Social media is very misleading. Study the region you plan to hunt before you go out there blowing your hoochie mama thinking a bull is just going to show up.
Was turned on to your channel a few months ago and I absolutely spend Days watching and taking some notes. Going on my first OTC in Colorado this year/ Second Rifle season and while I don’t know What to expect like you said here, I do know one thing it’s going to be an adventure like you say that 98% of the people will Never experience. Oh yeah I got some of Justin’s Almond Butter and some Belvita Breakfast Biscuits and there actually pretty good with a cup of coffee. Thanks cliff for all the free advice you put out there for us
Hey Cliff, I just discovered that we've met! As a matter of fact, I was running around with one of your buddy's wives last weekend... All kidding aside, I was archery elk hunting in ID with the "J" of J&Z (we met at their wedding). Glad we have some mutual ground when it comes to quality folks. Best regards, Jimmy
@walker50aaron no, I've Escouted that area a bunch but I'm looking at some other stuff. I'm sure Sarvis is good. I'm going solo so I'm sticking to areas within 3 miles of a road
I've always wanted to hunt Sarvis. Not this year though. I'm sure you know that there's RMEF access from Stage Coach Res. to Sarvis. Likely crowded though with the lake campsites. Good luck!@@walker50aaron
Thank you Cliff, Flying out to Wyoming tomorrow to hunt Elk in the Wyoming Range with a bow ( first time ) honestly I will be happy to just set eyes on any Elk!!
Hahahah camera keeps dying lol. First part of the video so true. Take it easy on the first part of hunt. Watch the stress video cliff did. Keep stress levels low going into hunt and during the first 2-3 days.
Before watching this video I watched the Corey Jacobsen Sitka video. Well, I just went out and bugled super agreesive at a giant bull. It did not work. Eventually I heard a bark, up wind and complety out of sight. Going back to mohekin sneekin for the time being. It's 9/10 and only some soft bugling and chuckles thus far. Tomorrow they should screem!
Thank you for sharing your wisdom! I'm headed to AZ in early Dec for a unit 22 bull and ill be playing your words back in my head for sure! Keep it coming!
You’re the fuckin man! Appreciate the raw knowledge dump! I can tell you’re a master of the craft and how passionate you are. Downloading all this data to my brain for my first Colorado archery season coming in September!
Awesome video Cliff! Way to set the bar for OTC strategy and expectations. I only laugh in empathy for your camera malfunctions. It always seems to be at thr most inopportune time. All of them do it. Wait until you get a perfect killshot ruined by a malfunction.
You rock dude. I’m in the mountains, found a bed, but had no idea how to hunt it. Had super fresh sign last night. Hope I didn’t blow them out of there. Thanks Cliff BTW, I made some pemican like your video. It sucks LOL. Not sure what I did wrong.
I live in northern British Columbia Canada . We don’t have line of sight up here to glass elk. It’s crazy thick bush with big mountains and thermals . These elk know how to use these things to survive . They are hunted their whole lives by wolves and grizzly’s up here . I’ve killed 5 and called in 13 for friends . What I tell people when calling is don’t expect them to walk out into the open. They don’t do that very often . What i normally do is I’ll locate elk in the dark . If I get one answering in the morning I’ll send my friend into the Timber down wind . I’ll even exaggerate how far down wind as the bulls normally hook downwind of me to get my smell. I’ll keep that bull talking so the hunter can get reasonably close and hope I can pull the elk into a spot that they can shoot . It’s worked very well for me but you need the right people in the trees for that .
I have a lucky connection to an old neighbor who gets a herd across his property that I'll get the chance to take a cow elk on. BUT I'm excited to put the time in on an OTC tag for the real experience but not feel like my season was wasted. Cheating....maybe.
I know this in itself is an entirely different type of hunting and a beast of its own but the calling aspect sounds a lot of public land gobblers in the southeast. People tend to call and call and call in situations they shouldn’t. If you call and a gobbler responds and you KNOW it’s a response instead of calling again most of the time you can just wait for his next move and it pays of more than just blasting your call. Also, just like you said about the the elk, that gobbler knows exactly where you are when you call.
In units I've hunted where there is a ton of pressure, calling shuts them up. What i do is hope I can find an active bull and move in on him silently. It's worked well but you are at the mercy of their mood. It can be very frustrating when your not hearing anything, you start grouse hunting pretty fast!😂
Hey brother, I love your videos however you do them, but I do like this style a lot more. Let me see the fuck ups and everything, just start rolling and see what happens, to me it makes it more relatable. One more thing, it's really great to find somebody that actually knows what they're talking about, there's a ton of people out there making videos that don't have a fucking clue what they're doing. The Primos hunts everybody has seen are awesome to watch but in all my time hunting elk I've had that style of hunt maybe once or twice and I've hunted elk for 18 years now. I love calling and I practice all the time just because I love doing it, but I normally hunt in otc, highly pressured units just because that's all I can afford and the elk just flat out don't act like they do in all the Primos hunts it's fun and I have a blast anyway but I know what expect and I'm there to kill an elk to eat. If a calling opportunity presents itself I'm gonna jump all over it but it's a rarity. Anyway, enough of my blabbering. Thank you for making great videos with a ton of great advice.
@@CliffGrayThank you, I'll be hunting in unit 81 in Colorado this year, I leave on the 9th. Ya eve hunted that unit? If so ya got any tips? It's a new unit for me. I would REALLY appreciate any help.
