Killing Elk from Ground Blinds
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Inshart
08-Dec-17
This past September in CO, we met couple guys who hunt elk "almost" exclusively from ground blinds and talked about how close the elk get without spooking. They both live in CO and have been killing elk like this for many years. They said that they continually get elk coming within 10 yards. They seemed like stand up guys and not BS'ing us.
We talked about taking GB's with us next time but from our experience hunting white tails, if you don't brush them in the deer spook and/or shy away from them.
We're very interested in hearing your elk encounters from ground blinds? If you do use GB's, do you brush them in.
Thanks, Bob
From: Brun
08-Dec-17
We put one out this year and a bear tore it apart the first night. I have had some success on elk this way though. Brushing it in is always a good idea, but most important of course is wind direction. I also think it is a very good idea to put the blind out as long before your hunt as possible. This reduces scent and visual impact.
From: Rock
08-Dec-17
I set one up this fall for Mule Deer then walks a mile or more up the valley to scout a different spot. While glassing I looked back at my Blind and watch 55 head of Elk come out and walk past the blind on both sides and 1 Cow even walked or and sniffed it, could actually see it move when she touched it with her nose. Never spooked any of them and it was less than an hour after I set it up without brushing it in.
From: swede
08-Dec-17
Elk are not Whitetails. They will walk by your truck or ground blind without a problem. I believe all this is in part due to the large range area they cover.
From: HUNT MAN
08-Dec-17
Had them close very close
From: smarba
08-Dec-17
Pick a spot Hunt Man!
From: AZ Toad
08-Dec-17
This Sept. my daughter and I hunted out of a ground blind after being blow out of the tree stands for a couple of day. We hunted a spot that has produced from the ground but not from a tree stand. We set up the blind and brushed it in. We had cow tags and of course just a small bull came in that evening.We both ended up killing cows out of that blind.
From: Michael
08-Dec-17
Hunt, did you reach out and pet it? I bet that was a cool encounter.
From: Hunter42
08-Dec-17
We use ground blinds all the time. They work very good on elk.
From: MathewsMan
08-Dec-17
We had a permanent ground blind that was behind a blow-down aspen and then dug out an area behind a tree where our feet were, sort of like a pit-blind for pronghorn hunting. Killed numerous elk, mule deer, and bears. Over time, had some other logs and such around behind us so that the elk would not walk though or a bear sneak up right on top of our location.
From: David A.
10-Dec-17
Ground blinds would work better if the manufacturers didn't insist on putting windows everywhere. They would be a lot better at containing scent. The "ground flaps" many have in recent years has helped vs. the earlier models where the air could more easily circulate in and out of the blind at the bottom if there was a gap there.
From: Mr.C
13-Dec-17
I've got elk hair on the corner of two box blinds ,,,I guess they think its a rubbing posts,but they've been in the field for about 4 years now ,they'll even lay right next to them ,my last cow was about 8 feet away! build them in spring ,paint the inside dark I used brown and black! When the season rolls around they'll have forgotten all about ..very affective! it good luck MikeC
From: GF
13-Dec-17
Sounds like they can be plenty effective, but man.... I'd sure hate to travel 2,000 miles to be in Elk Country and then spend any of my Hunting Time sitting "indoors". Not that I'm a big fan of never getting within range of an Elk, but.....
Do you guys think they work because of the scent control or is it really just the concealment?
From: drycreek
13-Dec-17
Well since I can't physically enjoy elk country, if I could get to a blind I would sit in one all day every day for a week to kill an elk. Did it many times for pronghorns, so why not elk ? Only one thing tastes better than pronghorn, and that would be elk !
From: Mulehorn
13-Dec-17
One thing for sure, elk will pick your blind apart like no other animal.
From: Lefty
13-Dec-17
96 degrees spike walking by at 90 yards
96 degrees spike walking by at 90 yards
Ive had incredible experiences from a ground blind. cows and calves rubbing in front of the window,.. yep should have reached out and touched one. Missed shots. A bull sticking his nose inside and blowing snot . Make sure you can shoot all directions, a pair of 360 bulls walked 14 yards "downwind" and I never had window
From: Lefty
13-Dec-17
spike walking buy opening week 96 degrees
spike walking buy opening week 96 degrees
blind is 14 yards from the cows
blind is 14 yards from the cows
opps posted the one after that spike walked past I have a real sad trail cam pic; a 310 6x6 with my blind 22 yards away,.. and me 250 yards away
From: ELKMAN
14-Dec-17
If your willing to sit in a box with a tiny hole for a view while in elk country I'm sure it will work on some level. I wouldn't know. I would rather not kill an Elk than do that.
From: SlipShot
15-Dec-17
My son took his second bull from a ground blind at 5 yards with a rifle. We took the ground blind with us for years without using. The year that we used it, it was crazy cold with the temperature never getting out single digits. We set it up on a point overlooking a large sage valley that elk would transition through. The blind got us out of the wind and with the small propane heater we could hunt all day comfortable. The bull came from behind us and at one point sniffed the tent before he got to a point where my son could get a shot.
From: MathewsMan
15-Dec-17
I've killed elk from treestands as well. I guess when you drive 5 minutes to be on elk, it's not a big issue to sit in a blind.
From: Wild Bill
12-Jan-24
Here in Idaho, elk feed and water close to civilization, so, hunting blinds are pretty much dismissed by elk unless spooked. I like to locate my pop-up blind next to evergreen trees and brush becoming a part of what is already there. I really don't need to "brush it in." Location is the key to success! My hide needs to be located away from other hunters while covering a water source in a area with lots of fresh sign. Experience has taught me to locate my hide as far away from the kill zone as my weapon allows. If swirling thermals are a problem, I fill a mesh laundry bag (scent bag) with some type of strong smelling vegetation and hang my scent bag close to my hunting hide. I like to hunt active natural springs hidden away in the mountains. Elk love these spots! I prefer water resistance in my hide material. Mountain weather is very unpredictable! Hunting public land, I set my hide up early in the morning and tear it down when I'm ready to call it quits. Between wild critters and people with sticky fingers, hunting hides left alone do not last long. I reckon people figure, "If its left behind, then nobody wants it anymore."
From: bowyer45
12-Jan-24
Like hunting whitetails, it's still all about location!
From: GFL
12-Jan-24
Wallow way out in the middle of a field. Payed zero attention to blind or my shot.
From: Tilzbow
13-Jan-24
I’ve set up blinds one day and had elk coming in the next day that paid zero attention to the blind. Blinds weren’t brushed in and were set up in sagebrush covered hillsides overlooking water.
Blinds can be very effective in early archery seasons for cow elk (August 1 in NV) and the first week or so of early archery bull hunts in arid western states such as NV and Utah that begin in late August before the rut really gets going.
If I ever draw another NV bull tag I’ll be spending at least a few days at the start of the season sitting water but as soon as the rut kicks into gear I’ll be out chasing bugles for sure since that’s way more fun.
From: elkmtngear
13-Jan-24
I usually spend mornings "running and gunning". I've spent a lot of evenings in treestands, killed a lot of elk that way.
Wouldn't want to pack a popup blind too far in, but, wouldn't rule it out as an option for an evening waterhole and/or wallow sit, if condtions are right.
I might throw it in the truck this Year.
From: bluedog
13-Jan-24
I used to carry a lightweight folding camping chair on my day pack..I'd set up snugged against a dead fall . Think I killed 3 cow elk over the years in Arizona using that style. My bud used to always mutter something about me "killing them out of a fkn Minnesota duck blind" LOL
From: Stix
13-Jan-24
I use natural ground blinds exclusively. My current favorite is the inside of a giant juniper tree, limbs cut out near a waterhole. Last kill was 25 yards away (using a longbow)
From: Charlie Rehor
13-Jan-24
Made this natural ground blind on my AZ hunt last fall. Found this spot where trails were going north to south and east to west. Sat it 8 times and saw elk 6 times. Silly whitetail guy I am.
From: bluedog
13-Jan-24
"Wild Bill" is Pat's click building sock puppet. ;)
From: Jaquomo
13-Jan-24
He's doing it on the CO forum too. Maybe Pat got a new bot for Christmas?!
From: drycreek
13-Jan-24
Wild Willy has a way with words !
From: badbull
13-Jan-24
I think what Brun said back in 08-Dec-17 is right on and it can be productive if you use a ground blind. It can be really exciting to have them come close by but still hard to beat bugling them in. In my old age its sounding more and more like ground blinds are the way to go. Thanks for bringing this old thread back as it reminds me that I might try ground blinds again in order to stay in the game.
From: IdyllwildArcher
13-Jan-24
I killed a bull out of a ground blind. After a few days of watching bulls across a mountainside, I set up a ground blind at the foot of the mountain near water the night before and got in it early and called all morning with herd talk and bugles till one finally had enough and came down to investigate.
He walked right into 25 yards. I shot him and hit the ridge of the scapula with minimal penetration. He ran off to about 80 yards behind some brush and I started up again with frantic herd talk and bugles and he couldn't help but try and figure out what was going on and peaked back through at 45 yards and finally exposed his chest again and I double lunged him.
From: Insheart
13-Jan-24
Going to give it a try again this year.
From: bluedog
16-Jun-24
Maybe bot boy is just Pat's sock puppet?
From: Jaquomo
17-Jun-24
Here are some AI-generated tips for using ground blinds for elk hunting (with apologies to "Wild Bill")
1. *Choose the right location*: Set up your blind in an area with high elk activity, such as near water sources, feeding grounds, or migration routes.
2. *Select the appropriate blind*: Use a blind that matches the surroundings and has good camouflage properties.
3. *Set up early*: Get your blind in place well before the hunting season to allow the elk to become accustomed to its presence.
4. *Be patient*: Spend time in your blind, as elk can be unpredictable and may not appear on schedule.
5. *Stay concealed*: Keep movement and noise to a minimum to avoid spooking the elk.
6. *Use attractants*: Consider using elk calls, scents, or decoys to lure elk towards your blind.
7. *Be prepared*: Bring necessary gear, such as water, snacks, and extra ammo, to ensure a comfortable and successful hunt.
Remember to always follow local regulations and hunting ethics guidelines. Good luck with your hunt!
From: bluedog
17-Jun-24
LOL
From: Wild Bill
20-Jun-24
For the past 47 years, I've successfully hunted big game from a ground blind. In the beginning, I used a natural material ground blind. After they came up with popup grounds blinds, I switched to using the Rhino blind. I've had mule deer and whitetail decrease within point blank range. I've also had elk come close enough to hit them with a rock. The secret to using a ground blind is bringing all the; where, when, how, and why elk do what they do. Water, best grazing choice for the season, shaded bedding areas close by, Public to private cross over fence line spots, Sooner or later, hunting pressure will thin out. That's the best time to turn to ground blind hunting. Elk and deer return to their places of comfort. If your successful in scouting, you will have discovered where are those places of comfort. That's where you want to set up just far enough away for a shot. Cow elk are the most successful hunting for a ground blind. Once in a while, you'll have a herd bull with them, but you can count on a cow elk most of the time. Remember the hunter's saying, "Don't pass up a shot on a animal the first day, that you would have taken on the last day."
From: Michael
20-Jun-24
Ike’s bull was one of the funnest pack outs I ever had. We never even loaded our packs up. I was able to drive my jeep to within 200 yards of his downed bull. We would sprint up hill to the jeep with bags of meat thrown over our shoulders.
I hunted that blind later in the week and was able to call a bull down but he never did expose his chest to me.
The very next day while walking to the blind I called a bull in and shot it.
Here is Ike’s bull in the back of my jeep as we head off down the mountain at midnight.
From: sawtooth
20-Jun-24
Ground blinds work fine for elk.
From: Swede
20-Jun-24
I understand Lou was writing tongue-in-cheek, but I have learned the hard way not to set up a decoy near your ground blind or tree stand. You are located in the best possible location and expect elk to show up within bow range. Ground blinds will cause some elk to turn around and leave. Some are very spooked when they suddenly see one. I have had several other reactions to decoys. Some come in very cautiously and keep their eyes on it. One cow went over and sniffed my decoy on the way into water then sniffed it again when she left. If I was calling, then a decoy could be an asset, but since they were surprised to see an elk, some don't like it. The only calling I do from my stand is after I shoot an elk. Then it is just a cow call. I make one call before I get into my stand. I cannot move and hide from my stand. So, just like you do when you are calling elk, I call from a spot where the elk must come close enough for me to shoot it before it can determine no elk is there.
From: Jaquomo
20-Jun-24
Swede, I posted an actual ChatGPT reply to a question about ground blinds for elk. It was so similar to Wild Bill's normal AI-generated posts that I had to put it up. I actually started laughing when it popped up!
From: wyobullshooter
20-Jun-24
Swede, I do call from my stand, although it’s only a short series of mews every 10 minutes or so. I tried a decoy two separate times, and even though they heard those calls, they STILL didn’t like that decoy when they came in. Needless to say, that decoy has been gathering dust for several years.
From: Swede
21-Jun-24
Lou, I thought you stayed up all night thinking up that advise. It made reading the thread worth the price of admission. Wyo., I went to a birthday party a couple of weeks ago. We were all given little bite and blow noisemakers. They all had frilly strands attached to the end. I kept mine and threw it into my box of elk calls. Hummmm? I wonder.
From: Swede
21-Jun-24
I got to thinking more about Wyobullshooters comment about calling from his stand and remembered that in the year 2000 I cow called for over two hours at half hour intervals before I got a herd to come in. I had heard them enter a timber stand above where I was sitting and knew they were bedded down there. After every cow call, I would get an answer. Finally, they came running to where I was waiting. Even though I have experienced problems by elk coming into my calls, sometimes it works. That herd was cows, calves and spikes. I shot one of the spikes and ended my hunt the first day. I would certainly be interested in reading more about your experiences at cow calling from your stand and how you get it to work.
From: wyobullshooter
21-Jun-24
Swede, I’m in the same tree, doing the same routine, as I did when I started hunting with a stand over 25 years ago. I stop calling once I either see or hear elk coming in. If they hang up, I’ll direct my grunt tube in the opposite direction and give one or two soft mews. This is usually all the extra nudge they need to commit. Most times when they get in close, they'll stop to survey the area. Once they get in position to shoot, I wait till the near front leg starts to move forward and then I’ll give another soft mew. Invariably, they’ll stop with the goodies completely exposed. As I know you’re well aware, tree stand success comes down to three things…location, location, location. There’s only been two years that I couldn’t have killed an elk out if it had I not been picky, and my son has also killed elk out of my stand.
From: cnelk
21-Jun-24
I also call from my tree stand. And quit calling once I see elk
From: Jethro
21-Jun-24
We bring a blind with us. Use it as our chitter.
More interested, is Wild Bill a real person? Some have said Bot. Strange postings.
From: Jaquomo
21-Jun-24
Jethro, it is a curious thing. Even the weird PM he/it sent me appeared to be AI generated...
I've called in bulls and cows from a treestand back when I occasionally hunted from one. Light cow calling, intermittent. I also stop if I see them coming.
About 15 years ago when everybody started running around in the woods blowing on cow calls and pushing the button, the elk started sneaking in to see where the calling originated from, taking their time, stopping for long periods to stare, and being very cautious. Things changed.
From: Swede
21-Jun-24
Certainly, location is the key. I do not understand why I got so many hangups by elk after they responded to a call from my stand. Are the elk that hung up the same ones that react negatively at seeing a cow elk decoy when there was no calling to draw them? It is likely that the positive affect you get from cow calling is greater than the negative one you would get from seeing a decoy when you had not called. Larry D. Jones told me one time I should call from my stand. He too thought it was a good idea. I think I will go outside now and shoot my bow a few times. lol
From: Wild Bill
17-Jul-24
Pressured elk are extremely skittish. As a common hunter, I use a cow call sparingly just to see if I can catch an elk's curiosity. I wait in my hide for while to see if one is sneaking in for a look before calling again. Once I know they are coming, I shut up because that's what elk do. I've had a 6x6 bull follow a couple of cows in once. I've never used a elk tube ... to much of the wrong noise. I love it when a bull hears my cow call and bugles giving away its location. I usually call from my ground blind which has worked so far.
From: Charlie Rehor
17-Jul-24
Sage advice. Thx
From: KC9
18-Jul-24
I was hunting a couple years ago with an elk tag. I ran into an 82 year old gentleman that had a deer tag. He set this blind up the day before the opener, on opening day he didn't have any deer come in, but a 5 pt bull walked in and stood in the middle of this pond. The blind had been set up one day.
From: Sam
18-Jul-24
Ground blind, 50 yards
From: Sam
18-Jul-24
Where the bull stood looking back towards the blind. He and 14 cows totally bought it.
