This is going to be my first elk season -- what are things you wish you knew?

[KDfishbiologist]

This fall will be my first time ever elk hunting. I have my license and tag, know the rules for my GMU, and have preferred spots picked out thanks to lots of scouting this year behind gates so not looking for spot suggestions or rules, but rather is there anything you wish you knew way back when you first started elk hunting?

My favorite advice so far: get some friends on speed dial. Although now I think I'm on the hook for beer even if I don't need them 

[vandeman17]

If you spook elk and they get on the run, they are likely gone. I used to think I could chase down a herd if I bumped them but it RARELY happens with anything more then catching them a few hundred yards away going over the next ridge.

[luvmystang67]

Leave your weapon at home for the first 2-3 seasons.   

[7mmfan]

Here are a couple tidbits I've accumulated over the years:

- Keep shooting until they're down. Elk are tough animals and if you're hunting the jungle they can disappear in a hurry.
- Let other hunters do the work for you. The elk are going to get pushed around a fair amount in the first couple days. Position yourself where you can see well and wait. Be ready for a quick shot, it may be all you get.
- Don't be afraid to make noise when still hunting. Even when you think you're silent, you're not. They can hear you. And they know the difference between a quiet animal in the woods and a person trying to be quiet. Make a little noise, use a cow call softly and sparingly to try and create that effect. You will be surprised how close they'll let you get.
- Elk are big animals. You will be AMAZED when you walk up on your first one. Enjoy it.
- Check your scope frequently. Keep it on the lowest magnification you have. Nothing worse than running into an animal at close quarters and your scope is on 15x.

[Magnum_Willys]

If you spook elk and they get on the run, they are likely gone. I used to think I could chase down a herd if I bumped them but it RARELY happens with anything more then catching them a few hundred yards away going over the next ridge.

Sprint after them and you may get a shot in the first 50 yards.  They can’t hear you when they are trotting and they will stop and look back.  Done it many times but sprinting at 65 is pretty short range now. 

[vandeman17]

If you spook elk and they get on the run, they are likely gone. I used to think I could chase down a herd if I bumped them but it RARELY happens with anything more then catching them a few hundred yards away going over the next ridge.

Sprint after them and you may get a shot in the first 50 yards.  They can’t hear you when they are trotting and they will stop and look back.  Done it many times but sprinting at 65 is pretty short range now.

True but I guess I was speaking more to archery. Even at 39 and being fit, it is amazing how much ground they can cover in a short amount of time

[pianoman9701]

Here are a couple tidbits I've accumulated over the years:

- Keep shooting until they're down. Elk are tough animals and if you're hunting the jungle they can disappear in a hurry.
- Let other hunters do the work for you. The elk are going to get pushed around a fair amount in the first couple days. Position yourself where you can see well and wait. Be ready for a quick shot, it may be all you get.
- Don't be afraid to make noise when still hunting. Even when you think you're silent, you're not. They can hear you. And they know the difference between a quiet animal in the woods and a person trying to be quiet. Make a little noise, use a cow call softly and sparingly to try and create that effect. You will be surprised how close they'll let you get.
- Elk are big animals. You will be AMAZED when you walk up on your first one. Enjoy it.
- Check your scope frequently. Keep it on the lowest magnification you have. Nothing worse than running into an animal at close quarters and your scope is on 15x.

I will add that if you're still hunting, move as slowly as you can and then cut that speed in half. In thick stuff, as on the wetside, take three steps and look around without too much body movement. Take three more, ad infinitum.

[dvolmer]

I wish I would have known where Montana and Wyoming were!

[Basinguy]

My first year elk hunting, first day 15 minutes into it I had 5 bulls screaming at us and charging our way in a hurry. Me and my friend discussed who was going to be the shooter, I immediately told him to be. We heard bugles behind us that were different from the ones that were charging in front of us. We assumed they were hunters so we respected their call and moved aside. A huge bull came crushing threw the russian olives to the side of us but to be respectful we didn't want to blow the guys hunt behind us. After that one came through we went ahead and came face to face with 3 bulls talking back and forth to us in the sage. My buddy got about 40 yards and missed a beautiful 5x5.

1. Decide who the shooter will be before it goes down. Also this was my spot I was taking him to. dont be afraid to say it's your turn.
2. There were no hunters behind us, it was another elk. If you can shoot an elk, do it. Don't pass up opportunities because you are worried you will offend someone.
3. We should have doubled up, don't be dumb

[Stein]

I wish I knew where the elk were.   

I got extremely lucky on my second season and shot a nice bull.  I then spent 6 years trying to replicate that once in a blue moon scenario just because it happened to work once.

Last two years, I have spent my time and effort learning about how to find elk.  I should have started there, sounds obvious, but I bet there isn't one in ten elk hunters that can take a map of a new area they have never been and show you with confidence the few areas that are high probability and why.

[jrebel]

Couple things I have learned

-  Be patient.....let the elk come to you if you can.  keep the wind in your favor and move slower than you would usually move.  Elk have a great sense of smell and almost always move with their nose into the wind.   
-  Stay out all day long if you can.  Mid day when it is hot out.....find some shade and sit, listen, smell...etc.  Elk will move all day long, especially if there is any pressure. 
-  Lastly....in your travels pay attention to the ambient temperature.  If you find and area that drops 5-10 degrees due to the shade, cover, stream, etc.....elk will seek those areas.  If you find these areas, find a trail, get the wind in your favor and sit on it.   Elk are big animals and will seek cooler areas.  Usually this is north facing drainages with water and heavy cover. 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Depending on season, (modern, muzzle
,archery) and side of the state.
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But forget about all the YouTube heros and just find an area with sign.
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They are often closer to the trailhead than you think.
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Relax, calm down, find food, water, and security cover.
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Spend the first few days scouting.
Don't be in a hurry..

That reprod that looks like it has tunnels through it?
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That dog hair fir that has tunnels through it?
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Any piece of the real estate that you don't want to go into?
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They will hide in that stuff all day, and walk past your camp or on open roads at night.
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Find  sign, and learn your area.
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You might not get one this year,   but the better you learn an area gives you an advantage next year.
 

[highside74]

Don't leave elk to find elk

Don't keep looking for elk if they aren't there. Be willing to relocate.

Don't force an encounter if the wind is bad.

[rtspring]

Hunt where the elk are! Not where they were. 

[teanawayslayer]

Hunt where the elk are! Not where they were.

:yeah:well put!