Elk are large, graceful animals that live in the North American continent. Elk are very social creatures, and they usually live in groups called herds. The males of the herd will fight for dominance, and only one male will be chosen to be the leader of the herd.
They have a long lifespan with an average life span of 15 years. Elk are herbivores that eat grasses, shrubs, and other plants to sustain themselves. They can also eat berries and nuts as well as insects. Elk can run up to 40 miles per hour when they want to escape predators (You) or if they feel threatened.
They are also high in protein, iron, calcium and many other vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to your health. The meat is low in fat, high in protein, having a good taste and being easy to prepare.
Eating elk meat can help with weight loss because it has less calories than most meats. It also helps with heart health because it has high levels of antioxidants which help lower cholesterol levels.
So, it should be quite clear why people hunt for elk meat and why they are so popular here in America and in other parts of the world too.
1. Get a Trail Camera
Install trail cameras to gather data on how elk behave. The information that trail cameras collect 24 hours a day can be very useful about the elks in your hunting area. You might discover their feeding, bedding, and travel routes, among other locations.
Best Hunting Trail Cameras 2023
| 1520P 20MP Trail Camera ($66.99) | GardePro 24MP E6 WiFi Trail Camera ($79.99) |
| Vikeri 4K 32MP Trail Camera ($69.99) | Hawkray 20MP 1080P Trail Camera ($37.99) |
2. Scout for Them
Don’t look for elk the same way you look for deer. Elks behave differently from whitetail deer, so scouting techniques that work for deer won’t work for elks. Instead, learn where they go when they are scared by elk hunters.
3. Spot and Stalk
This all-season spot and stalk strategy is popular for elk hunting. To locate elks, ascend to a high perch and employ binoculars or spotting scopes.
In the early morning and late afternoon, glass over the terrain above the timberline or in shady clearings below the treeline. Use the spot and stalk strategy when you spot a bull you want to stalk.
4. Look for Transition Zones
Hunt transition zones between areas for eating, drinking, and sleeping. Always make an effort to keep the wind in your favor as you move to track elk. As elk try to keep the wind in their favor, you may need to move side to side.
5. Wallows and Water Holes
Keep an eye out for them. Elk consume water frequently throughout the day. Hunting wallows and water holes can be very rewarding.
Tree stands and ground blinds work well in close proximity to wallows and water features so make sure to be equipped with your hunting gear.
You are invited to check on Top 10 Tree Stands of 2023 which we posted recently about the best tree stands in the market today.
6. Look Out for Bad Weather
Elk know when bad weather is coming, so they eat a lot to get ready for it. By keeping an eye on the weather and anticipating bad weather, you can take advantage of this.
If you plan your hunting a few days ahead of a severe storm, you might be rewarded for your preparation.
7. Understanding Elk Behavior
In order to recover from the rut and gain weight before winter sets in, elk typically avoid cows at the end of October. You can hunt elks with this knowledge.
Hunt for bulls in rugged, remote locations where the likelihood of bulls encountering humans is extremely low. Also pay attention to canyons and other places with bare slopes or windswept ridge tops.
8. When the Elk Spots You
You shouldn’t instinctively stop doing anything and become motionless when it stops chewing and looks at you. Instead, gradually sink to the ground.
Crawl into a new position and remain there for as long as necessary before rising. Even if it isn’t scared, it will still be keeping an eye on that location.
9. Go for Multiple Shots
If you hit a bull and he continues to stand, you should hit him again with another shot. In open country, you don’t want to follow him for more than a few miles.
If it is necessary to finally eliminate him and avoid tracking him for several hours into the darkness, don’t be afraid to fire multiple shots at him.
10. Elk and Hot Weather
In hot weather, elk will hide in forests and evergreens with a few branches. The canopy of the forest provides shade from the sun.