Need elk hunting tips/tactics???

[Lone Ranger]

OK guys, I have been elk hunting a few times on diy hunts and have been fortunate enough to take a nice 5x5 bull a few years ago. However, living in Texas, I am far from any type of a "elk hunting expert". This year I have the responsibility of taking my brother-in-law and his 2 son-in-laws on a diy hunt the second rifle season in Colorado. This is their first trip hunting out west for anything, elk or mule deer.

I would really appreciate any of your tips/tactics that I can relay to them that might help them in some way. (Such as which side of the mountain to hunt on if it is really cold/warm, when and how to hunt dark timber, etc.).

Any knowledge that you don't mind sharing with tips and tactics would be very beneficial and greatly appreciated.

 

[jenbickel]

Hunting in the dark thick timber is very hard. I talked to some guys from Washington that were up here elk hunting by where I am elk hunting and they said they dont understand how we do it out here. It can be very frustrating. Your best bet is to find maybe like some good trails in the thick timber and walk them. If you can find a good open area where they might be feeding, you can always set up in the timber and wait for them to come out in the evening to feed. I usually walk through the timber but stay close enough to where I can watch for feeding and water areas. How you hunt them is also going to be very weather dependent. That really wasnt probably much help at all... lol at least I tried

 

[Lone Ranger]

Thanks jenbickel, any information is very much appreciated.

 

[wyo_backcountry]

Mike Eastman has a book on elk hunting that covers alot of where to find elk and different elk hunting tatics for terrain and hunting different parts of the year. Its a good book with a lot of info.
Colorado division of wildlife website has a Elk Hunting University section on the website. Go to website select hunting tab, then click on Elk Hunting University in left colum and then click on Lessons tab. Has a lot of info on a bunch of different topics.

North facing timber slope, with water in the drainage and a open south slope across from it with good grass is always a good place to start looking for elk. Get a topo map of your area to help locate a couple different areas of good cover, water, feed.

 

[jenbickel]

Mike Eastman has a book on elk hunting that covers alot of where to find elk and different elk hunting tatics for terrain and hunting different parts of the year. Its a good book with a lot of info.
Colorado division of wildlife website has a Elk Hunting University section on the website. Go to website select hunting tab, then click on Elk Hunting University in left colum and then click on Lessons tab. Has a lot of info on a bunch of different topics.

North facing timber slope, with water in the drainage and a open south slope across from it with good grass is always a good place to start looking for elk. Get a topo map of your area to help locate a couple different areas of good cover, water, feed.

I agree with him 100%!!

 

[THEBUGLER]

Check out www.elk101.com . Tons of info and great stories!

 

[Lone Ranger]

Thanks for the tip about elk101.com I checked it out and am now a member. Looks like a great website and forum with a lot of good info.

 

[sethkuhl]

#1 tip that has helped me hunt elk, Elk are stinky animals. You can typically smell them before you see them. Use the wind and when you smell them slow down.

 

[henkesean]

Best tip I can give is to be in the best shape of your life when preparing to go after an animal that spends all of its life on the mountain side. Be prepared to walk farther and hike harder than the other hunters in your area and youll increase your odds of success.

 

[CheyenneElk]

Read as many books and articles as you can from different authors. This provides a huge arsenal of tips and techniques that just can't be covered on a forum. The thread titles "Elk Calls" on this forum lists many authors and publications to get you started. Subscribe to EBJ or the sister publication if you haven't already. Each story in the magazine offers some great tips. Every tip on this thread is solid and is important to remember.

Teach your hunting partners how to call, at least cow call. Even in rifle season, cow calling can pay dividends. It may pay dividends to bugle after 10PM or before 4AM to locate vocal elk. It may not be as important during second rifle, but it can't hurt. Elk feel more secure bugling after dark.

Get good optics so you can spot elk from a long distance from a high vantage point. Be at your vantage point before at least 30 minutes daylight as elk will generally leave feeding grounds (openings) shortly after daylight. Many authors state the hardest part about elk hunting is finding elk.

You and your hunting partners must be in good shape so you can cover the necessary ground to put yourself into position for a shot. Also, this is needed to transport your kill back to camp.

Practice shooting. Seems obvious, but easy, close shots are missed each year.

You will see more elk farther from roads and trailheads. Most biologists and game wardens will tell you 90% of hunters stay within one mile of camp or a road.

Have good lights (flashlights, headlamps, etc) to allow yourself to stay out in good elk locations until dark. Walk back to camp after dark.

 

[Montana]

Best tip I can give is to be in the best shape of your life when preparing to go after an animal that spends all of its life on the mountain side. Be prepared to walk farther and hike harder than the other hunters in your area and youll increase your odds of success.

Right here is the ticket... Conditioning. Elk are where people aren't. And do not underestimate the work that needs to be done after it's down.