2022 Archery Elk Hunting Update

Greetings elk hunters!  As archery season wraps up, one thought I’ve had is how different one season can be from the next.  This season really demonstrated that.  Weather wise, success rates, elk activity, hunter pressure…all these variables can vary from year to year and there are variables we largely can’t control. 

Keeping that in mind, it also really helps to have a variety of arrows in your quiver (pun fully intended).  I don’t necessarily mean broadheads, field tips, judo tips, etc. (although that’s not a bad idea either).  I mean having a multi-faceted game plan for when you head out that morning for your elk hunt. 

Our archery hunts this year were very hot weather wise.  The first week was absolutely punishing with temps pushing the upper 80s even at 9000’ elevation.  Compare that with last year when we had frost on the ground most mornings and significantly cooler temps.  This year, the first week had little to no hunter pressure where we were hunting in the opening week.  Compare that to last year’s opener when there was significantly more hunter pressure throughout our area. 

Elk activity this year seemed a touch slower compared to last year.  More bulls last year at that time were screaming and getting after it…the bulls this year didn’t seem to be hitting the wallows as much and numerous bulls spotted weren’t even close to rut behavior, almost more like summer moods in many.  Hunter success and opportunity were down this season compared to last as well.  But last year was pretty exceptional and this year wasn’t a dud by any stretch…just fewer arrows loosed.

Point being, knowing you have an outfitter/guide service that has taken this stuff into consideration and has a strategy to get hunters to the right places (most of the time!) is important in order to provide a quality and memorable hunt.  Knowing where elk funnel between feeding and bedding, knowing which wallows are being hit or will likely be used based on past seasons, anticipating the direction of thermals in various drainages, knowing common bedding areas to carefully hunt around when the elk aren’t talking, and emphasizing the importance of staying out all day despite the heat or cold or whatever. 

Case in point there, we were shaded up in a very tight, thick draw for the afternoon.  We knew a herd with a good bull had bedded within several hundred yards.  Despite temps being around 87 degrees in the sun, that herd bull made a cruise right through OUR bedding area at 12:30pm.  Why he was compelled to move around in the scorching sun at that time is beyond me but at 15 yards I’m not really asking that question.  Just two more steps and that bull would be in the freezer.  Had we not made the decision to stay out all day though, that opportunity would’ve never been realized. 

So have a multi-layered plan in mind for hunting when you’re out chasing elk DIY or ask us if you’re coming on a guided hunt with us (or with another outfit)…particularly for archery as behavioral changes are in full effect during September and that’s something we bowhunters need to take advantage of. 

One last tidbit, on September 4, 2021, one of our hunters named Mike shot a 6x6 off a wallow with one of our guides.  On September 3, 2022, one of our hunters named Mike shot a 6x6 off the same wallow with the same guide.  Actual shot time was also within a few hours of each other on their respective days.  It’s possible we may have to change that wallow’s name over to “Mike’s Wallow” going forward.

Have a safe and bountiful rest of your fall and good hunting.  Hunt hard, hunt smart, hunt safe and have fun!  Thank you as always for taking the time to read this and talk to you soon.