| Hunting for Elk can be very demanding, especially | | | | is probably no greater challenge than packing up |
| considering the type of terrain that hunts are | | | | and setting off for the backcountry on your |
| typically carried out on. With the right | | | | own. One caveat to this is that you MUST be |
| preparation before-hand you can turn a so-so | | | | prepared and have a working knowledge of |
| hunt into the hunt of a lifetime. The American | | | | wilderness survival if by chance you get lost or |
| West holds some of the most beautiful country in | | | | injured. |
| the United States and for a lot of folks that | | | | The most simple method of hunting for Elk on |
| means mountainous terrain. The very first tip | | | | your own is to pack up a backpack with enough |
| that I can offer to you is to get yourself into | | | | supplies to ensure you have shelter, food and |
| good enough physical condition before considering | | | | most importantly water. The human body can |
| an elk hunt. If you expect a guide to piggy-back | | | | survive for several weeks without food (albeit at |
| you around, you are probably going to be a little | | | | lower performance levels), but if you remove |
| let down when the time comes to start trekking | | | | water from your daily intake, you survival time |
| into the heart of Elk country. Conversely, if you | | | | drops drastically. Make sure you pack light as |
| are hunting public land, the very first thing to | | | | you will have to carry your kit on your back for |
| consider is getting a little background knowledge | | | | extended periods of time. Conversely, you need |
| on the area you are going to be hunting. The | | | | to make sure that all of your needs with regards |
| reason guides are so successful and oft-used is | | | | to clothing (temperatures can swing wildly |
| due to the fact that they live and breathe the | | | | depending on the season), shelter, etc. are |
| land they are responsible for guiding on. Elk | | | | covered. Something that I used to do before |
| guides know the habits of the particular population | | | | going on long outings in the wilderness is to test |
| of animals in their area and play by the rules | | | | out my pack as it will be loaded during a trip. |
| dictated by the Elk. Another variable that makes | | | | Obviously you won’t be carrying your bow or |
| guides so popular is that they know their quarry. | | | | rifle around with you, but a simple test run or two |
| If you want to perform at the level of a guide, | | | | should be sufficient enough to tell you whether |
| you must have background knowledge of Elk | | | | you have packed too heavily. Never sacrifice |
| habits. Armed with this knowledge of territory, | | | | water for items that are not necessary. |
| the typical habits of Elk and being in shape enough | | | | Another suggestion on top of packing an ample |
| to tackle back country, you can become an | | | | supply of water for your trip (several liters for a |
| effective hunter. | | | | day or two trip), is to invest in a water purifier. |
| Choosing a Guide / Outfitter: | | | | There are numerous products out on the market, |
| Hiring an Outfitter or Guide is an excellent way to | | | | but for my money, I went with the Katydyn |
| cut down on the preparation that is typically | | | | Vario Microfilter water purification system. |
| required for a successful Elk hunting trip. Your | | | | Spending money on a good filter / purifier is an |
| guide supplies the brains and you supply the bullet | | | | excellent investment. |
| or arrow. The main drawback to hiring out a | | | | Before setting out, make sure that your trip is |
| guide is cost. Elk hunting is typically not a cheap | | | | planned carefully and that you notify friends or |
| endeavor, but if you want guaranteed results in | | | | family where you are going to be at what time |
| almost every circumstance, a guided trip is the | | | | and when you expect to return. In the event of |
| way to go. | | | | an emergency, people need to know where you |
| Another benefit of hiring an outfitter is that once | | | | are, this greatly increases your survival rate if |
| you put the animal on the ground, they will haul it | | | | something bad should happen. |
| out for you. In addition, a majority of guide | | | | One major advantage of a DIY Elk hunt is that |
| services either offer butchering or have very solid | | | | you set your own pace, allowing you to set up a |
| working relationships with processors due to the | | | | small base camp and branch out from there. |
| amount of business they typically bring in. | | | | Another benefit of packing in yourself is the |
| oogle_ad_client = "pub-5569030158825604"; /* | | | | freedom you have to set up camp wherever you |
| 468x60, created 11/22/09 */ google_ad_slot = | | | | want. If you spot a couple of 6×6 bulls in the |
| "5171795343"; google_ad_width = 468; | | | | distance, you can move camp easily and hopefully |
| google_ad_height = 60; // --> <!-- | | | | set yourself up to take an animal down when the |
| d", google_handleError, google_render_ad); // | | | | time is right. |
| --> | | | | The major challenge despite the obvious physical |
| One of (if not the most) important benefits of | | | | one occurs if and when you take down an Elk. |
| hiring a guide or outfitter is the amount of | | | | If you succeed in your mission you will most likely |
| knowledge you can glean from these men / | | | | need to mark the kill spot, return to your vehicle |
| women. For the most part, guides have spent | | | | to lighten up and then come back for the animal. |
| years upon years perfecting their craft and | | | | It may even take several trips to do so. If you |
| almost all are more than willing to answer | | | | do research beforehand, you may find that an |
| questions and to give insight on animal behavior, | | | | area rancher or land owner has horses on call for |
| etc. | | | | a fee of money or a couple of Elk steaks after all |
| When contracting a guide another perk is that | | | | is said and done. |
| they will typically provide all of the meals as well | | | | One of the most important things you can do |
| as lodging. If you are dragging on a guided trip | | | | before going it alone is to go on a guided trip. |
| the chances are that you will not perform up to | | | | Pick the brain of your guide and get as much |
| snuff and may not get an animal. | | | | information as possible from him or her. This |
| Do-It-Yourself Elk Hunt: | | | | knowledge will prove priceless when in the field |
| If you have the equipment and the stamina, there | | | | and having no one else to rely upon but yourself. |