ElkBros Blue Collar Elk Hunting

Do you have trouble judging the distances of elk responses and making a decision? What about the hard decisions concerning your hunting partner when things just aren't working out? On today's episode of Blue Collar Elk Hunting, our ElkBros Mailbox is overflowing and we all pitch in to answer some of the questions that you, our Grinders, are hoping to get a little help with. So the boys are in the...

It's the second half of our "Learn To Paint With Your Elk Calls". The seventh part in our ElkBros PreSeason Elk Hunting Guide Series. In this episode we talk about your Call Palette, Your Set-Up Canvas and Call Scenarios in a way that only the ElkBros do. We hope you enjoy the episode! In this Episode: - Creating an Illusion with your Calls - Engaging vs Non-engaging Scenarios - Situational Sketch...

Being able to call elk is an absolute GAME CHANGER! So how is it that almost 100% of elk hunters in September will be carrying an elk call of some kind and yet the success rate will be around 10% across the West nationwide? Is it because of a lack of knowledge or know how? The wrong type of call? Limiting equipment or skill sets? Or is it a lack of practice, the strategy they use or simply not kno...

Are you looking for information, tips or strategies to draw your New Mexico Elk Tag? ElkBros Coach Joe Giglia is joined by avid hunter and New Mexico Game & Fish Conservation Officer, Jared Burns to talk elk tags. This is a complete discussion on the New Mexico Draw System from the viewpoints of both residents and non-residents. Not only are there great tips to help your odds, but help with common...

Having the right mindset on an elk hunt, or in anything in life for that matter, matched with a solid skill set and needed knowledge are the foundations for consistent success. So just what is the right mindset? In this episode the ElkBros share their views from their experiences and what works for them. It's Part 6 of our ElkBros PreSeason Elk Hunting Guide, 8 Key Mindset Components and Expectati...

Current Overall Elk Hunter Success Rates : Archery 10 -12% . Rifle 12-25% depending on the area. But what if we told you that there is a way to beat those percentages! On this episode, the ElkBros coaches talk about the variables encountered that create such low success rates and what you can do to change that number through situational prep and proper scenario training. It's Part 5 of our ElkBros...

Just how important is the relationship of fitness to elk hunting success? Do I have to be in great shape to have success? What does it mean to be in Elk Shape? What are our focus areas of Conditioning and why? Are there any tips for things often missed in the conditioning/preseason prep phase? What about age groups and body sizes? When should I start? How often should I train? Do I need a gym memb...

When is the Best Time to Hunt Elk This Fall? With application deadlines right around the corner, it's the number one question hitting our mailbox. How to maximize opportunities by being in the elk woods at the right time. But just when is the RIGHT TIME?  It's Part 3 of our ElkBros PreSeason Elk Hunting Guide and we recommend watching this one on our ElkBros YouTube Channel! Our multi-part series...

You want to increase your chances to be successful next fall? Then that journey starts TODAY! Your Coaches continue with preseason tips and areas of focus that they feel would most improve your elk hunting opportunities to be successful. In this episode they discuss the commitment of doing more and the importance of getting out of your comfort zone. From there the session goes to situational prep...

You want to increase your chances to be successful next fall? Then that journey starts TODAY! It's what you do BETWEEN now and the fall or winter elk hunts that's going to mean the difference between punching your tag... or not. It doesn't matter whether your hunting season starts in September, October or even December. If you want to increase the odds in your favor, your PRESEASON starts NOW!  It...

Paul Medel, Michael Waddell, Dirk Durham, Michael Batease, Chris Roe, The Nada Grande Boys, Trevon Stoltzfus, Trent Fisher from Born and Raised Outdoors, Guy Duplantier of Western Contours, Chad Ryker from BackCountry Rookies and Jim Huntsman from the Western Huntsman and EVERY ONE of the ElkBros ARE ALL IN THE HOUSE giving their Advice! Y'all, this is an episode for the books!  On Today’s 100th E...

Elk hunting is about moments. Those times that define us as hunters. Possibly teach us lessons, or that give us the opportunity to grow. Over the years, our group has had so many moments. Failures, disappointments, struggles and exhilarations. Each moment teaching us a lesson. Lessons that we get to share with you in hopes of either helping you to flatten that learning curve, give you something to...

There are hundreds of reasons you should not be successful on your elk hunt. TO HECK WITH THOSE! If there are hundreds of reasons why each of us should not be successful, then why the heck is it that THE SAME guys are getting it done year after year? Is it luck? Absolutely not! Yes, a lot of their success has to do with knowledge and experience. That's an absolute fact. But when things are tough....

Guided or DIY elk hunts? A question we have been getting a lot these days. Many hunters planning their upcoming hunts, especially first timers, are weighing whether they should hunt DIY or consider hiring a guide: "What strengths does a guide bring to a hunt that I couldn't?" "Would I learn more from a guide?" "Will I have more success?" "Can I afford it?" "Can I get a guide on public land?" "What...

Have you ever suffered from the Post Elk Season Blues? You know what we mean. All that work. All that time preparing. Three hundred and fifty days of "I can't wait" and the next thing you know, it's over in a blink. The adventure you experienced and lived for getting farther and farther away in your rear view mirror. For a lot of us, it's more than the missing of the daily experience. For many of...

Want to know how the ElkBros Hunt? Then this is the show you don't want to miss! During their 7 day annual public land New Mexico archery elk hunt, the ElkBros crew have filled 12 of 16 tags in the last 3 years for a 75% success rate. ElkBros Coach Joe Giglia has taken 35 public land elk in the last 37 years while Pro Staffer and Blue Collar Elk Hunting Host, Gilbert Ornelas, is on a seven year st...

Late Season Elk Hunters... This one's for you! Whether you are hunting for a mature bull, a spike or a cow elk, the late season hunt is one of the best times to get that trophy bull or to put meat in the freezer. And trust us when we say that a cow elk hunt can be just as exciting, as much a trophy and just as rewarding as any mature bull hunt.  On Today’s Edition of Blue Collar Elk Hunting, It’s...

To be an Efficient Elk Hunter it means you get the job done quick, consistently and with deadly accuracy.  But just as there are efficient and inefficient predators, there are also efficient and inefficient elk hunters. The differences coming from having or lacking needed knowledge or skills. Every hole in your game as an elk hunter decreases your ability to create opportunities and can increase t...

Did you struggle during your hunt this year?… Are you struggling now? Whether you were successful or not, there are ALWAYS struggles of some kind during an elk hunt. Some in our control and some not. For those in our control we have to take an honest look in the mirror… and not make excuses. That's way to easy… and sets you up for continuing struggles and future disappointments. It's time to reval...

No one wants to be in this situation and it can be a hard subject… When the blood trail ends. Hunting such a strong and powerful animal as an elk, we not only need to talk about it, we need to prepare for it. If you do, it just might mean the difference between an incredible recovery or some tough days of doubt, head shaking, second guessing or hard regret. On Today’s Edition of Blue Collar Elk Hu...

It's October y'all and the firearm hunters are up! What an incredible time to be in the mountains! Leaves have turned or even falling. You can go from warm days to cold to snow in the blink of an eye! Not only can the weather change in an instant, but so can the elk. You can find the elk in one or a combination of three behavior phases in October; Rutting, Recovery or Winter Prep. Each bringing th...

This is a special InSights Edition Collaboration Podcast with Coach Joe Giglia and Chad Ryker from The Backcountry Rookies Podcast. They bring up scenarios, mistakes, possible solutions and share some incredible stories. Chad is doing a series called "Stories From the Hunt", where he interviews his guests about the ins and outs of their hunts this season. Chad thinks he is going to hear about Joe'...

Real people, real situations, all with either a lesson, perspective or inspiration. Each with a message meant to help us all with our journey as elk hunters. This our friends, are things for us all to think about. Today’s show is straight from you, our Grinders. There are so many stories and letters that we have received from the 2020 archery elk season. Plenty of success stories filled with excit...

FOUR BULLS IN FIVE DAYS ON NEW MEXICO PUBLIC LAND! Part 2 - Live from the ElkBros Elk Camp: The weather went from 90 degrees overnight to 23 degrees with snow on the ground and the bulls bugling! The Venezuelan Mafia have already tagged out and this time it's Joe and Gilbert getting it done. But this show is way more than just story time. Your coaches talk about some important aspects for us all t...

TWO TAGS FILLED! Part 1 live from the ElkBros Elk Camp: It's winter in September for the ElkBros! Snow, sleet, collapsing tents and temperatures in the twenties, but the boys keep on GRINDING! Silent bulls that are bachelored up and the effects on the rut from an eminent storm both before and after. You will hear real life scenarios and some of the lessons learned. How do you feel about cell phone...