More Elk hunting tips

by Pat Cassidy
(Pilot Rock, Oregon)

Some more tips for Elk hunters

In addition to all the techno-gizmos you probably don't really need, add 15 feet of 1/4" poly rope.
If you have ever killed an elk on a steep hillside you know how difficult it is to field dress it. The darn thing keeps sliding down the hill! Just get out your rope and tie the elk to a tree, bush, etc. and have at it. No more sliding.
On the odd occasion when you can drag an elk whole, try this out. Tie the rope around the base of the antlers, take the rope down the head to the nose and tie it again using a half-hitch. The nose tie-off will keep the head in line with the pull, preventing hang-ups. Now take the end of the rope and tie it to the center of a stout piece of limb. You get on one side of the limb and your buddy on the other side and push together. Really works great, especially if there is a little snow.

Over the years I have been lucky enough to see three different rifles with damaged barrels caused by debris in the barrel when fired. Not a good thing for accuracy! I said I was lucky ... they weren't mine.
I learned from this tho, and for many years I have covered the muzzle of my rifles with black electrical tape. The bullet never notices.
More tape stuff: wrap a foot or so around the barrel of your rifle so you will always have some to replace the muzzle cover. Use the tape to secure your tag to an antler. If anyone asks what the tape is for, tell 'em your barrel is split.

Notice that red stuff on my knife? Red flagging ribbon, one of the handiest tools you can carry.
Use it to mark the sites when tracking an animal as pointed out on this website.
Mark forks in a trail or the place on a ridge you want to find later ... well you get the drift. Just be sure to remove it when you come out of the woods.

You may have wondered what that black tube on my 'scope is. That is a piece of 1.25" PVC pipe painted flat black inside and out. This simple (and cheap) tube cuts virtually all glare when shooting into the sun. Especially effective morning and evening, it enables you to take a shot you would never be able to without it.

That's all folks. Put some of yours on, I need all the help I can get!