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

[highside74]

Hunt where the elk are! Not where they were.

That's what I meant

[mburrows]

always always play the wind and know how thermals work

[Dark2Dark]

What are you hunting with?

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

If you haven’t scouted, find sign. Then find hot sign. Then slow way down.
I was also too quiet and careful when I first started, elk make noise as they walk through the dry woods. Don’t be a beast but snapping a twig is no big thing. Make a cow mew if you do. Diaphragm calls are great for hands free calling

[KDfishbiologist]

What are you hunting with?

Rifle hunting

[KDfishbiologist]

Hunt where the elk are! Not where they were.

Sounds simple, but effective. Thank you 

[KDfishbiologist]

Thanks, all! These suggestions are great, and definitely include things I hadn't given a lot of thought about. We'll see how it goes 

[vandeman17]

Like was mentioned though and I wish I paid WAY more attention early on is wind and thermals. Even with a rifle, in the wrong wind, elk will smell you and be gone in the blink of an eye

[trophyhunt]

always always play the wind and know how thermals work

:yeah:most important thing you can do, elk can be anywhere in elk country. It’s not how much ground you cover, it’s how well you cover the ground. Be patient, stop and listen, keep your head up-look all around. And hunt ALL day! I’ve killed most my bulls and my biggest in the afternoon.

[logola512c]

If you haven’t scouted, find sign. Then find hot sign. Then slow way down.
I was also too quiet and careful when I first started, elk make noise as they walk through the dry woods. Don’t be a beast but snapping a twig is no big thing. Make a cow mew if you do. Diaphragm calls are great for hands free calling

Agree.  And if you make noise while you're moving, try to sound like an elk or a deer or other animal moving, not a human.  Meaning, don't walk in a human cadence, step after rhythmic step,

[trophyhunt]

If you haven’t scouted, find sign. Then find hot sign. Then slow way down.
I was also too quiet and careful when I first started, elk make noise as they walk through the dry woods. Don’t be a beast but snapping a twig is no big thing. Make a cow mew if you do. Diaphragm calls are great for hands free calling

Agree.  And if you make noise while you're moving, try to sound like an elk or a deer or other animal moving, not a human.  Meaning, don't walk in a human cadence, step after rhythmic step,

add this to my suggestion! Act like elk, cow call once in a while, even in late rifle season.

[MIKEXRAY]

Have a plan and the equipment to get the animal broken down,  out of the woods and meat cooled down. I always have knives, gamebags, meat pack with me always( now) . Two huge ice chests with frozen milk jugs waiting in the back of the truck. Watch a " field to freezer " video on how to do a clean job. Don't stand over the dead elk with no plan . Good luck.

[jason stevens]

Make sure you have a good pack board an plenty of game bags for your harvest. An yes you can do it alone it just takes time to get it all out.  Ice it down fast. Sharp knifes an slow patience to get it all done.i hope you fill your tag.

[elksnout]

 
Stay out all day, you'll never shoot an elk from your sleeping bag.
Those animals get up and move during mid-day. Keep at the ready. Keep looking.
Expect to see elk. Negative thinking kills the hunt.
And as many have said. You'll never fool an elk's nose.


elksnout

[b0bbyg]

Animals can show up in unexpected areas, so always be hunting if out of the truck or camp.  Mt first year I had a 5x5 walk across a main road as I was heading back to camp to eat. equipment not ready no shot.

Fast forward a few years.. late season hunt, missed getting a shot at an elk that crossed my path as I was headed to "where I wanted to hunt" then as I was grumbling and trudging on another elk busted me at 15 yards because I was not paying attention.

Learn from my and others mistakes, always expect to see something and always be ready.

Animals don't really care where you think they should be