7 Late-Season Elk Hunting Strategies

Late-Season Elk Hunting Strategies featured image showing a hunter walking up a snowy trail next to an image of a large bull elk crossing a snow covered sage brush flat.

Late-season elk hunting brings in a whole new set of challenges, and if you ask me, some of the most rewarding experiences of the season. As the weather cools and hunting pressure drops, elk become less vocal, tougher to pattern, and even more determined to find safety and food. QUICK LOOK: Key Late-Season Elk Hunting … Read more

Field Dressing And Butchering Your Elk: A Step-by-Step Guide

Guide to Field Dressing and Butchering Elk featured image.

Successfully field dressing and butchering an elk in the field helps preserve meat quality and makes the packing job a lot easier. When I’m deep in the backcountry after a hard-won elk, being ready for this job with the right knowledge and gear really pays off. Understanding each step cuts down on wasted time and … Read more

The Role Of Calling And Decoys In Elk Hunting

The Role of Calling and Decoys in Elk Hunting featured image showing an elk decoy, a bull elk mounting a cow elk, and the author packing meat out after a successful elk hunt.

Calling and decoys play really important roles in elk hunting. Both tools work together to convince elk that another member of their herd is nearby, making careful use of elk instincts to pull them into your location. QUICK LOOK: Tips for Using Calls and Decoys in Elk Hunting Through my experiences hunting in the Rockies … Read more

9 Tips And Techniques on Scouting For Elk

Scouting for Elk Featured image showing a hunter looking through his binoculars as the sun sets at two bull elk in the distance.

Scouting for elk can be thrilling and a bit challenging, especially if it’s your first season or you’re hunting a new area. To improve my chances, I use both digital tools and on-the-ground techniques, focusing on key elk needs: food, water, cover, and security. QUICK LOOK: Scouting for Elk Tips and Tactics Every part of … Read more

How To Choose The Right Rifle And Ammunition For Elk Hunting

How to Choose a Rifle and Ammo for Elk Hunting featured image.

Preparing for an elk hunt calls for more thought than just grabbing any rifle and a handful of bullets off the shelf. My experience has shown me that the right combination of rifle and ammunition can make or break your hunt. Elk are large, tough animals, and making ethical, effective shots is a responsibility every … Read more

6 Top Elk Hunting States In The US

Best States for Elk Hunting in the US featured image showing 3 successful elk hunters.

Elk hunting has a strong tradition in the US, with thousands of hunters heading out each fall looking for their next big adventure. If you’re planning your next elk hunt, choosing where to go matters a lot. Local elk populations, access to public land, chances for both resident and nonresident hunters, and the odds of … Read more

Understanding Elk Behavior For A Successful Hunt

Understanding Elk Behavior featured image showing a bugling bull elk next to a small herd of elk.

Hunting elk involves more than good gear or luck. After years out in the field, I’ve found that real success comes from digging into elk behavior, what sparks their routines, and being quick to adjust. QUICK LOOK: 6 Tips for Predicting Elk Behavior Elk care most about staying safe, finding food, and getting water, while … Read more

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To Elk Hunting

Ultimate Guide to Elk Hunting for Beginners featured image showing a hunter hiking through the woods next to an image of a bear sleeping next to a dead bull elk.

Elk hunting is a challenging adventure that draws many newcomers to America’s rugged backcountry every year. When I first started researching my own elk hunt, I quickly realized this pursuit goes far beyond simply carrying a rifle or bow into the woods. QUICK LOOK: 5 Pro Tips for Beginner Elk Hunters Between the physical demands, … Read more

How To Plan A Solo DIY Elk Hunting Adventure In The Mountains

How to Plan a DIY Solo Elk Hunt featured image showing the author with his pack on next to an image of the author with a nice bull elk.

Planning a solo DIY elk hunting adventure in the mountains brings an unmatched sense of freedom and fulfillment. The entire process depends on solid preparation, whether it’s your first hunt or your tenth. From my own adventures and stories shared by other seasoned solo hunters, I’ve put together this step-by-step guide, making sure to lay … Read more

4 of the Best DIY Elk Hunting Areas In Colorado

Best DIY Elk Hunting Areas in Colorado featured image showing several bull elk on the hillside still in velvet.

Elk hunting in Colorado can be an exciting challenge for the do-it-yourself adventurer. I have found that planning a personal hunting trip not only helps save on guide fees but also builds self-reliance. There is a wide selection of public lands in Colorado that support elk populations and offer plenty of opportunities. QUICK LOOK: Some … Read more