Live Wild with Remi Warren — Episode 196: "You Found Elk, Now What?"

Release Date: August 14, 2025
Host: Remi Warren
Podcast Description: Remi Warren shares his outdoor experiences and hunting knowledge through stories and applicable tips and tactics from countless days in the wild.

1. Introduction to Episode’s Topic

In this episode of Live Wild with Remi Warren, titled "You Found Elk, Now What?", Remi delves into the critical phase of elk hunting that often poses the most significant challenge: what to do after successfully encountering elk. The focus is on transitioning from locating elk to effectively hunting them, ensuring hunters maximize their encounters and increase their chances of a successful harvest.

2. Play-by-Play of a Successful Elk Hunt Week

Remi begins by sharing a detailed account of a highly successful week-long elk hunt he conducted with a buddy. This hunt took place during an intense rutting period, characterized by abundant elk activity and frequent bull encounters.

• Initial Scouting: Remi scouted the hunting area extensively since early September, but initial days saw minimal activity due to hot weather and ongoing fires.

• Weather Turnaround: A sudden overnight rain and snowfall extinguished the fires, resulting in cooler temperatures. This shift stimulated elk activity dramatically the next day.

• Bull Encounters: On September 18th or 19th, Remi successfully harvested a bull before his buddy joined. Subsequent days were marked by relentless rutting activity, with bulls responding enthusiastically to calls.

Notable Quote:

“[05:30] Remi Warren: "It was super hot and, like, a lot of smoke, a lot of fires. And then weather moved in, and it was, like, overnight, a ton of rain... The elk just started firing off.”

3. Comparison to a Less Successful Hunt

Contrasting the previous success, Remi narrates a subsequent hunt with another buddy where the rut was subdued, leading to fewer encounters.

• Slow Start: Despite hunting the same areas, the following year saw decreased elk activity, with minimal bugling and sightings.

• Persistent Efforts: The duo employed varied strategies, including shifting vantage points and intensifying calling efforts. Over time, they managed to secure a bull, albeit after days of limited action.

• Outcome: While the hunt was ultimately successful, it lacked the consistency and excitement of the previous week, highlighting the variability in elk behavior and environmental factors.

Notable Quote:

“[15:45] Remi Warren: "...another hunt where, you know, it was like, there was no rut action. But once we found, we weren't just trying to find elk, it was finding elk where the action was good...”

4. Five Scenarios for Encountering Elk and Actions to Take

Remi outlines five common scenarios hunters face after encountering elk and provides strategic responses to each. These scenarios aim to help hunters stay on their elk and increase successful encounters.

Scenario 1: Losing Bulls During Morning Rut Activity

Situation: Bulls are actively bugling in the morning but scatter before hunters can take a shot.

Strategy:

• Repeat Morning Tactics: Remi suggests returning to the same bugling spot the next morning, anticipating the bulls to follow the same rutting pattern.
• Patience and Persistence: Even if bulls don't respond the following day, continuing early morning bugles often leads to repeated encounters.

Notable Quote:

“[25:10] Remi Warren: "I would repeat exactly what I did that next morning... Because I would believe that the cows were probably in a feeding area. The bulls are all there... and they're probably going to do that same pattern again.”

Scenario 2: Spotting Elk Feeding in the Evening

Situation: Elk are observed feeding in the evening, but activity is sparse.

Strategy:

• Morning Broadcasts: Set up a location bugle and cow calls 15 minutes before dawn in the same feeding area to attract bulls.
• Ambush Points: Utilize natural vantage points or ambush spots near observed feeding areas to maximize encounter chances.

Notable Quote:

“[35:50] Remi Warren: "I spot some elk way off in the distance... So what was next? We went in there in the dark the next morning... and I created that cow party, let the bugles rip.”

Scenario 3: Spotting Elk Bedded in the Middle of the Day

Situation: Elk are bedded during midday, and after a stalk or accidental disturbance, they scatter.

Strategy:

• Shadowing and Glassing: Attempt to follow the elk’s movement and use binoculars to locate their new position.
• Evening Calls: Use lost cow calls or location bugles in the evening to reactivate and relocate the elk.

Notable Quote:

“[45:20] Remi Warren: "If I’ve found elk in the middle of the day and they've moved off, my question is, where did they go? So I would try to shadow them... or throw out a lost cow call.”

Scenario 4: Encounter with Fired-Up Elk During Rut, Then Losing Them

Situation: During peak rut, bulls respond vigorously to calls but disappear before shots can be taken.

Strategy:

• Maintain Position: Stay within calling range and continue broadcasting calls without overextending, preventing the elk from being 'blown out'.
• Wait for Evening Activity: Often, bulls will respond again in the evening, providing another opportunity for an encounter.

Notable Quote:

“[52:15] Remi Warren: "...I would hang out in an area where I thought they might be close, and then I would wait for the evening to try to get them riled back up again.”

Scenario 5: Consistently Slow Hunts with Few Encounters

Situation: Despite finding elk, hunters face minimal responses to calls and limited encounters.

Strategy:

• Vantage Point Optimization: Reevaluate and shift to different vantage points, enhancing visibility and calling effectiveness.
• Continuous Movement: Keep exploring new areas rather than committing to one spot, increasing the likelihood of encountering more active elk.

Notable Quote:

“[60:45] Remi Warren: "...I would probably hike over the next basin and see if they’re there... I would rather just find the elk and then hunt those elk.”

5. Insights on Elk Hunting Strategies

Throughout the episode, Remi emphasizes several key insights that underpin successful elk hunting:

• Flexibility is Crucial: Adaptability in strategies based on elk behavior and environmental conditions can make the difference between a successful hunt and a frustrating experience.

• Understanding Elk Patterns: Knowledge of elk movement patterns, especially during the rut, allows hunters to anticipate and stay on their elk.

• Persistence Pays Off: Continuous effort in calling and relocating, even after setbacks, increases encounter rates and hunting success.

• Mental Resilience: Maintaining patience and a positive mindset during slow periods is essential, as memorable encounters often overshadow long stretches of inactivity.

Notable Quote:

“[75:30] Remi Warren: "By knowing a few things about the way that elk move... you're a lot more likely to continue getting on those elk.”

Conclusion

Episode 196 of Live Wild with Remi Warren provides an in-depth exploration of post-encounter strategies in elk hunting. Through personal anecdotes and practical scenarios, Remi equips hunters with actionable tactics to maximize their encounters and enhance their hunting success. Whether dealing with highly active rutting elk or navigating slower hunting periods, the insights shared offer valuable guidance for both novice and seasoned hunters aiming to "live wild" and thrive in the elkwoods.

For more tips, stories, and hunting strategies, subscribe to Live Wild with Remi Warren and join Remi on his ongoing adventures in the wild.