Professional hunters are agile and have professional gear, such as a hunting flashlight, appropriate clothing, and a selection of rifles at their disposal. They scout the area and stalk their prey just like our ancestors did in prehistoric times. Hunting elk is one of those hobbies that can turn in profits or feed your family for weeks if you know what you’re doing.
Train your body
An elk hunter maintains his or her physical fitness no matter what. Taking part in hunting is not an easy task, and you should not consider it a simple game. If you’re traveling through mountainous terrain or dense woodland, you should expect to be out of breath. Jog as much as you can every day so that you become accustomed to climbing steep hills and running around looking for the perfect elk to kill.
To discover an elk in most situations, you’ll have to go at least six miles in the wilderness. And, depending on the season, finding a decent elk to hunt can take several days. Because of this, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential if you want your efforts to be fruitful. Hunting is not an easy endeavor, and you should not approach it in that manner. Instead, approach it as if it were the most difficult thing you’ve ever done, and prepare to treat it as such.
Train your mind
Aside from your physical well-being, your mind and spirit will also be put to the test. You should also train your thinking, which is something else you should concentrate on. You should plan ahead of time because you will be desperately looking for a decent hunt, and you should attempt to maintain your composure and remain calm. In any hunting circumstance, losing concentration is something you do not want to happen, let alone while hunting an elk of such great size as this one.
Having a positive attitude is essential for success, especially when undertaking a difficult task like elk hunting, when even a small variation in mood can make a significant impact.
Know the area that you’ll be hunting in and plan your every move
Before you start hunting, take some time to scout the surrounding environment. If necessary, you can even use programs such as Google Maps to acquire a satellite picture of the terrain and map out your route in detail. However, it is far preferable to stroll around on foot and take in every sound that surrounds you. Being in the forest or on top of a mountain will provide you with a far better view of the terrain and potential elk herds than being on the ground.
If you intend to hunt in a location that is remote from your house, we recommend that you hire a guide to accompany you. Identify and approach other elk hunters who are familiar with the area and persuade them to show you the ropes. This will make it much easier for you to know what to look out for in the future. Make sure to conduct your study and find out which sections of the area are off-limits to hunting before going hunting.
Seek out and scope out
Optics are vital in elk hunting because you need to be able to see elks from a long distance in order to successfully hunt them. If you come too close to the elk, it may notice or hear you, and it will take off running. Go to a sporting goods store and purchase a pair of binoculars that are within your price range while also being able to zoom in on distant objects for miles and miles.
We’re fortunate to be living in an era where technology is so sophisticated. As far as we’re concerned, there isn’t a single pair of current binoculars or rifle scopes that aren’t good enough. If they’re only going to be used for spotting, they’ll be OK. And while we’re on the subject of optics, don’t forget your flashlight. When the sun goes down, you don’t want to be stuck in the dark of a forest when night falls.
Practice shooting
Even though this should be obvious sense, there are many people who attempt to hunt without putting in the necessary effort to improve their shooting or bow skills. Elks are quite fast, therefore if you are noticed or if you are at a long distance, you must be extremely precise with your targeting. Before you start hunting, you should go to the range and practice for at least a few days.
If you’ve gone for an extended amount of time without firing a rifle, you’ll want to do this as well because these skills may be easily forgotten without repetition. In the case of bow hunting, the same holds true. Go to an archery range where you can spend as much time as you need practicing your skills. You’ll significantly improve your odds of nailing the winning shot as a result of this strategy.
Dress properly for a hunt
Hunting is a difficult task, as you have most likely realized by this point. When following elks, the most critical layer of clothing to wear is the base layer of clothing. A wool base layer is recommended to keep you warm on your travel. If it becomes too hot, you may simply remove your jacket; however, the base layer is necessary in case the weather becomes extremely unpleasant at any point.
On top of the base layer, you should apply a high-quality insulation layer in order to increase the warmth of the base layer even more. Due to the unpredictable nature of the weather on the mountaintop, you may also want to consider bringing a light rain suit with you. When hunting in the late season, you’ll also need a jacket and some high-quality wool pants that will keep you warm without scratching your skin.
Don’t forget water
Rain can impede your progress, but water is necessary for survival as well as for successful hunting. It is recommended that you have some sort of filtered water bottle with you so that you may easily fill it up with river water if the scenario calls for it. Keep in mind that you won’t have the same level of comfort as you enjoy at home when you’re out hunting.
Placing water in containers and putting them in your bag is not an ideal situation. Your bag will already be too heavy without the addition of water to make it even heavier. So do yourself a favor and invest in a portable filter, a filtered bottle, or anything else that will allow you to stay hydrated without taking up much space or adding to your weight.
Bring camping gear
You are still a human being, no matter how tough you appear to be. And ultimately, you’ll be overcome with sleepiness. Naturally, sleeping in the open is not a smart idea, so you’ll need at the very least a tent and a sleeping bag to keep warm and comfortable. We recommend that you bring a one-man sleeping tent as well as gear that can be folded up and stored in your backpack for convenience.
When hunting, it’s possible to become disoriented or to wander too far from your camp, so having a portable camping option is a good idea. Being able to get a good night’s sleep will also allow you to concentrate better on locating and hunting your prey, so don’t act as if you’re made of steel. Get enough sleep so that you can wake up with a clear head the next day and achieve exceptional outcomes.
Learn to blow an elk call
Elk don’t merely wander about aimlessly in search of food. It may be necessary for you to go the extra mile in order to attract them personally. This will necessitate the use of an elk call. It’s similar to a dog whistle, except that it’s designed to attract elk, as the name says. Make use of it to lure elks to your area or, at the very least, to encourage them to shout out their location so that you will have an easier time identifying them.
Look for a guide or outfitter who has previous elk hunting expertise, as they will be able to teach you the necessary skills while keeping track of your development. Learning how to blow an elk call isn’t difficult, but it may be time-consuming, particularly if you’re attempting to learn on your own timetable. Elks, like many other animals, are able to recognize particular messages based on the frequency of the tone used to communicate with them.
Take good care of your feet
When it comes to elk hunting, your feet are the most vital factor to consider out of everything you’ve learned thus far in this essay. When it comes to purchasing high-quality boots and socks, don’t be stingy with your money. If walking becomes too painful, which it will ultimately do, you will not be able to hunt at a level that is acceptable to you. Take a close look at a few pairs of wool socks and a pair of boots that are both pleasant and durable.
These will make a significant improvement in your hunting abilities. When walking over extended periods of time, some people develop blisters the size of quarters on the soles of their feet. As a result, we cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have appropriate walking equipment.
Conclusion
Remember all you’ve learned here today and put it to good use in your life. Plan your budget accordingly, and don’t skimp on the quality of your work. Rather of losing your prey altogether and returning home empty-handed after several days of tracking and shooting, it is preferable to invest a few extra dollars on items that will help you become a more efficient hunter in the long run.