Hiawatha

I was wondering how many of you guys use stands for archery elk season. Any of the elk hunting I have seen on TV and the majority of the stories on here involve strictly groundwork. Up in sask I use a stand 90% of the time for archery elk. I find that the elk are very easy to pattern in late august which makes staying put in one spot beneficial. The forest in my area is quite thick and the animals seem to stick to main trails so it is up to you tobe on the right trail at the right time. I was just curious as to those who do not use stands why do you choose to do so? Is it because the patterns are too difficult to predict there, or the lay of the land. I tell fellas from the states who come up deer hunting that i use a stand for elk and they think i'm a squirrel lol but it seems to work for me.

game4lunch

No stand. Probably never will.

For starters, elk around here just don't seem to be that predictable. The old timers will tell you, "Elk are where you find them".
So a tree stand just isn't going to gain popularity. Besides, my hunting ground encompasses a little over 300K acres of Nat'l Forrest. (484 sq mi).
You need to stay mobile, flexible, and willing to go to the elk.

For me personally... I'm 5'10" and 325 pounds. No way are you putting me 20 feet up a tree!!

There are rumors that the occasional guy (usually from back east) will sit in stand over an active wallow. But who knows what success they have.

elkbane

I agree with game4lunch. where i have hunted elk they have been unpredictable and difficult to pattern. They seem to move all over the place and you have to be able to adapt and follow them, which leaves little use for a stand. You could camp out on a game trail or by a wallow, but their range is so big they might not visit that particular area for a week.

Howler

I agree, that the elk found on most public grounds are where you find them. The likelihood that hunting pressure will make them change thier patterns is pretty high. With that said though, if water is far and few between and the temps. are above average during the rut, then a ground blind or tree stand near an active wallow or drinking sourcecould certainly be effective.
I much prefer locating them and calling them to me, over the sit and wait tactic!

elknut1

Treestanding for elk is a very effective way to hunt them. Waterholes/wallows are your best bet. Find an active wallow & you're in buisness. Sit it the last 2-1/2 hours of daylight & you'll be amazed at your results. Give off a few selective elk sounds & some aggressive splashing & sit back & wait.

Even when elk are being pressured they'll still hit these areas right before dark. Trails leading from bedding to feeding areas are also a good bet. Escape routes & so on. I find stand hunting is great for evening hunts as it saves the legs for some good running & gunning come morning.

ElkNut1