Elk are HEAVY. You have already probably considered this, but we want to emphasize it. Elk are extremely heavy animals, which is one reason why we prefer hunting mule deer. The average bone-in hind quarter of an elk is 65 lbs, and there are two of those quarters that you must pack off the mountain. There are two front shoulders, antlers, and many pounds of loose meat as well. Our point is, you must be physically ready for a heavy pack out. Couple that with the fact that elk often times live in mean steep country and you have your work cut out for you.
With that being said, you can do it. Get a proper pack that has a 150 lbs rating, hop on the MTNTOUGH Fitness app prior to your hunt and get your legs, core, back and lungs strong, and you will have confidence going into your archery elk hunt.
Tip #2: How to learn elk language
Elk have their own language and it takes time to learn what they are saying and to know how to speak to them. For example, ripping off a challenge bugle to the wrong type of bull can send him running to the next state, heck, we've even seen a master caller like Jason Phelps send a few bulls running! Find a friend that would be willing to mentor you that knows how to speak their language and learn from him. There are also a countless number of guys on Youtube that are master callers. Read, watch, and learn.
After you read, watch, and learn - you must practice, practice, and practice some more! Practice your calls in the truck, sitting on the couch, and any spare moment you get. You can't be afraid to make mistakes. Yes, you might send a bull running a time or two and really screw up, but you can learn from that experience and change things up the next time.
Tip #3: How to find elk
Seems simple enough. But the more practice you get interacting with, and observing elk, the more you will understand their language. The fact is, you will get more practice by being in elk-dense areas. If you spend 4 days scouting or hunting and see 2 elk, your learning will be a slower growth than if you are in elk all day.
The best way to find elk-dense areas is by putting your boots to the ground and looking for them. Look for water, cover, feed, sign, and obviously the elk themselves. If you put enough time in scouting during the Summer and chasing elk in September you will eventually find them.
There are also countless resources for reading where large elk herds reside be it articles from wildlife state agencies, individuals that have put boots on the ground, or companies like Huntin' Fool that provide that information to you.
Tip #4: How to figure out elk behavior
You found an elk-dense area, eh? Awesome. Now learn what your elk do in that area. Where do they feed, breed, bed, and drink? The best way again to learn these things are by having boots on the ground and observing them.
Once you learn what your elk do you can figure out how to hunt them. A few tactics would be: cutting them off as they feed to their bedding area, still hunt where they bed, and sitting a blind or tree stand where they drink or feed.
The options are many once you know what your elk do.
Tip #5: Upgrade your gear
As you progress in your archery elk hunting journey, upgrading gear can give you the upper hand on the elk and other hunters.
For example, if you don't have backpacking gear and have to go back to your truck every night, you may be wasting energy and not staying out hunting as long. Or, you may simply be afraid to hunt a great spot that is remote.
Another example would be bailing off the mountain back to your truck when a storm comes in because you don't carry a lightweight tarp or rain gear. Whereas if you had the gear, you could wait out the storm and get back to hunting once the storm passes (the best hunting is always right after a storm).
Dial in your gear and you will up your chances at tagging out. It's that simple!
Erik's Archery Gear List
Below is an exhaustive list of what Erik packs away on his archery elk hunt.
