Elk Hunting Tips

by Joe White

Overview

Elk are the largest game in the continental United States, cover the largest range, and are among the most difficult animals to hunt. A successful effort requires painstaking planning, assiduous preparation and careful execution. Most of the work is done before the animal even comes into view.
Calls

Using calls effectively is contingent on being in the elk's range. If the elk can't hear you, they're guaranteed not to respond. But once you are in the general area, a call or combination of calls can reap benefits. Which call is best depends on what kind of elk you are hoping to attract. A social mew is likely to attract any and all elk within hearing range. A fighting squeal will be most effective in attracting a mature bull, since he will want to join the fight himself.

Scents

Scents require even greater proximity than calls, but they can be used in coordination with calling to great effect. Once you have called an elk within range, successfully deployed scent can draw the game even closer. The best scent is cow-in-estrus during the rut. Cow-in-estrus scent combined with bull scent can also be very effective, especially in attracting the dominant bull of the area because he will want to protect his harem. Never apply scent to your body. An elk that approaches your area and finds a different animal than he expected could be disgruntled enough to attack.
Decoys

Decoys are only effective when used with scent. Specifically, use doe-in-estrus scent to re-create an entire scene for approaching elk. Position yourself across wind so that elk, which will approach from downwind, do not sniff you out before they come within range.
Shooting

Shooting elk can be complicated at high elevations, which can affect the bullet's flight. Stick to a flat-shooting, high-velocity round to minimize such effects, and make sure you have enough gun to bring down your quarry. A .300 Magnum is prime caliber for elk hunting. It is a flat-shooting rifle with surplus foot pounds of energy to knock down even a full-grown bull, making the tracking and extrication process much easier.

Overview