Early summer has always been a time period of reflection for me. It’s the calm before the storm where long summer nights provide the extra hours to prepare and plan for a busy fall. However, my adventures nowadays look a bit different from years past. As I progress throughout my journey of life, hunting, and the great outdoors, I’ve witnessed a process of self-evolution. During my younger years I longed for the almighty kill; to conquer both the mountain and the beast with nothing but myself standing in the way. As I transition into fatherhood and all of the beautiful (and challenging) things that being a parent entails, my heart places an extremely high value on creating lasting memories, especially those that involve my son.

Everett will turn two years old in August and our fun together is only just beginning. We go on hikes through the aspens, ride bikes along winding rivers, pick up rocks in the sand, smell flowers in meadows, as well as look for deer and elk. Most recently we started shooting bows together. My MX-16 is a bit higher poundage and has a slightly longer draw length than his but nonetheless, he’s bombing them downrange quite nicely. His form could use a little work and he closes his eyes every time he lets the string go but he’ll get the hang of it shortly. 

All jokes aside, I do dream of the day that he becomes a better hunter and archer than me. I have no doubt that if he takes to shooting a bow like I did as a child, he will certainly surpass anything I’ve done and will be teaching me lessons in the not-so-distant future. On the complete opposite spectrum, I wonder if he will have even the slightest interest in archery and if not, that’s quite alright. I’ll still love him exactly the same… for the most part. If it makes any difference at all, I plan to keep involving him in this lifestyle and leading by example with the hopes he holds the same passion for the outdoors as I do. So far I think we are off to a great start and that’s all a father like me can ask for. 

In addition to creating memories, I have been working on slowing my life down so I can spend more time with my son. Sometimes you have to let go of things in order to gain and I’ve come to realize I only have so many days, months, and years with this little guy before he’s out of the house and off to the real world. Everything in his life right now is a blank canvas just waiting to be painted, whether it’s digging in the dirt, looking for animals, or shooting a bow, I want to soak in every single moment. 

At the end of the day when my time on this Earth has come to a close, the mounts on the wall or the inches in the record books simply will not matter. It’s the special moments created over a lifetime with close friends and family that will remain and live on forever. I’ll be shooting my bow and exploring outside as often as I can this summer with Everett and I hope you are able to do the same with your family. Happy Father’s day to all of you hard-working Dads out there and keep creating those memories.

We then discuss how his hunting strategy and tactics he has used over the past few seasons that have helped increase the odds of success on public land elk. He also dives into a few gear items he has switched up and added to his setup recently along with some photography discussion as well. It’s always a pleasure getting to talk with Fred. I really enjoyed this episode and I hope you do too!

If you enjoy well-written hunting stories and fantastic outdoor photography, make sure to check out www.fredbohm.com.

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High country mule deer hunting is no joke. The terrain is rugged and the air is thin so I spent months planning for this hunt. I dive into how I prepared myself physically, what gear I added to my pack, and how I scouted this new area prior to showing up on the mountain with a bow in hand. This was a really cool story to tell and I hope you enjoy it!

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As we move into the middle of September with two weeks of archery remaining and four rifle seasons knocking at the door, it’s safe to say elk hunting is currently in full swing. Colorado boasts more elk inside its borders than any other state in the country and with plenty of over-the-counter (OTC) opportunities, there’s no wonder why the Centennial State attracts a quarter-million elk hunters each fall. 

I moved to Colorado in 2015 and ever since my first elk season, I’ve noticed an increase in hunting pressure year over year, especially on public land. With elk hunting gaining in overall popularity, advancements in gear technology, and a geographic location that lends itself well to the shortest amount of travel for many non-residents, Colorado elk get pressured…HARD.

In addition to my own hunting experiences, I get the chance to hear stories from many groups of hunters that rent elk hunting cabins from me in Southwest Colorado as well as guests that I have on the Transition Wild Podcast. When pressure increases, I’ve noticed some commonalities among people who pack out heavy versus those who make the long drive home with empty coolers. Keeping this in mind, here are three simple strategies that will help increase the odds of killing a highly pressured public land elk in Colorado during the 2020 season, and years ahead.

Sit More, Call Less

Hands down the most successful elk hunters in Colorado I’ve seen as of recent are those who find the fresh sign and set up shop for hours or days on end. This often goes against the status quo especially for archery hunters who are chasing rut crazed bugles in September but you have to remember, these are not the Primo’s videos from the late ’90s. Are elk killed by running down bugles and hiking endless miles of wilderness? Of course, but I’ve consistently witnessed a higher success rate among those who implement the waiting game, especially for beginners who do not have a lot of western hunting experience.

To give you a few examples, I had a group of hunters stay at our cabins during the third week of September in 2019 and one of the guys was an elderly gentleman in his mid-seventies. He walked with a pretty good limp so I anticipated some rough days ahead but wouldn’t you know it, later that week he sent me photos of a 6×7 he had taken with his bow while sitting on an aspen bench not too far from the road. During the 2016 season, I implemented this same strategy where I sat over a small meadow and shot my first bull as he walked past me at 25 yards. And most recently, I saw the same thing utilized by the guys at GoHunt on their latest short film, “Out West – A Wyoming Backcountry Elk Hunt”. Chris and Trail spent many days putting on the miles with no shot opportunities before coming across a small meadow and a wallow with tons of hot sign. When the calling and chasing game didn’t produce, they staked out an ambush location and shot two beautiful bulls during the remaining days of their hunt.  

The moral of the story, if you find really good sign, don’t be afraid to get comfy. Yes, perhaps the guy who covers the miles and is a better caller will get more eyes on elk, but I’m a firm believer that in a highly pressured state such as Colorado, the guy or gal who patiently waits will have better odds of actually killing. Unless you are Paul “Elk Nut” Medel, there is a big difference between calling in 10 elk that come in silent and pick you off before you can draw your weapon versus just one bull that gives you a chip shot as he calmly walks by. Depending on your level of elk hunting experience, it could be a more productive strategy because it’s all about maximizing your chance at a SHOT OPPORTUNITY, rather than just a close encounter. Both are cool, but which one would you rather have?

Get Up Early, Stay Late

As the hunting pressure sets in, the chances of catching an elk cruising through an aspen bench or feeding in an open meadow can be extremely limited during daylight hours so it’s important to get in early and stay late. This could mean waking up at 3 am and hiking two hours up a mountain to be in position well before dawn and staying in those prime locations until the very last minute of legal shooting light. It’s not always fun picking your way through down-fall timber in the dark, but if you want to maximize the chance for a shot on goal, literally every minute counts. It’s a total grind and you’ll certainly be worn down but it can pay dividends while everyone else is sleeping in or getting back to camp well before sunset. 

I had Cliff Gray of Flat Tops Wilderness Guides on my podcast to talk about Colorado elk hunting and he filled us in on what separates the men from the boys when it comes to consistently killing elk. He gave us the example of a pair of guys that have hunted out of his drop-camps for many years and they double up on bulls each season. A big part to their success is that they are always the first to leave camp in the morning and are always the last to return in the evening, putting in a serious amount of effort that most people aren’t willing to do.

The biggest takeaway I’ve seen from many people who are successful is they keep grinding and don’t let the little obstacles or failures get them down. Grinding doesn’t necessarily entail hiking 12 miles day after day, it just means getting after it and hunting while others are sleeping or heading back to camp early, even if you only get a quarter-mile off the road and sit on a well-used game trail. Successful elk hunters are mentally tough and will stay focused on the task at hand even if they aren’t seeing elk on a daily basis. As the old saying goes, “You can’t kill em’ from the couch!”

Think Outside the Box (And The National Forest)

When people envision pristine, romantic elk country, they envision miles and miles of endless National Forest above 10,000 feet, but how many other hunters are headed to that same destination? I’m constantly driving forest service roads throughout the Fall and it’s not uncommon to see wall tents, campers, and outfitters galore throughout many parcels of USFS land. Although elk are found in good numbers on National Forest, the hunting pressure can be extremely high. If you are running into more people than animals, it may be a good opportunity to explore some new ground in areas that you may have passed by previously. 

I had Jared Scheffler of Whitetail Adrenaline on my podcast to talk about public land elk hunting and he describes a scenario where he was chasing a big bull in Colorado on a smaller chunk of lower elevation BLM land. He stated that everyone else was overlooking this sagebrush honey hole as he watched countless vehicles filled with hunters drive past him on their way to National Forest in search of “greener pastures.” Meanwhile, Jared was hunting unpressured elk in an area that had virtually no other hunters, which is always an ideal situation.  

2020 has been a dry summer in Colorado and even though we recently had precipitation, lush high country feed is pretty burnt up. During dry years I will concentrate some of my efforts on lower elevation public lands that border irrigated alfalfa fields on private property. Elk require around 15-20 pounds of vegetation per day to sustain themselves so if I find a well-known food source such as agricultural cropland, I’ll try to position myself on a travel corridor between bedding and feed in hopes of catching one strolling by in search of a snack. 

Prior to your hunt, take some time to digital scout other areas as backup plans if option A doesn’t pan out the way you thought it would. Look for small slivers of public land nestled between private ranches that may be tough to access due to terrain obstacles such as a river or a steep ravine. These areas will hold elk if no one else has been hunting there and they might just be closer than you think. 

Chase The Experience You’re After

Hey, if you want to cover miles of ridgetops in the National Forest at 11,000 feet, pushing out bugles every 20 minutes, then more power to you! Elk hunting is about the experience YOU want to have and I won’t knock anyone for implementing any legal strategy or tactic. I’m just here to share what I’ve seen work, especially for beginners who may not be in their best physical shape, who may not be able to sound the best calls or have very limited elk hunting expertise altogether. Sometimes it’s best to keep things simple and rely on patience, creativity, and grit as opposed to muscles and bugles as the only way to get it done, especially in highly pressured Colorado. Good luck this fall, hunt hard, and shoot straight!

Brandon is a whitetail hunter from Tennessee and we cover his first elk hunting experience during the 2019 season where he embarked on a solo archery hunt in Utah. We discuss the struggles and challenges he faced during his time afield and what he learned to better prepare himself for future endeavors to the mountains. This is a really fun episode and is jam packed with inspiration for the everyday, DIY elk hunter.

Check out Brandon’s YouTube channel here: Brandon Mcdonald Archery.

When I first put my hands on the 2020 flagship MX-16 from Xpedition Archery, I instantly knew this was a bow built with the western hunter in mind. The 2019 Mako-X from the year prior was an impressive compound bow to say the least but the MX-16 is in a totally different league of its own. While traversing rugged terrain, I expect the confidence in knowing that my equipment will meet the demands of whatever the mountains may throw my way, along with the speed and accuracy to effectively take down big game. From its forged, caged riser design that can withstand the apocalypse to its butter smooth draw cycle, this bow has it all. 

Specifications

Speed – 350fps

Weight – 4.2lbs 

Axle to Axle Length – 32.75”

Brace Height – 6”

Draw Weight – 40, 50, 60, 65, 70lbs

Draw Length – 26” – 31”

Draw Length Adjustment – .5” increments, no press required.

Let Off – 80%

Riser Color Options – Realtree Timber, Realtree Edge, Realtree Excape, Molten Black, Tactical Sand, OPS Green

String Color Options – Black (Custom Colors Available: ODGreen, Kiwi, Fluorescent Green, Natural, Medium Brown, Fluorescent Purple, Fluorescent Pink, Fluorescent Orange, Electric Red, Red)

Limb Finishes – Realtree Edge, Realtree Excape, Molten Black

MSRP – $1,099

Durability 

If I had to rank various features of a bow from desirable to not as important, when it comes to breeding confidence in my equipment, I’ll put durability as number one every single time. Once I leave camp behind I want to know that my hunting rig will still be in one piece if it takes a tumble down the mountain or it falls out of the back of my truck while driving down the highway. 

Every well built house starts with a solid foundation and the same thing holds true with building a bow, as the riser is essentially the base to which everything else is tied to. What makes this bow extremely durable is its caged riser design from a forged aluminum process, providing unmatched stability and increased rigidity. Past flagship models of Xpedition bows utilized an extrusion process so a forged riser is a huge step up for 2020. 

Other features you will notice about this bow are its new and improved limb pockets and limb coating. This years design connects the front pocket to the rear pivots to lock the limbs in place without having to worry about twist, warp, or movement from years of mountain abuse. To top it off, the all-new coating process improves the material quality and limb consistency to add further durability.

If you need more proof that the MX-16 is an absolute tank, listen to Episode 58 of the Transition Wild Podcast where Curt Headington of Xpedition Archery talks about his bow getting run over by a UTV while packing out an entire elk!

Performance

I know the word “performance” is pretty generic terminology when it comes to describing a bow but simply put, a western hunting bow needs to be a top notch performer when it comes to both speed and accuracy. The animals are bigger and the shots (depending on terrain) can be farther so a compound suited for western country needs to deliver blazing speeds while maintaining forgiveness and accuracy. Delivering an IBO of 350 fps and a super smooth Hybrid Dual Stop (HDS) cam system, the MX-16 is the perfect blend of power and shootability. 

With a deeply rooted aerospace background, Xpedition knows what it takes to produce consistent quality by maintaining the tightest build tolerances. This attention to detail and years of manufacturing experience paired with a 6-inch brace height and a 32.75” axle to axle riser length make this a very forgiving and easy to shoot bow. The MX-16 is also equipped with BCY 454 string material from Gas Bow Strings, which is like having a custom designed string on a production bow, delivering longevity and consistent shot repeatability. An added plus to the forged, caged riser is more vibration absorption, making this a whisper quiet setup when a longer shot is necessary. 

What I Love About This Bow So Far

I used to prefer more of a “spongy” back wall but I’ve really been digging the built in limb stops for a rock solid hold at full draw. I’ve noticed that this has helped me with accuracy by providing a more comfortable, steady hold for a prolonged period while shooting. In the past I’ve also been more of a compact, short ATA guy but I’m loving the 32.75” axle to axle length on this bow. Every arrow sent down range is met with more forgiveness and stabilization which has helped my shot accuracy as well. 

I’ve been target practicing with the MX-16 since December and I can honestly say that I am thoroughly impressed with it so far, but I can’t wait to put it to use on some critters in 2020. Colorado’s turkey season opened up a few weeks ago and I’m hoping to do a Texas hog hunt this Summer before chasing velvet mule deer at 12,000 feet later this fall. If all goes to plan, the MX-16 should have a fair amount of blood to its name by the end of the year!

For further reading material, check out Field & Stream’s 2020 Flagship Bow Test where the MX-16 recently received high accolades and beat out many other bows from well-known brands. Xpedition’s are sold at various archery retailers nationwide so I encourage you to go shoot one for yourself… I promise you won’t be disappointed. For more information on Xpedition Archery or to find a retailer near you, please visit www.xpeditionarchery.com. 

We also cover his 2019 whitetail hunt from last fall where he was able to take a great deer using the whitetail buck decoy in Kansas. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!

For more information on Heads Up Decoy, please visit www.headsupdecoy.com

We also talk about the design and manufacturing process of building a compound bow and what it takes to produce high quality, durable hunting and target shooting bows year after year. For more information, please visit www.xpeditionarchery.com.

Fred gives us the details of the past season including antelope, high country mule deer, whitetail, and the adventures of public land. We also cover his photography tutorials which is a multi-part series on his website that is dedicated to helping hunters take better photos while afield. We then talk about his creative writing style and some of the more recent articles he has written.

For more information and to follow Fred’s work, please visit www.fredbohm.com.

David is a DIY elk hunter so we cover a lot of his preparation for this hunt when he found out he drew the tag earlier in the year. David walks us through his scouting efforts, running trail cameras, and how he constructed a detailed game plan for the trip. Lastly, David recounts his week-long hunt and the details of how he killed a New Mexico monster!