As the sun slowly rises above the mountains, you begin to prepare for another day of elk hunting. You check your equipment one last time before heading out into the woods. For the next few hours, you will be focused on one thing and one thing only – finding and harvesting an elk.
You know the importance of being stealthy and silent in the woods, as any sound could scare away your prey. You also know that elk are most active in the morning and evening hours, so you will be keeping a close eye on the clock. As the minutes tick by, you become more and more aware of your surroundings. Every snap of a twig, every rustle of leaves, every animal call could be an elk.
You scan the area through your binoculars, looking for any movement. Suddenly, you spot an elk walking through the woods, and you start to prepare for the shot. You take a deep breath, steady your hand, and pull the trigger.
After a successful harvest, you make your way back to camp with a smile on your face. Each hunt is a unique experience, and you can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow.
1. Deciding When to Hunt
Some elk hunters obsess over the wind while others believe as long as you’re moving quietly, the wind isn’t that important. The truth is, both are right, to a certain extent. First, let’s start with the basics. Elk are most active at first light and last light. The hour or so before sunrise and the hour or so after sunset are typically the best times to be out hunting. That being said, elk will also move around mid-day. If the weather is warm, they will bed down and seek shade during the heat of the day and then begin to feed again as the temperature cools in the evening. If the weather is cool, they may not bed down at all during the day, instead continuing to feed. Because of this, the time you hunt can also be dictated by the weather. If it’s hot, you may want to be out an hour before first light and hunt until 10 or 11am before heading back to camp for lunch and a nap. Then, you can go back out again an hour or so before last light. If it’s cool, you may want to hunt all day long. One other thing to consider is the rut. Early in the season, elk will still be in their summer pattern and will be much more difficult to pattern. However, as the season progresses and the rut nears, elk will begin to change their pattern and will be much easier to pattern and hunt.
2. Figuring Out Where the Elk Are
Now that you know when you should be hunting, it’s time to start thinking about where the elk are. The best way to do this is to start by looking at a topographical map of the area you’ll be hunting. Look for areas that offer a combination of cover, food, and water. Then, once you have a general idea of where the elk might be, you can start getting more specific. Begin by looking for tracks, droppings, and rubs. These can all give you clues as to where the elk have been and where they might be going. Also, don’t forget to look up. Elk are creatures of habit and will often follow the same path day after day. If you can find a game trail, there’s a good chance you’ll find elk on it.
3. Stalking Elk
Once you’ve found where the elk are, it’s time to start stalking them. The first and most important rule of stalking is to always be aware of the wind. Elk have a very keen sense of smell and if they catch your scent, they’ll be gone before you know it. Because of this, you need to be downwind of the elk at all times. The second rule of stalking is to move slowly and carefully. If you can, crawl. If you can’t crawl, move as slowly as you can. The goal is to make as little noise as possible. Third, always be aware of your surroundings. If you can, stay in the shadows and avoid open areas. Elk are constantly on the lookout for predators and if they see you, they’ll be gone. Finally, have patience. Stalking is a waiting game. You may have to sit and wait for hours before you get a shot. But, if you’re patient, it will be worth it.
4. Calling Elk
Elk calling is an important tool that can be used to help you locate and hunt elk. There are a variety of calls that can be used, but the two most common are the bugle and the cow call. The bugle is used to imitate the sound of a bull elk and is used primarily to locate bulls. The cow call is used to imitate the sound of a cow elk and is used to help locate bulls and cows. When used correctly, these calls can be effective in drawing elk in close enough for a shot. However, it’s important to remember that elk calling is not a guarantee. Sometimes, the elk will come in, sometimes they won’t. It’s important to be patient and to be prepared to take a shot when the elk do come in.
5. Taking the Shot
When the moment of truth arrives and you have a bull elk in your sights, there are a few things you need to do to ensure a successful shot. First, take a deep breath and let it out slowly. This will help you to relax and to steady your aim. Second, align the sights on the elk and take your time. This is not a race. You want to make sure you have a clean Shot. Third, squeeze the trigger. Don’t pull it. Squeezing the trigger will help to ensure a clean, accurate Shot. Finally, follow through. After you’ve taken the Shot, continue to hold the trigger back and to keep the sights on the elk until it is down.
Extra Tips
Here are a few extra tips that will help you to be successful when hunting elk. First, always wear camouflaged clothing. Elk have good eyesight and if they see you, they’ll be gone. Second, use a quality rifle and scope. These will help to ensure accuracy and to make the Shot. Third, practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the better you’ll be at shooting. Fourth, be patient. Hunting is a waiting game. You may have to sit for hours before you get a shot. But, if you’re patient, it will be worth it. Fifth, stay safe. Always follow the rules of firearm safety and be aware of your surroundings.
What is the best time of day to hunt elk?
If you’re looking to hunt elk, the best times to do so are in the morning and evening hours. During the middle of the day, elk are generally less active, though you may still have some success during the rut ( mating season). For the most activity, though, aim for early morning and dusk.
Hunteres should be aware that the most vital organs of elk and all game animals are the heart and lungs. A proper shot through the heart and/or lungs will offer the quickest kill, making it the most humane for the animal. These organs offer the best opportunity for a kill for firearm and archery hunters.
What state is the easiest to draw an elk tag
While Utah may not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of elk hunting, it actually offers some of the best opportunities in the country. The state has a well-managed elk population and offers a variety of tags that increase your chances of success. The best part is that Utah’s drawing process is fair and even first-time applicants have a decent chance of drawing a quality elk tag. So if you’re looking for a great state to hunt elk, be sure to give Utah a try.
Montana is one of the best places in the country to hunt elk, with a high hunter success rate. The state has a long hunting season, with six weeks of archery, five weeks of rifle, and nine days of muzzleloader seasons. Montana is also a great place to live, with plenty of opportunity for residents.
Do elk go up or down in the morning?
The elk is a very cautious animal and will always travel into the wind so that they can sense danger ahead of them. This means that in most areas, they will walk downhill to water/meadows in the evening as the wind rises. They will feed down low at night and then head back uphill in the morning with the wind in their face yet again.
Spooked elk tend to head out of the meadows and into the timber well before daylight. They may run for miles, stopping here and there, but always on the go as hunters push into their otherwise safe havens.
What direction of slopes do elk like?
The above mentioned was observed in a study conducted on sheep. The study found that when a weather front moves in, the sheep usually prefer to bed down or feed on south-facing slopes. The reason for this is because the food is more accessible on those southern slopes. Also, the south-facing slopes are usually warmer than the north-facing slopes.
Elk are most commonly found on slopes between 20 and 40 percent, as these provide the best food and shelter. However, they can be found on slopes outside of this range, although they are less common.
How far should you stay away from elk
Be alert and use caution when approaching, feeding, or photographing elk. Do not attempt to touch or get closer to elk. If an elk charges you, find shelter in your vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier as quickly as possible. You are responsible for your own safety.
This is because the draw hunts are typically conducted on private land where the elk populations are managed more carefully. On the other hand, elk hunting on public land is typically more challenging because the elk populations are more unpredictable.
What do scouts look for in elk?
Find the Food:
Elk eat a variety of grasses and plants, so finding where they are feeding is a good place to start your scouting. Look for areas where there is fresh green vegetation, and tracks leading into and out of the area.
Follow the Sign:
Elk can be elusive, but they leave no shortage of sign. Look for tracks, scat, and rubs on trees to find where they have been. Once you find an area with sign, pay attention to the wind direction to help you stalk them.
Look for Water:
Elk need water, and you will too on a backcountry hunt. Look for areas near creeks, rivers, or lakes where elk might be coming to drink. Pay attention to the time of day, as elk are more likely to visit water sources early in the morning or late in the evening.
Locate Funnels and Pinch Points:
Funnels and pinch points are places where elk are likely to travel, and they can be good places to set up an ambush. Look for narrow canyons, saddles, and meadows where elk might be funneled into a smaller area.
Elk are definitely more difficult to hunt than deer. Not only are they much bigger, but they are also much faster. This difference in size gives elk more muscle mass than deer, which allows them to cover more ground at a much faster pace.
Where is the best elk hunting in the world
Colorado is popular among hunters for elk hunting because of its large elk population. With over 280,000 animals, Colorado has the largest elk herd in the United States. This state also offers over-the-counter hunting opportunities, which makes it even more popular among hunters.
If you’re looking to hunt elk in Colorado, Craig is the place to be. With a large herd of elk and a wideopen migration corridor, you’re sure to have a successful hunt.
How big is the target area on an elk?
The kill zone for elk ranges from about 24 to 26 inches. That is the total area when the elk is standing broadside. If the elk is quartering away, you may not have the entire vital zone visible from your perspective.
Providing forage plants is a great way to attract wildlife to your property. Some good options include aspen, cottonwood, big leaf maple, hazelnut, huckleberry, thimbleberry, trailing blackberry, bear grass, cow-parsnip, false solomon’s seal, dandelion, serviceberry, red-twig dogwood, red alder, fireweed. By planting a variety of forage plants, you will create a habitat that is attractive to a wide range of wildlife species.
Is a full moon good for elk hunting
On a full moon, you can expect to find elk closer to their bedding areas and less success hunting travel corridors. One exception is if there is significant overcast weather, in which case the moon phase may have less impact.
Elk are notoriously active during the dusk and dawn hours, but they have also been known to bugle throughout the night. While this may not be the ideal time for hunting, it is still a good time to be aware of their whereabouts.
Conclusion
1. Look for Elk Beds:
Elk usually bed down for the night in fields or on slopes where they have a good view of their surroundings. Look for large depressions in the ground that are smooth and free of vegetation. These beds are usually located in areas with thick cover nearby so the elk can escape quickly if necessary.
2. Call to Locate Elk:
Elk are most active at dawn and dusk, so these are the best times to call. Use a locator call to help you find where the elk are hiding. If you see an elk but it is too far away to shoot, use a cow call to bring it closer.
3. Set Up a Stalk:
Once you have located elk, you will need to set up a stalk. If you are downwind of the elk,drop to your knees and crawl towards them. If you are upwind, walk slowly and stop frequently to listen for the elk. If they catch your scent, they will usually run away, so be sure to keep the wind in your favor.
4. Take a Shot:
When you are within range, take a deep breath and steady your aim. Elk
In conclusion, hour-to-hour elk hunting tactics can vary depending on the area you are hunting in and the time of day. However, some general tips include being aware of your surroundings, staying still and quiet, and using cover to your advantage. By following these tips, you will increase your chances of success while hunting elk.