Rookie Elk Hunting Questions

[NorseNW]

I really struggled with understanding all the gimmicks out there that they really over-sold in the hunting shows.  For example, I worried more about having the right scent controlling clothing and spray than actually playing the wind.  I obsessed over a lot of details and gear that didn't matter. I finally got tuned into some classic hunting/gun writers that really set me straight on things:
1. Observe.  That means slow down and be quiet, and glass.  Life is too short for bad glass.
2. Camo doesn't matter as much as being still and quiet.
3.  Being hidden, still and quiet doesn't matter at all if the animals are down wind from you.
4.  Finding animals doesn't matter if you can't hit them in the right spot.  And an 06' is about all you need.
5.  You can't kill as many animals if you're sitting around in camp drinking beer and playing cards.

Amen 444Marlin!  I ran down that road as well. Thankfully not too far into my bank account but it went in a little bit.  I may need to use your "Life is too short for bad glass" mantra for my wife.  She doesn't balk at much I buy for hunting - actually what it has turned into is her buying the same stuff I do because she hunts with me.  Buying glass with lots of zeros after it has been the only thing that has caused "concern"

[Fidelk]

I've learned a few things:

1. Deer hunting can be a solo activity......enjoyable elk hunting usually requires a crew.

2. Hunts are later in the year so the weather can involve snow (hopefully) and you might be hunting at higher elevations with additional cold......so, wall tent and wood burning stove. A crew helps get camp set up and taken down quicker and helps in firewood collection.

3. If you shoot an elk in a difficult location, getting it back to camp can be a trial. That's where the crew comes in again.

4.  I tend to think that finding a good spot and sitting on it is more productive.....but this past season, I saw more elk (cows, a spike and a massive bull) all while walking around. All were on the move and all were less than 100 yards away (most within 50).

5. Hunting in open country, expect shots at 300-450 yards......I have a heavy barrel Remington zeroed at 300. Walking in cover, I carry a lighter rifle zeroed at 100 yards.

6. Walking in cover, set your scope to it's lowest magnification.

7. If you smoke or drink.....take enough "supplies" to last for the duration of the hunt. It's sad watching grown ass men cry after running out of cigarettes, beer and/or bourbon halfway through a hunt...….actually, more amusing than sad.

[Stein]

An excellent elk strategy is to figure out where the elk will go on the first day of the season when the army hits the woods.  I killed my first elk by lucking into a spot where they are driven to as opposed to where they want to be or "should" be.  These can be some pretty crazy places where you would never expect to see an elk.  They will be the same place year after year and sometimes day after day.