Elk Hunting – Starting Tips to a Successful Elk Hunt

Elk Hunting is one of the more challenging Big Game sports around. It is also rising in popularity each year. Many hunters that do not have the option of hunting many times throughout the season have chosen Elk Hunting to focus on. It is a big game that can be taken legally and with open conscious – Elk Hunting is extremely regulated – but is still a fun challenge.

If you read my blog, you will see that one of my mottos is – Elk may be big animals – but they are smart animals. The allure for most Elk hunters is the true effort Elk Hunting takes – it’s not a question of waiting and hiding for your prey – it’s a question of tracking it. It may take days to get to a point where you have a perfect shot of a particular Elk.

This also means that there is some serious training that must go on before an Elk Hunt. Similar to a runner before a marathon race. This is a very physical hunt – a lot of ground must be covered in a day and you have to be in shape to do that. You should also consider the altitude change – Elk favor the mountain areas, especially the Rocky Mountains. Changing altitudes will affect your oxygen intake and how your body responds to it.

Many Elk Hunters will plan their Elk Hunts out a year or more in advance. They want time to decide when and where they will take place -  this will give them time to plan and train for the hunt.

The place I see many Elk Hunts go bad is – the hunter is not physically capable of keeping up with the hunt. You need to make sure you are physically capable of Elk Hunting. I suggest starting a few months ahead in your training. I begin with going on simple walks in my neighborhood – then I progress to hiking trails in my area. Then I go to hiking the trails with my daypack – then I hike them fully hunt dressed with my daypack. Your Elk Hunting dress and daypack will add weight and change your balance – practice is the best tip.

For some priceless tips and experience visit my Elk Hunting Buddy at Rocky Mountain Elk Guide.  His experience and advice will save you so much… He will even send you the first 8 pages to check out!