Knowing When to Go All In” — Reading the Moment in the Mountains

Sometimes the hardest decision in the mountains isn’t what to do — it’s when to do it.

You’ve got fresh sign. You’re in position. The wind is good. A bull bugled from the timber and you can just feel that moment coming. Do you move now? Or wait?

Over the years, I’ve come to believe this is one of the biggest make-or-break moments in a mountain hunt: knowing when to go all in.

The One That Got Away

Years ago, we were on a mid-September elk hunt. My hunter and I had found fresh tracks early, and by mid-morning we were set up on a bench above a quiet drainage — wind perfect, thermals still steady, and a few soft cow calls trickling uphill.

We were in the pocket. But after 30 minutes of nothing, I could see my hunter getting antsy.
“Maybe we should slide down the ridge,” he whispered. “Get a little closer.”

It’s always tempting to push. You feel like you’re wasting time if you’re not moving.

We gave it five more minutes — and then pushed down. Not 60 yards in, the cows busted. A bull we never saw was already with them. If we had waited 10 more minutes, I think we would’ve had him walking into our setup.

We didn’t lose that elk because we weren’t in the right spot.
We lost him because we moved too soon.

Thermals, Timing, and Midday Reality

If you’re working an elk late in the morning and the thermals are about to switch — back out. Sit tight. You might need to wait for evening when the wind settles back down in your favor. Sometimes it means waiting until the next morning.

It’s tough to do — especially when you’ve prepped and dreamed about this hunt all year — but it’s worth it. Spook a bull in September and he might cross a drainage or disappear into the next mountain range. Elk don’t hang around when they’re bumped. Chances are, you’ll never see or hear that bull again.

It’s also worth remembering: midday in the elk woods is dead quiet. You’re not going to find success tramping around aimlessly in the heat. Better to find a spot with shade, post up, glass a little, nap a little. Those early mornings and late nights add up — and a siesta midday can help you stay sharp and grind when it matters most.

Reading the Situation

Every stalk, every call setup — every decision — should answer three questions:

• What’s the wind doing now, and what’s it going to do?
  If it’s steady and in your favor, time is on your side. If it’s on the edge or might shift with sun, you need to move sooner — or back out entirely.
• Do I already have the advantage?
  If you’re uphill, with cover and a clear view of where animals are moving, don’t give it up lightly. Let them make the mistake, not you.
• What are they doing?
  Are they feeding? Holding still? Moving away? An animal that’s content is huntable. One that’s edgy or transitioning is harder to predict.

The Other Side of the Coin

Of course, there are times to go now and not wait:

• If a bear is working into thick cover and you’ll lose visibility.
• If a bull is pushing cows toward private land or an escape route.
• If the wind is about to swirl or shut you out of the basin.

I’ve had hunts saved because we did move fast and stayed aggressive.
But more often than not, hunters get in trouble by pushing too early, not too late.

Final Word

I’ve blown stalks by waiting too long, sure.
But the ones that still sting — the ones I remember in detail — are the animals we had dead to rights… until we moved.

Aggression is part of hunting. You’ve got to be willing to go when the moment comes.
But patience — especially when everything feels “close” — is what seals the deal.

So next time that voice in your head says “go now”, ask yourself: Is this a reaction? Or a decision?

If you’re in a good spot, the wind is right, and your gut says, he’s coming — then sit tight.

And when the moment finally comes?
Go all in.

— Ryan Berard
Owner & Head Guide, Sawtooth Outfitters