What I've learnt is as a British-based bowhunter...DON'T RELY ON STATE GAME DEPARTMENT STATS!!
More importantly [thanks Corey and Uthe excellent University of Elk Hunting DVD...]
1) Get away from trailheads/other hunters 2) Look for meadows where elk can feed 3) Look for where elk can water 4) Look for north-facing slopes where elk can bed in the cool
'Elk are where you find them'
Lots of really helpful folks here on Bowsite; just dont ask for honey-holes...show you have put your work in, and I'm sure you will get help.
Good luck and good hunting
Kenneth
(A British Bowhunter and Proud of It)
As far as equipment goes, elk aren't just big whitetails. Shoot a reasonably heavy arrow at a draw weight as heavy as you can comfortably and accurately shoot. I highly recommend a one-piece, COC BH. Also, make sure you have all the knives, saws, game bags, packframe, etc., you need to get your elk out of the woods. Unless you've done it, you have no idea the task it can be to get an 8-900 lb bull out of the woods. This is further complicated by the fact you may have several ridges you need to negotiate, streams/creeks/beaver ponds you need to navigate, not to mention the ungodly downfall you need to get through. Most first-time elk hunters greatly underestimate what it takes to take care of the meat.
As far as shooting tips, practice severe uphill/downhill shots, as well as shooting from uncomfortable/awkward positions. Practice shooting out to 80yds or so. Although I would never advise anyone to shoot that far at live game, it makes those 40-50yd shots seem much easier. That said, most shots that I get in the area I hunt are 30yds and under. In fact, I've killed 3 elk that were under 10 yds. #1 tip in my book is set up in FRONT of cover when an elk is coming in. Set up behind cover, and 9 times out of 10, you're going to screw yourself out of a potential shot.
As far as calling goes, rule #1 is to learn how to use a diaphragm. Rule # 2 is...learn how to use a diaphragm. Yep, IMO, it's that important for a couple reasons. First, you can make every sound an elk makes with a diaphragm and grunt tube. Secondly, and maybe even more important, it's hands-free. You can have a bull getting ready to pass through a shooting lane, be at full draw, hit a mew as his near front leg is going forward, and have him stop on a dime, exposing his goodies. Doesn't get any better than that! Also, it's just as important to know WHEN to call as HOW to call. Overcall, or use the wrong call, and you screw yourself. Don't call at the right time, or call at the wrong time, and you've also screwed yourself. Like most things in life, experience is the best teacher.
As Barty states, elk are where you find them. If you want to backpack in for them, nothing wrong with that. HOWEVER, they can also be 100 yds from a major mountain highway. The trick is finding those places where they have food, water, nearby cover, and feel secure.
One other thing, and I'm not sure it doesn't trump everything else. I'm a very aggressive elk hunter, but only when the odds are in my favor. There are times when other elk, terrain, wind, etc., may dictate how aggressive you can get. HOWEVER, if the wind isn't in your favor, or it's swirling. that is NOT the time to be aggressive. Know when to press the issue, know when to back out and wait for another day.
I thought he was going to forget to mention being aggressive. It took our group a while to figure out elk are not whitetails! Yes their nose is good and if scented they can run for MILES but noise isn't a big deal to them. Elk noise that is. They can sound like a bulldozer coming through the woods so don't get hung up on making noise. We were way too timid the first few hunts.
Good luck.
Oh, one warning: there just might not be anything as addictive as elk hunting...maybe needs to be an EHA: elk hunters anonymous!
I found on my first hunt that you don't have to go 5 miles in. We camped on at forest roads and elk were crossing back and forth across the road at night. I shot my rat horn 0.6 miles from camp but had run ins even closer to the road than that Good luck.
Many elk "hunters" take years to figure this out. Many others never do.
Best of luck
In most areas you will be worthless if out of shape, but dont let the terrain discourage you, I have seen 70 year old guys not miss a beat coming from back east because they have taken the time to prepare physically. Again, you have to want it.
Also perpare mentally. You may have shot your bow thousands of times at the range but if you want to get serious, if possible, it would be good practice to shoot your bow ONE time EVERY DAY as if it were the only shot you get. As mentioned before, shoot odd angles and body positions. After the shot, think about where it hit and if marginal how it could have been corrected on your part. Even to the point of not taking the shot. Because you will likely only get one shot.
Some shops have a virtual video screen to shoot at. This can be money and time well spent at a range.
If you wound an elk PLEASE, PLEASE dont just shoot another one. Spending days tracking and looking can pay off in more ways than one. Even if you never find it
Enjoy :)
