8 tips for a successful season
Hunting season is here and I am gearing up for a solo backcountry elk hunt. Ever since I was a young girl I’ve had this goal to harvest an elk and pack it out solo. While I know the task is not an easy one, I accept the challenge and aim to add it to my bucket of hunting experiences.
What’s new at What’s Your Wild Creative: I have launched a YouTube channel!! The first film to celebrate the launch is from a mule deer hunt in Nevada. The first 50 subscribers will be entered into winning a hydration set up from Hardside Hydration.
Moving forward on this new chapter I look forward to continuing to share wild places with you. Before I venture out into the mountains I wanted to leave you with a few tips that will help bring you success this season.
Remember the chapter you are in: Life happens and just because you had a really great season last year, doesn’t mean you will have one this year. You may be pregnant, just had a baby, have obligations for work or family life, so on and so forth. Some chapters you will hunt closer to home, then you may build that confidence and find yourself backpacking into a new spot you have e-scouted. Take the season as it comes and put your energy into the tags you have.
Trust your intuition: You know that voice in the back of your mind that says, “ I should take that trail..” or “maybe I should stop and glass before I cross this meadow?” That is your intuition leading you on your hunt. Lean into it and listen to it. I’ve had many successful days when my plan was thrown out the window because I chose to follow the sign on the mountain, and listened to that inner voice.
Have a positive mindset: Once you start going down the negative mindset it’s very difficult to come out of it. I’ve experienced it personally, plus it will ruin the hunt for others. When you blow a stalk, can’t catch up with the elk, or miss a shot, remain positive that these are lessons which are stepping stones to becoming a more successful hunter.
Have your gear ready to go the night before. This one I’m a stickler on, and being a guide it’s something that always makes me stop, breathe, and pause, well because as a guide you are always waiting on somebody. Having your lunch made and gear all packed up will ensure for a less hectic morning running around trying to find your left boot (yes this happened to me once, and I was forced to wear two right boots!) Don’t make your hunting buddy wait on you. Mornings offer some of the best hunting and being prompt and ontime can aid in being the first to the trailhead and in the luck of a harvest.
Have multiple backup plans. The worst thing is getting to a trailhead and there are 10+ vehicles there. Personally, not the type of experience I am looking for. Have a plan b,c,d,e and even f. This will ensure your time (which is valuable) will not be wasted trying to find a new spot to hunt.
Keep it fun and light hearted. I loved hunting with my dad and brothers growing up. There were always jokes and laughs happening. Harvesting an animal is the icing on the cake but remember cake is still delicious without the frosting.
Train for season. While its too late to start training as season has already begun, perhaps it will be a reminder to some, and for those of you reading who are not hunting until rifle season, or next year, this is your sign. Put on the boots, throw some weight in your pack and find a hill to climb. Every year guiding I have a client or two who are broken down by the mountain. Many people think the hunting TV shows are a representation of public land hunting and as most of us know, that’s not the case. The more you push your body to do hard things, the stronger your mind will be and when those days are long and your tired your mind will be trained to take what the mountain throws at you.
SLOW DOWN. Take a mountain to feel the breeze, to listen, to glass, to melt into the earth beneath you. Personally, I love to journal during season because being on the mountain offers my mind clarity and grounding to my body. As you walk through timber glass your way though. If you glass up an elk two ridges over, know there are most likely elk between you and the one you glassed. Slowing down (when the time is right) can bring you opportunity and a peaceful mindfulness.
I hope these tips are helpful for you this season. If you know someone who would benefit from this post please share it with them. I am not a perfect hunter, and I too am still learning, but as I learn I aim to share my lessons with you. All of the tips above are lessons I have learned over my lifetime of hunting.
Wishing you all the best this season, and as always, be safe.