Elk-on-Your-Own is Easier Than You May Think

Western public land hunting is dramatically different than the East.  Once you draw a coveted elk tag, you will find uncrowded hunting conditions if you are willing to walk or drive to remote locations.  Last year, while hunting in the same drainage where I killed the 6X6 bull shown above, Assistant Bowhunting. Com Editor Zachary Willems took this mature cow on the second day of the hunt.

Second Day Success

“I spotted elk the first morning of the hunt and headed up the mountain,” said the 17-year-old Idaho resident.  “My breather and I chased after the herd but couldn’t catch up.  I saw a bull cross the canyon and tried to get in front of it. Suddenly, a large cow came walking by and I was so excited that I ranged it, drew and released without an arrow on the string.  Hunting elk is just so exciting!  Luckily, my bow was OK, but the peep sight flew off and I spent the afternoon getting it fixed.”

First, Find the Elk

In early season, elk often feed at or above timberline and Willems used a spotting scope to locate a distant herd and then planned his approach.  State wildlife agencies keep detailed records of elk populations and a call or a visit to their website can reveal which areas have the most elk along with harvest records to finalize your decision.

Drive-to Camps are Possible.

Because elk tags are limited, it’s often possible to drive into a national forest and camp with your vehicle.  Most public land in the West is under fire danger such that many public tracts have an extensive road system complete with signage to direct emergency services.  With forest service maps or today’s hunting apps, finding a camping spot is easy and you may hear elk bugling from your base camp.

Hunt Up, Pack Down

Once you are successful, gravity won’t be your friend with at least 200 pounds of meat and antlers to pack out.  You will probably be at least a mile above sea level, maybe two, and you must consider the pack-out as part of any hunting strategy.  Willems’ brother lived a few hours away and while he butchered the elk, his brother drove from Montana and helped with the pack-out.

Use Hunting Apps for Navigation and Boundaries

Getting lost in the mountains is serious business and can ruin the hunt for you and your friends.  Luckily, today’s hunting apps have extensive mapping and location systems that load onto a smart phone.  Use them to establish boundaries, plan hunting access, and exits.  If you hunt along the border of private property, you will know the boundaries and who owns the land. 

Get in Shape

Last year I climbed for two hours to reach the Continental Divide.  I’m pointing to Montana from Idaho, an indication that any person with the right conditioning can hunt elk.  You can’t condition for altitude, but you can jog or walk for miles each day wearing hunting gear and a pack as the hunt draws near.  A prime benefit of an adventure hunt is the motivation to better your physical fitness.  It matters, especially in the mountains.

Include Your Friends

Organizing a hunt with friends will dramatically increase your enjoyment and motivation.  My father headed an elk camp in Colorado for nearly two decades and we rarely spoke to one another without talking “the hunt.” Including friends will transform the week in the mountains to a 365-day activity and dramatically increases your enthusiasm.  Additionally, when successful, a team approach to pack out can be critical.

You can do this.  Make a plan and share your photos with us.  Best of luck, Joe Byers, Editor