Episode 1

Hutch On Hunting presents Top Ten Mistakes Hunters make in Colorado

Published on: 10th August, 2023

Welcome to “Hutch On Hunting “and I’m Bruce Hutcheon.

During the past 4 decades I’ve had the opportunity to live and hunt the Colorado Rockies.

Over the years, I’ve seen hundreds of hunters travel to the mountains to get

their elk, only to leave disappointed.


Elk hunting in the Rockies can be a challenging and rewarding experience. New (and even

seasoned) elk hunters often make some common mistakes that can impact their

success and safety.

To help YOU avoid making those same mistakes, I’m going to

share with you the top ten mistakes and what you should do instead. Be sure to

watch until the end because number 10 could be the make or break on whether

your hunt is a good one.

1.      Lack of physical preparation: Elk hunting requires hiking in rugged

terrain at high elevations. Failing to prepare physically can lead to fatigue

and reduced hunting effectiveness.

2.      Underestimating the shooting distance: Beginners often misjudge

the distance between themselves and the elk, resulting in inaccurate shots and

missed opportunities.

3.      Ignoring wind direction: Elk has an excellent sense of smell,

and failing to pay attention to wind direction caused by thermals can lead to

the hunter's scent being detected, causing the elk to flee.

4.      Not scouting beforehand: Lack of scouting can lead to

unfamiliarity with the area, elk behavior, and potential hunting spots,

reducing the chances of success.

5.      Using improper gear: Inadequate hunting gear, such as noisy

clothing or low-quality optics, can scare away elk or hinder the hunting

experience.

6.      Over calling: Novice hunters sometimes overuse elk calls, which

can make elk wary and hesitant to approach.

7.      Poor shot placement: Inaccurate shooting or improper shot

placement can result in wounded animals and challenging tracking scenarios.

8.      Inadequate field dressing knowledge: Not knowing how to properly

field dress an elk can spoil the meat and make packing out more challenging.

Your harvest is some of the finest organic meat in the world, take care of it.

9.      Lack of patience: Impatience can lead to hasty decisions and

missed opportunities. Waiting for the right shot or the right moment is crucial

in elk hunting.

10.    Disregarding safety measures: New hunters may not fully

understand the potential risks associated with hunting in the backcountry.

Ignoring safety precautions can lead to accidents or getting lost.


To avoid these mistakes, new elk hunters should consider enlisting the help of

experienced guides, attending hunting workshops or seminars, and investing time

in thorough preparation and practice before heading out to the Rockies.


My first elk hunt was an archery rut hunt above Rifle Colorado with friends from Wisconsin.

I used my whitetail tactics to spot and stake a spike bull in the dark timber

and missed my shot, but I was hooked. (Thanks Dwight Schuh)


So, if YOU want to leverage my years of experience and expertise for YOUR hunt, join our

exclusive Hutch On Hunting Membership program where you can collaborate with me

1:1 PLUS get access to deep-dive training on some of the most sought-after topics relating to hunting in Colorado.


We have three membership levels to choose from that will fit any budget, skill level, and goals.

Folks If you are serious about increasing your odds of a successful hunt anytime in the future,

click below to learn more about Hutch On Hunting and how I can help you achieve the hunt of a lifetime. Click here to join https://www.hutchonhunting.com/

Hunt hard, hunt smart, and I’ll look forward to welcoming you as our newest Hutch On Hunting Member!

Hutch

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About the Podcast

Hutch On Hunting
Experience HUnting the Rocky Mountains with Hutch
Make this YOUR Year to plan THE Dream Hunt of a Lifetime in Colorado! Imagine yourself planning your dream adventure for the first time and realizing how daunting a task it can be to be a successful rifle or archery hunter in the Colorado Rockies.
Before you head west, you need to ask yourself these questions…
Where do I want to hunt?
When should I hunt?
What big game animal do I want to hunt?
How do I hunt my species?
The planning of a western hunting trip is daunting at the minimum for the first timer, and it gets easier once you have gained personal experience, but the problem is that planning a western hunt is always changing. My 30 years of on the ground experience will save you hours in planning and help you become more confident.
Greater peace of mind & adventure!
No more stress of when and where to go.
Guidance on building your budget.
Support with building a hunt plan.
Informational Webinars with bonus tips
Private Community
Industry discounts (easily save more than the investment to join!)
Become a Founding Member of Hutch On Hunting to join hunters like you.
Weekly I will be interviewing the best of the best, teaching tips, techniques and creating a fantastic hunting community.
http://hutchonhunting.com

About your host

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bruce hutcheon

Bruce's outdoor journey began in the hardwoods and streams of Rhode Island hunting squirrels, rabbits, ruffed grouse and fishing for brook trout and bass. He moved to Long Island and surfed fish for strippers and blues along the Atlantic coast.

It wasn't until he went to college in Wisconsin that he found his passion, Whitetail deer. 1966 was his first whitetail hunt and he has never looked back. His fly fishing and hunting adventures have taken him from Ungava Bay to Lake Illiamna, most of the Canadian Provinces and the whitetail states of the Midwest. His hunting articles can be found at Eastman's Hunting Journal, Hunting Life Media, GoHunt.com and GOABC. His intimate knowledge of big game hunting in the Rockies allowed him to be an Insider contributor for goHunt.com.
He has served on nationally known conservation boards, is a Life Member of RMBS, WSF, RMEF and NRA. He was elected to serve as a SE Regional member of the Colorado Sportsman's Roundtable.
He is recognized in the whitetail world as the very successful outdoor communicator and influencer as Host, Executive Director, and Co-Founder of the highly acclaim podcast, Whitetail Rendezvous Podcast. This podcast has exceeded over 500,000 downloads and interviewed over 650 guests. During the summer of 2019 Bruce created and published Deer Hunting Institute, Part 1. A hunting course to support the three R's; Recruitment, reactivation and retention.
Hutch On Hunting is his latest podcast that focuses on Big Game Hunting in Colorado. He will share his years of on the ground experience, the adventures of other guests and top hunters in the Rocky Mountains.