How to Make Elk Hunting
Practical, Successful and Enjoyable

Elk hunting can be demanding! It can also be fun, not just hard work. The main purpose of this site is to provide you with as many practical tips and fast facts as possible to make your elk hunting experiences more successful, comfortable, enjoyable, positive, easier and safer.

(You can search within this site on the right side of this page.)

Elk habitat is some of God’s most beautiful creation. Hunting there can be difficult, but there are things we can do to make it easier. With the right equipment and techniques, elk season can be less demanding and more successful. Learn to enjoy the majesty of elk country with realistic goals and plans.

Our goal is to provide sensible and practical recommendations learned from years of trial and error in public access hunting. Ideas from many experienced elk hunters will be shared.

Practical Information for the Average Hunter

This is not just a typical “how to kill a big bull elk” site. We are regular, successful hunters on public land, who kill some nice bulls along with cow elk for meat. We’ve learned some things the hard way. But you don’t have to! We’ll share it with you.

Spending the time and effort to find elk can be challenging without a realistic plan. My family lives in elk country. Each fall I usually commit 5 or 6 days a week for 11 weeks to Montana elk hunting with bow and rifle.

I often only hunt half days and go to work in the afternoon. Those half day hunts have been very productive through the years. I have spent many hours thinking about how to make the process easier, faster or more comfortable and then finding the solutions.

Make Elk Hunting More Do-able

I’d be pleased to help you, from the early morning trek seeking your quarry to the closing of the freezer door on your hard-earned meat. My family and I have been annually harvesting and processing many elk and countless deer for a couple of decades. With this site, we’re here to provide as many practical, useful tips to make your hunts, even with kids, more enjoyable, comfortable and simply as “do-able”, as possible.

DIY BackCountry Backpack Hunting?

We have a hunter with many years of experience doing just that. He discusses the exhilarating advantages of hunting with "camp on your back" and shares his detailed backpack hunting gear list. He even goes into detail on what equipment he likes and where he prefers to pack each piece. You'll find that section here.

The Demanding Task of Packing Meat

Getting a hundred or two hundred pounds of meat off the ground and into the freezer far away can be incredibly difficult. I’m a pretty small guy and I usually hunt alone when friends or sons are at work and school. I HAD to learn some practical ways of moving heavy meat by myself. You'll find lots of helpful tips under the Elk Down! tab.

Add this site to your Favorites. More information is added often. Whenever you have a few minutes, click on the tabs to the left to read about a subject that interests you. Come back for more when time allows. You're always welcome! We'll do the work to keep you informed about elk hunting topics.

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Elk-Hunting-Tips Hub Pages
with Descriptions:

Elk Hunting Forum

Elk Hunting Forum: Share your elk hunting pictures and elk hunting stories, or ask questions of other elk hunters here. Anything related to elk and elk hunting.

Quick Elk Hunting Tips

Planning for elk hunting? Here is a quick list of things to do to prepare for an elk hunt. This list will link you to further information based on your personal needs and goals.

Elk Hunting Gear: Priority Gear List for the Big Game Hunter

An elk hunting gear list that big game hunters will find helpful. This is a list and brief review of practical, useful, quality hunting equipment for elk hunters.

Camouflage Patterns: Do They Fool Animals, or Impress Hunters?

Camouflage patterns are mostly made to impress humans. Which patterns actually keep animals from seeing the hunter? We’ve reviewed the most effective and popular patterns.

Hunting Fitness: Simple Exercises that Require No Expense or Gym

Hunting fitness can improve success. It might even save your life! Here are some simple exercises that you can do at no expense, mostly in your living room.

Do It Yourself Elk Hunting in Back Country Wilderness Are a Demanding Adventure!

Extended do it yourself elk hunting can be risky and require careful planning and preparation. Everything needed to protect you from harsh elements will be carried and will be measured in mere ounces.

Use Aerial Photo Maps and Topo Maps to Cyber Scout Big Game Hunting Areas

Combine topo and aerial photo maps of your hunting areas to do some computer hunting trip scouting. Here is an easy, cheap or even free way to view and print those maps.

Elk Hunting Outfitters, Well Worth the Expense! But Choose One Carefully

Elk hunting outfitters cost a lot, but the learning experience makes it well worth the expense. Try to do it at least once. The earlier in your elk hunting career, the better.

Finding Places to Hunt

Researching places to hunt elk takes time, but turns elk hunting trips into “finding” elk.

Bow Hunting Elk: Hunt the Rut and You Will Encounter Wapiti!

Bow hunting elk can be both exciting and devastating, all in the same hour! You will see more elk, but will have to work for the shot. Avoid the rifle crowds during archery season.

Best Big Game Rifle? Opinions Abound!

Choosing a big game rifle is a personal thing, but listening to the opinions of big game hunters is a great place to start. Choose an elk rifle carefully. Maybe more than one!

Cow Elk or Bull Elk?

Hunt a cow elk? Sure! Killing a big bull elk is a great experience, but most hunters consider any elk, even cows, a respected accomplishment. Hunting cows is demanding, especially with a bow!

Kentucky Elk Hunting: 80% Success Rate!

Far to the east of the Rocky Mountains is a little place where the elk hunting success rate is 80 percent! Kentucky! Watch the Kentucky elk hunting video.

Finding Elk: Hunting the Right Place at the Right Time

Finding elk requires scouting and patience. Finding the right place doesn’t always occur at the right time. Know when to walk away and come back later. Hunt smarter, not harder.

Sighting in a Rifle: Accuracy Must be First Priority

Sighting in a rifle requires exact, controlled, unnatural circumstances. Get your rifle and scope “married” first. Then take rifle practice into natural, real life situations.

Tuning a Bow: The Key to Efficient, Consistent Arrow Flight

Tuning a bow is not difficult. Follow these steps and your bow will soon shoot consistently once it is tuned to your arrows and equipment.

Scent Control Hunting and Wind Management: Common Sense and Technology

Scent control hunting is vital if you want to get close to an elk. Scent elimination is impossible! The best you can do is minimize it and manage the wind. Learn the tricks.

Hunting the Elk Rut: Can We Predict It?

The elk rut is very predictable. Weather, pressure and other variables affect what hunters see and hear of rutting elk. During the peak of the rut your chances of close encounters are great!

Elk Calling Done Right: Making Elk Sounds that Get You Close to Elk

Elk calling requires an understanding of what elk talk means and when they are used. With understanding and practice you can learn elk talk to use elk hunting calls effectively.

A Montana Decoy Improves Your chances of Success with a Bow

Montana Decoy makes sturdy big game replicas with HD Photo quality that will greatly improve your chances of taking an elk, deer, or antelop with a bow.

Spotting and Stalking Elk Takes Practice: Elk are Good Teachers!

Spotting and stalking elk requires skill, which requires real life practice and elk are the best teachers! But, here are some shortcuts for the learning process.

Elk Sounds: How to Make Them with Elk Hunting Calls

Elk sounds made correctly with elk hunting calls attract bull elk, or cows that bring bulls with them. Practice with recordings and instructions here.

The Lure of BackCountry Bowhunting: Leaving Base Camp Behind

BackCountry bowhunting camp is wherever you are when the sun goes down. Hunting begins where you wake up in the morning! Here’s how to leave base camp safely and comfortably.

Backpack Hunting Gear: a Complete Gear List and How to Pack It

With a good backpack hunting gear list and good pack organization, your hunting backpack will make camping wherever the sun goes down safe and comfortable.

Packing Elk Meat, Big Game Retrieval: Getting Elk Meat Home Easier

Packing elk meat is difficult, but big game retrieval can even be done alone. There are ways to make it easier, even without expensive equipment, horses or help.

Skinning Elk and Keeping your Meat Clean

Skinning elk is not hard. Keeping the meat clean takes extra effort. Here are step by step instructions for skinning big game on the ground or hanging.

Field Dressing is a Dirty Job: Here Are Thorough Step By Step Instructions

Field dressing an elk is a nasty job, but somebody’s gotta do it! Here is a step by step description of how to do it as efficiently and cleanly as feasible.

Cooling Big Game Meat: Preserving the Quality

Big game meat cools slowly, because it is big! The quality can be preserved with careful attention to details in the field, during transport and at home.

Elk Hunting With Horses Planning and Preparation are Key

Hunting with horses can be a great experience. Or, your worst nightmare! Do you know what you are getting into? Are you prepared?

European Mount your Own Trophy and Save Yourself Several Hundreds of Dollars

A European mount can be done at home. Skull mount a hunting trophy using these simple, thorough directions. This page describes what you need and explains exactly how to do it.

Hunting Pictures: Todays Cameras are Simple, but Watch These Details

Taking hunting pictures doesn’t come naturally to most of us who are not practiced and studied photographers. Here are some basic pointers the experts recommend.

Elk Hunting Book List and Book Reviews: Learn Elk Hunting Secrets

An Elk hunting book is an expert tutorial. Learn elk hunting secrets the easy way. Here is a list of books written by veteran elk hunters. Add the authors skills to your own.

Elk Recipes: Cooking With Healthy and Delicious Elk Meat

Elk recipes that are delicious and healthy, by a registered dietitian. Properly handled elk does not taste gamey. Your guests will rave and they won’t know it’s not lean beef.

Grinding Venison is easy: How to Grind Elk and Deer Meat Into Burger Yourself

Grinding venison (elk and deer meat) is easy, saves money and provides fresher, healthier burger than buying ground beef or having a wild game processor do it for you.

How to Make Sausage: The Least Expensive and Simplest Way

Want to know how to make sausage at home? Here’s the simplest, least expensive way to make homemade sausage using your choice of meat and spice blends.

Is Bear Spray Better Than a Gun for Protection From Bear Attacks?

Bear spray should be carried on the hip or chest when hiking or hunting in bear country. Pepper spray is an effective bear deterrent, if it is accessible and you can employ it quickly.

ATVs and Big Game Hunting: Managed Use and Common Sense

ATVs used for big game hunting evokes emotional responses from opposing sides. A little common sense, balance and some fact-based management are in order. Get informed and involved.

Wild Game Recipes: Celebrate the Harvest of Nature’s Finest Proteins

Share wild game recipes, or find recipes to use for wild game meats. Share your favorite big game, wild fowl and even fish recipes here. These recipes can be used for beef, pork or foul as well.

Elk Hunting Secrets and Tips: Share Yours or Read Others'

Elk hunting secrets come from experienced hunters. Use this forum page to share quick elk hunting tips or read others' recommendations. Share or add to your elk hunting knowledge.

Elk Pictures: Submit Your Elk Photos or Elk Hunting Pictures Here

Share elk pictures or elk hunting pictures here. Elk hunting photos are welcome, with or without elk in them. Feel free to submit cow elk or bull elk pictures.

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