Elk hunting may be the last place you’d look for lessons on complexity. Gilbert Ornelas and Joe Giglia of the Elk Brothers Blue Collar Elk Hunting Network coach hunters through it every season. Mark “Moose” McGrath and I asked them what the mountains teach about decisions, adaptation and self-awareness.
A 95% failure rate
Gilbert and Joe put the failure rate in elk hunting at around 95%. Most hunters go home empty-handed. That makes perseverance a skill you build, and learning from each failed hunt part of the craft.
Reading the terrain
Much of the conversation is about the outside world. Terrain, wind, weather and the animal all change through the day. A hunter who keeps updating his picture of the mountain does better than one who sticks to the plan. We compare elk with turkey hunting and talk about how a hunter can shape what the animal sees and hears.
Ego and coaching
Gilbert and Joe describe coaching as an interface for personal growth. Ego gets in the way of a good hunt. So does a team that hides its mistakes. They see the same patterns in business, where belonging and trust shape how people perform.
We close on failure. Each lesson from a missed elk feeds the next hunt, and the hunters who reflect keep improving.
When did a failure in your own work teach you more than a success?
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