By Zach Bowhay

Now is the Time to Reflect on This Season’s Failures!

It’s often difficult to admit our flaws as humans- and especially as men. Ego and pride can cloud our judgment, preventing us from objectively assessing our actions. This is just as true in elk hunting as in other aspects of life. Sometimes, the hunt we’ve spent so much time planning doesn’t go as anticipated. While there are factors beyond our control, choices or actions within our power often could have enhanced the experience or led to greater success.

Some hunters are still out there, grinding away for that big bull or a cow to fill the freezer. But for many of us, including myself, the season has ended, leaving us reflecting on what might have been or what’s to come. It’s natural to replay the good and bad moments and wonder what we could have done differently.

With the memories of our fall hunts still fresh, now is the perfect time to assess what we’ve learned and identify areas for growth. Whether improving our skills, refining our strategies, or simply being better prepared, reflection is the first step toward becoming better hunters and better versions of ourselves.

I Need to Scout More

Over the years, I’ve enjoyed plenty of success in the elk woods. But as I’ve gotten older and more experienced, I’ve started to feel like I don’t need to scout as much as I used to. When it comes to the core areas I’ve hunted my whole life, this logic seems sound since elk are creatures of habit, and year after year, they tend to show up in the same areas. Excessive scouting may not seem necessary if you know those areas well and understand how to hunt them.

However, times have changed. Not long ago, many of us could spend an entire season hunting a core area, consistently having great hunts. But today, hunting pressure on public lands has reached unprecedented levels. Competition is fierce, which alone is a compelling reason to prioritize scouting.

My focus for 2025, and something I encourage you to consider, is finding new areas to hunt. You don’t have to abandon the places you know and love, but having backup options is essential. A well-scouted alternative could save your season if hunting pressure becomes unbearable or the action slows. Without other options, it’s easy to fall into the trap of repeating the same routines, even when they aren’t yielding results.

New areas don’t have to be far away, either. I learned this lesson firsthand. My family’s elk camp used to hunt a handful of canyons at the head of a major drainage, and we took more bulls out of there than I can count. But as the years passed, word got out, and more hunters started showing up. I don’t blame them—it was a great spot. Still, it forced me and my hunting partners to adapt. We began scouting and hunting other areas nearby, places we had overlooked for years. Once we expanded, we realized we’d been missing more opportunities and success.

This year, though, I hit a wall. The hunting wasn’t great, and I ran out of ideas and spots. My pledge for 2025 is to scout, expand, and prepare plans C, D, E, and F before the season starts. I’m confident that by doing this, I’ll be ready for anything the next season throws my way—and I’m confident you won’t regret doing the same.

Scouting isn’t just preparation; it’s a way to unlock new potential and reignite your excitement for the hunt. The payoff? More options, more flexibility, and ultimately, more success.

Knowing When It’s Time to Bail

Recently, Cody and I recorded a season recap podcast (Perseverance Pays Off: Zach Bowhay’s Epic Elk Season - Elk Hunt | Podcast on Spotify) and a question every elk hunter faces came up. When is it time to bail on the spot and move on? It’s not always an easy decision but can make or break a hunt.

Sometimes, the timing or conditions in a spot aren’t right, and the chances of killing a bull are slim—even if you’re finding signs or seeing and hearing elk. Recognizing when this is the case is a skill that often comes with experience. Walking away from a spot where you’ve invested time and effort is tough, but sometimes, cutting your losses is the best move.

There are many reasons a spot might not work: bad wind, too much hunting pressure, difficult terrain, or even something intangible that doesn’t feel right. The key is to remind yourself of a hard truth: sometimes, you must leave elk to find elk.

This is especially important if you’re pressed for time. For those who only have a week or weekends to hunt, sticking with a spot that isn’t producing can be costly. I’ve been fortunate to prioritize elk season in my life, saving vacation time, making sacrifices, and having the full support of my family, so I usually have the luxury of hunting as long as I need to. But I understand that’s not the case for everyone. If time is tight, being willing to move quickly to a new location can turn a struggling hunt into a successful one.

I’ve also noticed that I’m much quicker to abandon a spot on out-of-state hunts, where my time is limited to a week. In contrast, when hunting close to home in Idaho, I’m more likely to wait things out, sometimes longer than I should.

This past season, I learned that lesson the hard way. I spent too long in my favorite spot, seeing and hearing just enough to keep me hopeful but insufficient to make it worth staying. On September 22nd, I finally cut my losses, packed up, and drove 50 miles to a new area. I killed a bull within an hour and a half of hunting there. That quick success was a stark reminder: sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery to turn a slow hunt into a successful one.

The bottom line? Always keep moving as an option. Trust your instincts, evaluate the situation honestly, and don’t let loyalty to a spot keep you stuck. Knowing when to bail could be the difference between coming home empty-handed and tagging out, whether it's bad timing or a spot that's just not producing.

Were You Physically Ready?

Honestly, I wasn’t as ready as I should have been. There was a time when I could hunt my way into shape each fall, and it worked out just fine. But as I’ve gotten older, 45 now, to be exact, and that strategy doesn’t cut it like it used to. Sure, I did some preparation over the summer, but for the most part, I relied on the hunt itself to get me into shape. Let me tell you, it’s not as easy as it once was. Thankfully, with a bit of grit and mental fortitude, I managed to push through.

If your physical fitness held you back this season or made the experience less enjoyable, it’s time to address it. It didn’t stop me from being successful, but it made the process more challenging and less fun. That’s why I’ve decided to implement a consistent fitness routine now, so next September doesn’t sneak up on me similarly. From experience, I know it doesn’t have to be anything extreme—just a steady, intentional effort that builds the strength and stamina I need for mountain hunting.

It’s also easy to convince yourself, as I did, that fitness doesn’t hold you back. But think about it—if you were in better shape, would you have climbed one more ridge or checked that extra drainage? Sometimes, that last push leads to the bull you’ve been searching for. Physical readiness isn’t just about getting to the elk; it’s about giving yourself the capacity and confidence to keep going when it matters most.

So, if you feel like I am, let’s start now. A little work now can go a long way toward making next season more enjoyable and more productive. You’ll thank yourself when you’re back out there, ready to take on anything the mountains throw your way.

In Closing

This isn’t a comprehensive list by any stretch. There are countless things, both big and small, that we can identify in our hunts that might need adjusting. Whether it’s strategy, preparation, or mindset, the key is to be honest about what’s holding us back.

As John Dewey wisely said, “The first step to solving a problem is admitting there is one.” Taking the time to reflect and acknowledge areas for improvement is how we grow as hunters and as individuals. The lessons we take from each season, paired with the commitment to adapt and improve, set the foundation for success in the seasons to come.

Here’s to learning, evolving, and becoming better with every hunt.