DON'T GET YOUR BUTT CAUGHT IN THE WIND. The morning and evening thermals cause the wind to blow down-canyon and downhill in the mornings. Elk know this. And while the wind is still blowing downhill, in their face, they usually leave their feeding area and move up the mountain to their bedding area. That's why morning stalks are tough. We watched the hunter in this video try to sneak up on a herd of elk in the morning while the wind was blowing down canyon, into his face. As we predicted, the sun continued to rise in the morning, the canyon warmed up and the thermals kicked-in and the wind switched and began blowing up-canyon toward the elk herd. In seconds, hundreds of elk smelled the hunter as his scent was carried on the wind directly to the elk in the narrow canyon. And as we predicted, the elk blew out of the canyon and ran to higher ground. The elk didn't go far--they climbed about 3/4 of the way up the mountain and then bedded up high. From their bedding area, the elk can see and smell any threat coming from the canyon bottom. That's why I like to stalk elk in the afternoon from above. We run the ridges until we're directly above them and then we stalk down to their bedding area with the wind in our face. And it's amazing how close you can get to a herd of elk if you move slowly and stay flat below the height of the grass. It takes hours to do a stalk properly and the afternoon thermals provide the necessary time window to perform a proper stalk. Morning stalks are the worst because the thermals switch shortly after sunrise and the elk tend to move to their bedding area just before the thermals change--these factors set you up for failure. A good stalk requires time and requires the animal to stay put--neither happen in the morning. Kill them in the afternoon--that's the money time. If you missed this elk video, the link is my bio. #brian_call #grittyyoutubeseries #mountainhunting #elk #elkhunting #iisy #meateater #grittytactics
Here's a little video that shows my first impression of these two new shelters from PEAX. Check it out!
Brad and I sit down with Ryan Lampers and Mark Livesay and discuss food preparation, electrolytes and more about backcountry nutrition. Don't forget, you have until April 9, 11:59pm MST to head over to https://www.peaxequipment.com/pages/gritty-ultimate-equipment-giveaway to get entered into the big giveaway. Be sure to use the code "GRITTY" to save. Also, visit https://initialascent.com/ and shop. Every $25 spent while using the code "GRITTY' will get you entered into that prize package.
Ryan Lampers, Mark Livesay, myself and Brad Hunt sit down and discuss things we learned from bear season last year. We talk about what we might change and do differently if we are put into those situations this year. Don't forget, you have until April 9, 11:59pm MST to head over to https://www.peaxequipment.com/pages/gritty-ultimate-equipment-giveaway to get entered into the big giveaway. Be sure to use the code "GRITTY" to save. Also, visit https://initialascent.com/ and shop. Every $25 spent while using the code "GRITTY' will get you entered into that prize package.
On this episode Brad and I sit down with Justin Webb from Foundation for Wildlife Management. I believe every western hunter should be a member to the F4WM. We discuss what it is all about and how you can do your part to help control wolf populations and to help those who are putting in an effort to manage wolves. Visit https://f4wm.org/ and become a member today.
Also, don't forget about the two big giveaways we have going on now with Peax Equipment and Initial Ascent. Click the links below to shop and be entered. Giveaways end April 9, 2023 11:59pm MST. Get your limited Peax-Gritty "SOME MEN CAN AND SOME MEN CAN'T" T-Shirt with the link below.
https://www.peaxequipment.com/pages/gritty-ultimate-equipment-giveaway
Shop Initial Ascent https://initialascent.com/
First off — good luck to everyone heading out for hunts this fall. Can’t wait to see your photos, stories, and the action roll in here in the Hideout.
Over the next 4–6 weeks, Brian and I will both be in and out w/ hunts. But we want to keep the Hideout rolling with our weekly livestreams.
Here’s the plan:
🎥 Brian’s going to try streaming live straight from the mountain.
• Depending on the hunt and conditions, he may have to bail last minute — but we’re sure going to try.
• Please be patient and keep an eye on the posts for updates.
Plan on the same nights / same times as usual.
For the weeks we’re able to pull this off, there will be giveaways, but because i won't be able to be on at the same time, we’ll run those later in the week and post winners right here in the member chat.
Thanks for sticking with us, and for being part of this community.
Stay gritty,
– Travis & Brian
Found a couple new bucks tonight! This old buck is about 250 yards from my tent.
