The Ultimate Guide to Elk Hunting

For every American whitetail hunter, Western elk hunting is aspirational, calling to them the way Cooperstown calls to a Little Leaguer. The impossibly heavy and branching antlers of bulls are as alluring as the soaring mountains where they live, and the mythology of elk is filled with Western romance: canvas wall tents, the creaking leather of pack trains, and frosty mornings at timberline. And thanks to reintroductions and range expansion, elk are doing well across much of their range. But elk hunting in the West is not necessarily easy or affordable for many hunters. Just as Major League Baseball remains stubbornly out of reach for most of us.

If you’re planning your first elk hunt or if you’re a new elk hunter hoping to find success, read our elk hunting guide. We’ve rounded up the tips, tactics, and knowledge you’ll need to at least get in the game.

How to Get an Elk Hunting Tag

Attaining a quality elk tag is not simple, even with millions of acres of public land throughout elk country. There are three routes an elk hunter can go. You can buy an over-the-counter tag, apply for limited draw hunts, or hire an outfitter. Each route has its own pros and cons.

Over the Counter Tags

This type of tag is exactly what it sounds like. You show up and buy your license and tag. However, there are fewer and fewer over-the-counter elk hunting opportunities for non-resident hunters.

Pros

• No waiting period
• You can obtain a tag every year
• Realistic goals can lead to success
• Most OTC units have lots of public lands

Cons

• High hunting pressure
• Lower quality bulls
• Significant investment for low odds
• Demanding physical hunt

I have been hunting elk for 25 years and have mostly gone the OTC public land DIY route. Most OTC tags are archery tags, but Colorado still offers rifle tags for some seasons. Stay on top of each state’s OTC language as it varies. Some western states have OTC tags with caps, which sell out quickly.

Expect heavy hunt pressure and set realistic goals when hunting elk in an OTC area. Shoot the first legal bull that gives you an opportunity. Those willing to wander can still find pockets of public-land elk nirvana, but it’s getting harder to come by.

OTC Elk Hunting Tip

Don’t overlook areas close to access roads. Camp close to your truck and stay ultra mobile. Dive into deep holes close to access roads that most hunters pass by.

Limited Entry and Lottery Tags

This type of application is essentially putting your name in the hat and hoping it gets picked. Each year you don’t get picked helps you build preference points, which increase your chances of getting picked next season. States vary in how they run their limited entry hunts, so this route requires lots of good research.

Pros

• Less hunt pressure
• Better animal quality
• Better bull-to-cow ratio

Cons

• Increased pressure to succeed
• Requires researching odds
• Drawing keeps getting more competitive
• Long-term investment that can become expensive

I had limited entry tags for the five years I didn’t hunt OTC. Some took two years to draw, and one took ten. Set different goals and expectations when you pull a limited entry or lottery tag. Do the research, find out what class of bulls the unit is known for, and set your sights on a good one. Network with other hunters, primarily if you draw a premium unit. Deeply research which states to apply with and which season and unit to focus on.

Limited Draw and Lottery Tip

Time will be your best friend. Do whatever you must do ahead of the hunt to ensure you get as much time in the field as possible. I have seen hunters wait 20 years to draw a tag and expect the hunt to be easy.

Hiring an Outfitter

Some outfitters are guaranteed a certain number of tags, so you can buy your whole hunt from them. Others will guide you after you draw a limited entry tag on your own. Outfitters guide on private ranches or public wilderness, often utilizing horses to pack their hunters in deep.

Pros

• Access to private ground most of the time
• Quality animals
• Outfitter knows the country and the elk
• Improved success rate
• Not as physically demanding
• Outfitter packs the animal out (often on horses)

Cons

• Expensive
• Outfitter quality varies greatly

Many fantastic elk outfitters exist if you research and sift through the weeds. Most quality outfitted elk hunts will cost over $10K. If you have the means, go for it. If not, you can work with an outfitter to make a down payment and pay them each year until you can make the hunt a reality.

Elk hunting can be expensive, especially for non-resident hunters. Going with a good outfitter doesn’t guarantee success, but you’re more likely to be in elk and have a good time. If you save for a few years, you can make an outfitted or semi-outfitted hunt happen.

Outfitter Tip

Ask lots of questions and ask for references. Any good outfitter can answer all your questions and provide a list of references.

Elk Hunting Gear

Expert elk hunters rely on specialized gear when they backpack into the backcountry. But much of the gear used for deer hunting will work fine on an elk hunt. However, there are some things you need to consider.

Boots

You’ll want boots that allow you to hike steep country without getting blisters or rolling an ankle. Likewise, you’ll need boots that support you when you’re loaded down with a heavy pack.

Packs

The backpack you choose depends on the type of elk hunt you’re planning to do. If you’re backpacking in, you’ll need a large pack to carry your gear and (hopefully) lots of meat on the way out. If you’re hunting closer to the truck, you can get away with a smaller pack, but it still needs to be a capable meat hauler.

Rifles & Ammo

Your favorite deer rifle and load will work just fine on an elk hunt. However, if you’re looking for a new setup, consider the best elk hunting rifles and best elk calibers.

Broadheads

Broadhead selection depends on the bow you’re shooting. In general, archers shooting a heavier draw weight can opt for mechanical broadheads while hunters shooting a lower draw weight should shoot a fixed-blade head.

General Elk Hunting Tips

Four distinct subspecies of elk currently roam North America. The most numerous and widely distributed is the Rocky Mountain elk. No matter where they live, elk like open meadows but can tolerate dense forests. They will flee to the densest timbered pockets whenever they feel threatened. Set up on meadows assuming the animals arrive as scripted. If you prefer a more active type of hunting, climb to a lookout and use optics to find elk and then work out a stalk that gets you within range. Pay careful attention to the wind, always keeping it in your face. Elk migrate along ancient corridors and can be intercepted along these routes. Bowhunt during the rut and call bugling bulls into range.

Tips for Hunting Public Land Elk

• Don’t get married to a spot
• Set up in front of cover
• Be prepared for a frontal shot
• Learn the landscape
• Know where the elk will go
• Learn a diaphragm call
• Be unselfish
• Be prepared for the packout
• Conserve your energy
• Always believe

How to Call Elk

Setting the stage for a conversation with elk is crucial. Blow a call with an expectation of an answer. Advance the conversation by blowing another call the moment they stop responding. With pressured animals, use high-pitched calls. Pour emotion and cadence into your calls. Some animals may not be callable, and that’s because they have other priorities.

Elk Hunting Shape

Many new elk hunters underestimate the physical challenge of a hunt. Be physically fit and capable of hiking steep terrain at elevation for days on end.

Q&A: Answers to Your Elk Hunting Questions

When is elk hunting season?

Most places have archery elk hunting season from early September to November or December.

What states have elk hunting?

All Western states have elk hunting seasons. Some Eastern states also have elk hunts.

How much does it cost to go elk hunting?

Fully guided elk hunts can cost thousands of dollars. DIY hunts are more affordable but still require expenses for licenses, gear, etc.

What rifle to use for elk hunting?

Use a rifle you can shoot accurately. Medium-sized calibers like the .270 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor are fine choices for elk hunting.

Final Thoughts on Elk Hunting

Competition for elk tags is tough, so consider OTC hunts or applying for units with high drawing odds. Elk hunting requires patience, research, and investment. Hunt often and gain knowledge for future success.