Public Land Elk Hang-ups
by Elknut
Hunting bull elk on public land is no easy task to say the least. Here are a few thoughts on hunting them effectively:
With more and more hunters out there wanting to hunt these great animals it's no wonder they get educated. It is up to us as hunters to understand what makes elk tick. We need to know when to stalk and ambush elk without calling. We need to know when to call and what sounds are best depending on the encounter at hand. We need to know what wallows are best to hunt considering time of month and day. We need to establish the difference between a herd bull or satellite bull by their appearance or sound.
CALLING QUIET ELK
By Elknut
So many times during the course of our elk hunts we will come upon situations where elk are just flat silent, especially during early season elk hunting. Yep, the elk are there but both bulls and cows show little interest in being vocal or responding to calls. With many hunters having only 5 to 7 days for their elk hunts they need to create interest or action "now.” These hunters aren’t picky: they are looking for "any elk." They are happy with any type of bull or cow. What are some of the best ways to attract elk when elk are just not showing signs of rutting? Consider these methods:
Early Season Elk Tactics “Go High or Go Home”
By Aron Snyder
The peak of the rut is by far the most sought after time to head out west and harvest an elk. The cows are going into estrus, bulls are screaming all night long and the potential to get face to face with a rut-crazed bull is very likely. Now I agree that encountering all if these things in the wilderness is certainly an elk hunter’s dream, but for a real kick in the pants adventure, early season at 11,500 feet is where it’s at!
Setups Things To Consider!
By Elknut
Your setup is one of the most important and most overlooked things that can blow an encounter in the heat of the moment! A few calls can tell you whether or not elk are rutting. Many hunters do not realize how keen elk are. Elk can see through the timber or brush at long distances. They are looking for a resemblance of an elk from where sounds are coming from. When they do not see another elk a "red flag" of concern is raised! Tip: Decoys can be an asset!