HUNTING METHODS FOR IBEX
Spot and stalk bowhunting can be challenging but rewarding in the end. Anything and everything can go wrong when trying to sneak in close and arrow an animal. What could have been a long day in the field may turn into a walk of shame back to camp, just because you wanted to take a shortcut. The opportunity to learn is wide open and the lessons are rich. Here are a few practical tips for your next spot and stalk bowhunting trip.
Spot and stalk bowhunting can be challenging but rewarding in the end. Anything and everything can go wrong when trying to sneak in close and arrow an animal. What could have been a long day in the field may turn into a walk of shame back to camp, just because you wanted to take a shortcut. The opportunity to learn is wide open and the lessons are rich. Here are a few practical tips for your next spot and stalk bowhunting trip.
DON’T DROP YOUR PACK JUST YET
We see something done a certain way, so then we take to the field and try to do that same thing in the same way we saw it done. I’m sure more than a few of you have seen bowhunters drop their backpacks when stalking an animal. There is a reason for that and it works, especially when an animal isbedded. It’s easier and quieter to move around without a backpack. While that is true, it’s not always the best option. Keeping your backpack on your person provides a few advantages. Sometimes you’ll have to wait for hours until an animal gives a shot opportunity. Having the ability to take a swig every now and then not only will keep you hydrated, but it lends to the mental game. It might be a little easier and quieter to move around without a pack, but you won’t be able to stay as mobile.
BE METICULOUS AND AGGRESSIVE
Bowhunting is a game of chess and spot and stalking is no exception in the mix. And just like in chess, you want to be thinking ahead, planning your moves accordingly. Stalks need to be planned meticulously for the best chance of success. The best way to do this is through connecting the dots. It’s picking out notable landmarks along your planned route to keep you on track. It would look something like “head straight down to the brown rock. From theretake the fence line until you reach the row of tall trees. Break south towards the small peak. Once at the base of the peak, break west into the cut. Take that until below the boulders and then break back north to peak over the top.” Having something like this figured out ahead of time will invite some familiarity into an unfamiliar situation. Everything looks different once you leave your vantage point.
While we need to be meticulous in our planning, it pays to be aggressive in our approach. I’m not saying to run full stride at the ibex. What I am saying though is to make a move. Too many times we may fall victim to ourselves as result of sitting back and trying to overthink a situation before leaving. So, make a plan and make a move. Bowhunting is a gamble where the house always has the upper hand. Just remember: you can’t win if you don’t play.
WHERE ARE THE OTHER ANIMALS?
Before setting off on your stalk, not only do you need to know where you’re going, you also need to know where the other animals are, not just of the species you’re hunting.
The same thinking needs be applied to animals of the same species. This is particularly important during breeding seasons. It always seems like there is an ibex bedded somewhere that flies under the radar just waiting to bust you. So, take the time to scan the surrounding area of where you plan on sneaking through. Take a mental note of the wind in relation to where these other animals are, too. You may be able to avoid being seen by that hiding ibex, but if it smells you, it’s over.
NO SHORTCUTS
There are no shortcuts in bowhunting and for the best chance of success, you should eliminate them from your mind. Each and every time you try and take a shortcut, whether it’s a shorter stalking route, playing dangerously with the wind, etc., it ends in the walk of shame. On that note, when planning and acting in the field, always take the path of least chance of failure. If that means a four-mile stalk instead of a two-mile stalk, then buck up and do it. If that means an hour and a half walk back to camp in the dark, get that headlamp ready and do it. For ultimate results, you need to put in ultimate effort.
NEVER STOP LEARNING
We may not have the uncanny stalking abilities of a mountain lion, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be consistently successful out there spot and stalking with our bows. Those lions have their way and, with time, we’ll find ours. One of the best pieces of advice is to not be afraid of failure. We are conditioned to avoid it, but it’s truly the only way we’ll learn this spot and stalk bowhunting craft. So, make plays often and embrace those speed bumps in the road. We are only as good as the lessons we learn.
