Hunts / Big Game / Elk

Elk Hunting

The bugling monarch of the mountains

700-1,100 lbs bulls average

September rut peak calling

High-altitude backcountry pursuit

Overview Seasons & Regulations Techniques Equipment Field Preparation Tips & Safety

About Elk Hunting

The elk (Cervus canadensis) is the second largest species in the deer family and one of North America's most challenging and rewarding big game animals. From approximately 10 million animals pre-settlement to about 1 million today, elk populations have recovered thanks to conservation efforts.

Elk hunting is notoriously demanding - high altitude, rugged terrain, and vast distances make it the most physically challenging hunt in North America. The September rut, when bulls bugle to attract cows and challenge rivals, creates an unforgettable hunting experience.

Four subspecies survive in North America: Rocky Mountain, Roosevelt, Tule, and Manitoba elk. Each offers unique hunting opportunities across western states.

Why Hunt Elk

The Ultimate Challenge

Physically demanding wilderness hunts test your limits

The Bugle

Hearing a bull elk scream in the mountains is life-changing

Exceptional Meat

500+ lbs of lean, delicious venison from a single animal

Wilderness Adventure

Hunt pristine mountain country few ever experience

Elk Biology

Elk are impressive animals with significant size differences between subspecies and sexes.

Bulls: 700-1,100 lbs (exceptional bulls over 1,200 lbs)
Cows: 450-650 lbs (25% smaller than bulls)
Antlers: Up to 40 lbs and 5 ft wide span
Growth Rate: Antlers grow ~1 inch per day during peak
Height: Bulls 4.5-5 ft at shoulder

Subspecies

Four subspecies survive in North America, each adapted to different habitats.

Rocky Mountain Elk: Second largest subspecies, largest antlers
Roosevelt Elk: Largest by body mass, west of Cascades
Tule Elk: Smallest subspecies, California only
Manitoba Elk: Northern subspecies, mid-sized

Eastern elk and Merriam's elk are extinct (100+ years).

Calling & Bugling

During the rut, calling can bring bulls into range. The key is knowing when and how much to call - every situation is different.

Calling Strategy

Locator Bugles: Use sparingly to find bulls
Cow Calls: Less intrusive, harder to mess up
Lost Calf Call: Effective on timid herd bulls
Raking Trees: Underrated - within 100 yards brings bulls fast
75-Yard Rule: Don't call from farther away - bulls often move away

Spot & Stalk

Glassing from vantage points to locate elk, then planning and executing a stalk. This method works year-round, not just during the rut.

Spot & Stalk Keys

Glass first - use quality optics from high ground
Target open areas (sage, burns) where elk can be tracked
Always manage the wind - detour if necessary
Resist urge to call - maintain element of surprise
Be patient - stalks can take hours

Still Hunting

Slowly moving through elk habitat, using cover and wind to close distance on unsuspecting animals.

Still Hunting Tips

Best on windy days - wind covers sound
Hunt upwind or crosswind always
Move with wind gusts for cover
Move extremely slowly - stop every 5 minutes minimum
Rain provides excellent cover for movement

Ambush Hunting

Position yourself along known travel routes, near wallows, or at transition zones between bedding and feeding areas.

Ambush Locations

Wallows: Heavily used during rut
Water Sources: Especially in dry country
Saddles: Natural travel corridors
Feeding Areas: Morning and evening edges

Rifle Calibers

Elk are large, tough animals requiring adequate calibers with proper bullets. Plan for minimum 1,500 ft-lbs of energy at your hunting range.

Popular Calibers

.30-06 Springfield: Top choice - "elk killer, always has been"
.300 Winchester Magnum: Excellent for extended ranges
.270 Winchester: Classic, effective with modern bullets
7mm Remington Magnum: Manageable recoil, high ballistic efficiency
.338 Winchester Magnum: Heavy-hitting power for big bulls

Bullet weights: 165-180 grain for .30 calibers typically recommended

Optics & Gear

Quality optics are essential for locating elk across vast mountain terrain and making ethical shots.

Essential Optics

Binoculars: 10x42 or 8x42 premium glass
Spotting Scope: 15-45x or similar for ID and planning stalks
Rangefinder: Critical for accurate shot placement
Rifle Scope: 3-9x or 4-12x common; quality glass matters

Backcountry Gear

Wilderness elk hunts require serious backcountry gear. Be prepared for everything from hot days to early winter storms.

Pack: 60-80L frame pack (external or internal)
Shelter: Quality tent rated for mountain weather
Sleep System: 0°F or lower rated bag, quality pad
Satellite Communicator: Garmin inReach or similar (essential)
Water Filtration: Pump or gravity filter system
Bear Spray: 90% success rate in deterring attacks

Pack-Out Gear

You'll need to pack out 500+ lbs of meat, often over rugged terrain. Plan for multiple trips.

Game Bags: Heavy-weight breathable bags for quarters
Knife Kit: Sharp knives, sharpener, bone saw
Paracord/Rope: For hanging meat, hoisting
Frame Pack: External frame handles heavy awkward loads
Headlamp: Many pack-outs start before dawn or end after dark

Physical Demands

Elk hunting is the most physically demanding hunt in North America. Prepare seriously or you'll struggle.

What to Expect

Elevation: 6,800-11,000+ feet - sea-level hunters suffer
Daily Mileage: 5-10 miles typical; 20% of hunts exceed 16 miles
Vertical Gain: ~5,000 ft per day average
Pack Weight Going In: 30-55 lbs typical
Pack Weight Pack-Out: 100+ lbs per trip

Training

Start preparing 3-6 months before your hunt. You can't out-gear poor fitness.

Training Program

Rucking: 2-3 times per week with weighted pack
Light Days: 40 lbs at brisk 15-minute mile pace
Heavy Days: 70 lbs at slower pace
Build Distance: Start 2-3 miles, work up to 6-8 miles
Simulate Altitude: Add 20-40 lbs if training below 6,000 ft

Field Dressing

Getting meat cooled quickly is critical. Most hunters quarter elk in the field using the gutless method.

Gutless Method

Remove quarters and prime cuts WITHOUT opening body cavity
Cleaner and faster for backpack pack-outs
Each quarter goes into breathable game bag
Remove backstraps, tenderloins, neck meat, rib meat
Hang in shade with good airflow to cool

Meat Care

Proper cooling and handling ensures quality meat from your hard-earned elk.

Cooling Priority: Get meat off ground and in shade ASAP
Game Bags: Allow airflow while protecting from insects
De-Bone: Accelerates cooling (bones retain heat)
Below 40°F: Prop cavity open if whole; hang quarters
Above 40°F: Use ice/snow if available; expedite pack-out
Aging: Can age 7-10 days at 40°F before cutting

Hunting Tips

Glass More, Walk Less

Use optics from vantage points - let your eyes do the work

Play the Wind

Elk have excellent noses - always approach from downwind

Hunt the Transitions

Elk move between bedding and feeding - target these zones

Be Flexible

Best hunters switch between calling, stalking, and ambushing

Shot Placement

Heart/Lung Shot

Behind front shoulder, one-third up from brisket - most reliable

Wait for Broadside

Quartering away also excellent - avoid quartering toward

Know Your Limits

Practice at realistic hunting distances - pass shots you can't make

Range First

Use rangefinder - elk look closer than they are in open country

Safety Reminders

Bear Country Safety

Carry bear spray on hip - 90% success rate deterring attacks
No food, toothpaste, or scented items in tent
Hang food 10 ft up, 4 ft from trunk (grizzly country)
Be extra alert after harvest - bears associate gunshots with gut piles
Drag gut pile far from meat and return during daylight only

Wilderness Safety

Carry satellite communicator - cell phones won't work
Physical fitness is mandatory - mountains kill unprepared hunters
Weather changes rapidly - be prepared for extremes
Tell someone your exact hunt location and expected return
Carry water and means to purify more

Ready to Hunt Elk?

Find hunting locations near you that offer elk hunting opportunities.