Elk Hunting Tips

[NVBird'n'Big]

Well I'm 8 days out from my first ever elk hunt. Drawing a tag for NV is not an easy task and finally after 18 years of hunting will be able to go after these glorious bastards. I have been busting my butt since the spring getting my gear upgraded, shooting, getting in shape, researching and scouting. I have hunted my whole life but the task ahead of me is making me so nervous and excited I feel like I want to throw up.

I was told today that you can't hunt elk like you do muleys. Details were given but it got me wanting to cover all of my bases and reach out to my trusted friends here who sure as heck have done a lot more elk hunting than I have to see if there are any small quips of general elk hunting advice that may help me out.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Musket Man]

I dont have any great elk advise but above all else go and enjoy your hunt and have a good time. I about drove myself crazy this year in NV until I took a step back and stopped pressuring my self and worrying about it somuch. Focus on the hunt not the outcome. Good Luck!!

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Find the high spots where you are hunting and do a lot of glassing early and late in the day. Elk stand out a lot better than deer because of their size and color. Good luck and I hope you have a great hunt whether you fill your tag or not!

 

[Againstthewind]

Yeah, good luck!

 

[ScottR]

If you are seeing cows, look higher. The big bulls will wait as long as possible in the high country.


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[marcusvdk]

I dont have any great elk advise but above all else go and enjoy your hunt and have a good time. I about drove myself crazy this year in NV until I took a step back and stopped pressuring my self and worrying about it somuch. Focus on the hunt not the outcome. Good Luck!!

Good advice by MM ^^^^^^^^

 

[Retterath]

Hunt hard and stay positive. Good luck

 

[Gr8bawana]

I drew my NV bull elk tag in 1996 after 14 years of applying. Got lucky and took a DIY 340 class bull that made the Nevada record book. Since then the elk in NV have gotten much better in size and numbers.
It seems that getting the tag is the hardest part. Any unit in NV can produce a real monster. Like one of the previous posters said hunt high.
It takes a lot of snow to drive the big bulls down. They do stick out like a sore thumb when you see them in your binos.

 

[25contender]

I have always been a big fan of hunting high. I like areas that have 2-3 small high passes or saddles with timber that lead into other drainage's. It seems that Elk prefer multiple escape routes from their main core area. These passes allow the them to transition into other drainage's easily in cover. These passes also give them a easy way back into there favorite haunts.I don't like to hunt areas that are totally boxed in. I also like to hunt the highest trails below rock-slides or rock faces, seems the big boys frequent these trails as well.

 

[nv-hunter]

Bird I know how your feeling just went through it myself. Best thing I can tell you is step back take a breath and remember why you like to hunt.
This isn't rocket science you know how to hunt and adapt to the condutions. Use your glass and cover lots of country put them to bed and most importantly have fun.

 

[7mag]

If you end up walking through timber go slow and pick everything apart. When you think you are walking slow enough kick it down another notch. Alot of times i see an ear or ankle or a fork in the horn and if walking too fast i wouldnt see it. If i know there are elk in the area i have good luck finding a nice looking meadow, get the wind right then let them come to me. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Iron Mike]

NV. I am not the best for advice on rifle Elk as I fling arrows for Elk. But from what I have read in your posts it seems to me you are already a good hunter so I am sure you will do fine. Congrats on drawing that Nevada tag and have fun. I am sure we all expect to see pictures soon!
PS Keep your eyes peeled for them Chukers in your comings and goings!

 

[Gr8bawana]

If you end up walking through timber go slow and pick everything apart. When you think you are walking slow enough kick it down another notch. Alot of times i see an ear or ankle or a fork in the horn and if walking too fast i wouldnt see it. If i know there are elk in the area i have good luck finding a nice looking meadow, get the wind right then let them come to me. Good luck and have fun!

One thing I forgot to mention is that if you are stillhunting you can smell them, it smells like a barnyard of horse and cow poop. You'll
know you are really close.

 

[ssliger]

One thing I forgot to mention is that if you are stillhunting you can smell them, it smells like a barnyard of horse and cow poop. You'll
know you are really close.

Great advice, I was still hunting some timber the last day of archery. I was working next to a clear cut, when I got a whiff of elk. I turned into the wind and started that direction and a decent 5 point walked out. Got to about 25 yards but couldn't draw back.

 

[MT dreaming]

I can't offer much advice as to specific tactics for hunting elk as I have just returned from my first hunt. A couple of days before my hunt I started second guessing myself- had I done what I needed to do to be successful. All I can say is like others here have said. Stay positive, hunt hard, have a good time and remind yourself why you are hunting. Frankly after the first day of my hunt I wasn't sure if I was up to the task but I got back to camp got rested, adjusted my attitude and was able to tag out on my first bull on the afternoon of the second day. Just trust yourself and enjoy the ride! Elk don't inhabit ugly places!

 

[MountainHigh]

Use your hunting instincts, they will help you figure out the elk like hunting any other animal. Elk are different in ways and the same as say mule deer in other ways. Hunt hard and always keep the wind in your face, I would say that is the biggest asset of an elk. Good luck and as everyone else has mentioned enjoy the heck out of your hunt!

 

[Againstthewind]

Apparently the best way for me to see elk is to have a whitetail tag. We took kiddo whitetail hunting today and ended up having two nice bull elk run towards us within a 100 yards. It was pretty cool. Still no good advise for people who actually have an elk tag, but it sounds like you have an awesome trip coming up.

 

[shootbrownelk]

I can't offer much advice as to specific tactics for hunting elk as I have just returned from my first hunt. A couple of days before my hunt I started second guessing myself- had I done what I needed to do to be successful. All I can say is like others here have said. Stay positive, hunt hard, have a good time and remind yourself why you are hunting. Frankly after the first day of my hunt I wasn't sure if I was up to the task but I got back to camp got rested, adjusted my attitude and was able to tag out on my first bull on the afternoon of the second day. Just trust yourself and enjoy the ride! Elk don't inhabit ugly places!

Hey MT, your last sentence isn't true. If you had to help pack this year's bull out of where He fell, you wouldn't have said that. Ha Ha!

 

[TwoBear]

Relax and have fun, enjoy the beauty of elk country, tagging a bull is a bonus!