{"id":706,"date":"2020-06-11T19:58:50","date_gmt":"2020-06-11T19:58:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=706"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:37:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:37:22","slug":"elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/","title":{"rendered":"Reasons to go Elk Hunting This Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_713\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-713\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-713 size-medium\" title=\"Reasons to go Elk Hunting This Year\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Blog-Image-Reason-for-Elk-Hunting-300x200.png\" alt=\"Reasons to go Elk Hunting This Year\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/06\/Blog-Image-Reason-for-Elk-Hunting-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/06\/Blog-Image-Reason-for-Elk-Hunting-450x300.png 450w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/06\/Blog-Image-Reason-for-Elk-Hunting-150x100.png 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/06\/Blog-Image-Reason-for-Elk-Hunting.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-713\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Reasons to go Elk <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-legend-of-the-winchester-model-70\/\">Hunting<\/a> This Year<\/figcaption><\/figure><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#Reasons_to_go_Elk_Hunting_This_Year\" >Reasons to go Elk Hunting This Year<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#WHERE_TO_GO\" >WHERE TO GO<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#Colorado\" >Colorado<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#Idaho\" >Idaho<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#Utah\" >Utah<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#HOW_TO_HUNT_Elk_Hunting\" >HOW TO HUNT\u00a0 Elk Hunting<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#Scouting\" >Scouting<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#Hunting_the_Archery_Season\" >Hunting the Archery Season<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#Hunting_the_Rifle_Seasons\" >Hunting the Rifle Seasons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#WHAT_TO_PACK\" >WHAT TO PACK<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#Camping\" >Camping<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#Eating_and_Drinking\" >Eating and Drinking<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#PREPARATION\" >PREPARATION<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#QUARTERING_AND_PACKING_OUT_AN_ELK\" >QUARTERING AND PACKING OUT AN ELK<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#GETTING_MEAT_HOME_FROM_THE_HUNT\" >GETTING MEAT HOME FROM THE HUNT<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/#WHY_GO_ELK_HUNTING\" >WHY GO ELK HUNTING<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reasons_to_go_Elk_Hunting_This_Year\"><\/span>Reasons to go Elk Hunting This Year<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Reasons to go <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/glassing-for-elk-high-vantage-points\/\">Elk Hunting<\/a> This Year. Even if you didn\u2019t draw a tag, there are still plenty of reasons to go elk <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"hunting\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"307\">hunting<\/a> this fall.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Fall is just around the corner. And as draw results trickle in for elk hunting in the western states, there is always a large contingent who, year after year, don\u2019t get the unit they applied for. This isn\u2019t necessarily a bad thing because your preference points are sure to yield you a much sought-after area to <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/elk-hunting-tips-for-beginners\/\" title=\"Elk Hunting Tips for Beginners\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1115\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt<\/a> in the years to come. However, and a very fortunate thing it is for elk hunters everywhere, we can happily rely on over-the-counter (OTC) tags in many states that allow residents and non-residents alike to chase the mighty wapiti with bow and gun.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">First, let\u2019s consider where we want to go. What season will we <a title=\"Choosing a Youth Hunting Rifle\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/choosing-a-youth-hunting-rifle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">choose to hunt<\/a> &#8211; archery, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/videosview\/toric-2-5-15x44-sfp-turret-reset-to-zero\/\">rifle<\/a>? Then comes the hours of scouring the internet for every tidbit of information you can find, including where to go, <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/videos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"how to\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"372\">how to<\/a> get there, what to pack, tips and tactics to increase the chances of success, as well as rules and regulations.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">There\u2019s a whole lot of work to put in and it starts now. And to be honest, the preparation can be one of the most fun parts of the whole adventure. Just the other night I woke with a start at 3 a.m. after dreaming about an encounter with a big bull elk. I immediately got up, made coffee, and started reading about elk hunting. Just the thought of getting into the mountains, to experience the great <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/avoiding-ticks-while-hunting\/\">outdoors<\/a>, fuels my dreams and keeps me counting down the days until fall arrives.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WHERE_TO_GO\"><\/span>WHERE TO GO<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">For the sake of this article, we\u2019re going to focus on a few of our favorite western states where we know the hunting is good. Of course, good is a relative term that means different things to different people. What we mean by good is that you\u2019re pretty much guaranteed a tag to hunt a wilderness area where you and your hunting party won\u2019t see very many people, all the while having a decent chance at harvesting a bull.<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Colorado\"><\/span>Colorado<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">One of our favorite states to hunt in, Colorado is home to the largest elk herd in the United States at around 250,000 animals. OTC tags are super accessible and therefore easy to get. The downside is higher hunting pressure, but for those who are prepared to go far off the beaten path, the reward can also be high.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Bowhunters should check out Unit 13 in the northwestern part of the state where the success rate is good year after year. The hunting pressure is fairly steady, so mark a few places on the map where the majority of those hunters aren\u2019t likely to go and set your sights there. Unit 70 is another stout option, where bowhunting success of the last several years has hovered around 17%. For more information on rules and regulations, check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/cpw.state.co.us\/learn\/Pages\/BigGameLicenseOptions.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Colorado Parks &#038; Wildlife website.<\/a><\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Idaho\"><\/span>Idaho<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">The Gem State is another accessible option. While the elk population is not quite what it is in Colorado, this also means that hunters are fewer. If you\u2019re willing to put in the work to get as far away from roads as possible, you could hunt Idaho for weeks and not see another soul outside your own party. In fact, the statewide success rate is about 20-25% due in part to the low number of hunters.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Unit 66A is a surprisingly solid choice when you\u2019re deciding where to hunt elk in Idaho this fall. We say \u201csurprisingly\u201d because annually it sees a fair number of nonresident hunters and it home to a large wolf population. However, this unit is more than 170,000 acres, most of which is forest, that produces some of the largest bulls in the state. Heads up, you may go for days without so much as seeing sign only to stumble upon a herd with a Boone &#038; Crockett bull. The <a href=\"https:\/\/idfg.idaho.gov\/rules\/big-game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Idaho Department of Fish &#038; Game website<\/a> is where you can find more information regarding rules and regulations.<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Utah\"><\/span>Utah<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Utah, widely known for its monster mule deer bucks, is also a great elk hunting state. Utah\u2019s OTC tags are available on a first come, first serve basis. While the rifle seasons are a little more restrictive on where you can <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/reloading-rifle-ammo-for-beginners\/\" title=\"Reloading Rifle Ammo for Beginners\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1832\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt<\/a>, and have a cap on the number of permits issued annually, the archery season gives hunters more freedom to move between units and tags are unlimited.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Utah boasts more than eight million acres of U.S. Forest Service land, almost 23 million acres of BLM, and nearly 4 million acres of open state land. That\u2019s a lot of land to hunt! Focus on the Wasatch and Uinta Mountain ranges, which is the state\u2019s main elk habitat. A couple things to know about Utah is that not many people hunt public land, and those that do don\u2019t get very far from the road. So, hike hard and you could be rewarded. For more information on general guidelines, check out their <a href=\"https:\/\/wildlife.utah.gov\/guidebooks\/2020_field_regs.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook<\/a>.<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_894\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-894\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-894\" title=\"Reasons to go Elk Hunting This Year\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/young-bull-elk-1200.jpg\" alt=\"Our Favorite Rimfire Rifles\" width=\"720\" height=\"377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/06\/young-bull-elk-1200.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/06\/young-bull-elk-1200-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/06\/young-bull-elk-1200-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/06\/young-bull-elk-1200-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/06\/young-bull-elk-1200-573x300.jpg 573w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/06\/young-bull-elk-1200-150x79.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-894\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Seeing bulls like this make elk hunting an adrenaline-induced experience.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"HOW_TO_HUNT_Elk_Hunting\"><\/span>HOW TO HUNT\u00a0 Elk Hunting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\">You can hunt elk with bow and arrow, muzzleloader, or a rifle. Between archery and rifle, there are pros and cons to each, which we\u2019ll talk about. Let\u2019s begin with what most hunters will tell you is the reason they\u2019re successful year after year: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/shed-hunting-with-a-binocular\/\">scouting<\/a>.<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scouting\"><\/span>Scouting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">This is without a doubt the toughest aspect of elk hunting. That\u2019s because most non-resident hunters don\u2019t have the time to travel to Colorado, Utah, or some other western state to spend a week in the summer scouting for elk. With work, family, little league, and life in general, scouting is pushed until the few days before the season begins, at most. But maybe there\u2019s a way to circumvent the frustrations of showing up to a new area and leaving empty handed, though this plan will take patience.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Consider this a four-year plan, where year one you select a unit in say Colorado that you know holds a lot of bulls. You\u2019ve never been there and have only used Google Maps or some other topographical map to see the lay of the land. Use that first year to cover as much ground as possible in hopes of determining prime bedding and feeding areas. You\u2019ll spend the majority of your time sitting and glassing distant hillsides, especially at first and last light, the cooler times of day, when these big animals tend to move.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">The second year you\u2019ll hone in a bit more, same with the third. At any time you may stumble upon a shooter at and spend the rest of the week packing out meat. But in the likelihood that you don\u2019t, at least by that fourth year, you\u2019ll know exactly where to set up camp and focus your hunting efforts every day. If you have the patience to see it through, you could find yourself a hot spot that yields good bulls and a bounty of meat for many years to come.<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hunting_the_Archery_Season\"><\/span>Hunting the Archery Season<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Days in the mountains and nights beneath the stars with some of your closest companions is a great thing. So it\u2019s hard to talk about downsides when it comes to hunting. Please know that we\u2019re only speaking in general terms.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">In several states, the archery season begins in mid August, when it\u2019s still pretty hot, even at high elevations. You\u2019re going to have to get into the high country where the elk will be this time of year. The fastest and most efficient way to get there is by packing in with horse and mule. Or, like an Everest expedition, you can also shoulder the load and work your way to the top on foot. If you\u2019re choosing the latter option, give yourself a few extra days on each end of the trip to hike in and in the case that you harvest an elk, pack it out.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">As you may well know, <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/prepping-your-scope-for-long-range-hunting\/\" title=\"Long Range Hunting Prepping Your Scope\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1514\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting with a bow and arrow decreases your kill range<\/a>. In other words, you\u2019re going to have to pull that bull to within 40 yards to make a clean shot. The upside is that bulls are really aggressive and responsive to calls and scents this time of year as they\u2019re trying to build a harem of cows and ward off any intruding bulls. Consider using a decoy to add a visual element to your setup and increase the enticement to any bull who\u2019s looking for the source of your cow calls.<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hunting_the_Rifle_Seasons\"><\/span>Hunting the Rifle Seasons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">There could be multiple <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/versatility-of-the-tract-bino-chest-pak\/\" title=\"Versatility of the TRACT Bino Chest Pak\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1619\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle seasons in the state you wish to hunt<\/a>. In Colorado, for example, there are three, which range from mid October to late November. By the time rifle seasons roll around, elk have some hunting pressure on them. Bulls have largely built their harems though the chance of drawing one in via calls is pretty good. Most bulls are so eager to continue breeding that they\u2019ll continue searching for cows in estrus, especially during the first rifle season.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Herds have moved to lower elevations as well during the rifle seasons. Fall weather has cooled temperatures and food sources become scarce in the high country. This forces them to inhabitat the dark timber and vast meadows and if you\u2019re in an agricultural area, fields where winter crops are coming up.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><a title=\"Why the 2.5-15x Rifle Scope is Ideal for Hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/why-the-2-5-15x-rifle-scope-is-ideal-for-hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hunting pressure will be up a bit during the rifle<\/a> season as well. So no matter where you are, be sure to wear hunter orange at all times.<\/p><h1 style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/h1><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WHAT_TO_PACK\"><\/span>WHAT TO PACK<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Do-it-yourself elk <a title=\"18 Turkey Hunting Gear Essentials\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/18-turkey-hunting-gear-essentials\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting adventures require a bit of gear<\/a> because you\u2019re hunting, camping, and hiking. The trick is figuring out how to minimize all the stuff required to live comfortably in the mountains for a week or so.<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Camping\"><\/span>Camping<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Yes, your <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/illuminated-reticle-battery-installation-2\/\" title=\"Illuminated Reticle battery installation on your TRACT TORIC 34MM 4-25X50\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"505\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting gear<\/a> is extremely important. But the way you use it could be negatively affected if you\u2019re not sleeping and eating well. First thing you want to invest in is a good tent, a refuge to escape inclement weather. Good one- and two-man tents weigh only a few pounds and are very affordable from companies like REI. Be sure to add a rain fly if for whatever reasons it doesn\u2019t already come included.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Next is your sleeping pad. It really works in tandem with your sleeping bag though the pad\u2019s quality is going to be the difference between a good and bad night\u2019s sleep. Make sure the pad is at least the length of your body and thick enough so you don\u2019t feel anything underneath. The last thing you want to do is toss and turn all night.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Of course your sleeping bag is what will do the most to <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/how-to-keep-your-feet-warm-in-winter\/\" title=\"How to Keep Your Feet Warm in Winter\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1178\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">keep you warm<\/a> on cold nights. Depending on what time of year you\u2019re there, consider anywhere from a 0- to a 30-degree rated bag. They too should pack small and not take up an extraordinary amount of room in your pack.<br \/>Hiking sticks are worth considering as well as they will factor largely into your overall comfort because of the amount of pressure they take off your legs. One is fine but two is optimal. When you\u2019re packing in, with 40-50 pounds of gear on your back, hiking sticks will make a huge difference and help your body endure more throughout the week.<\/p><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eating_and_Drinking\"><\/span>Eating and Drinking<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Must. Have. Energy. Go ahead and overestimate the amount of food you think you\u2019ll eat. You\u2019re going to trek up and down the mountain day in and day out in all kinds of weather conditions. There\u2019s not much better than a hot meal after a physically exhausting day.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">With nothing more than a Jetboil, isopropane, spork, some water, and a little company called Mountain House, you can eat really well in the mountains. As far as freeze-dried food goes, Mountain House is the best &#8211; mix with hot water and voila your meal is ready. The options they\u2019ve devised make it seem like you\u2019re eating in a restaurant. This is a go-to option for backcountry hunters who require sustenance that doesn\u2019t take up a lot of space. Energy bars are great snacks to have throughout the day.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Don\u2019t forget your water filtration system. Hopefully you\u2019ve planned a camp near water. You\u2019ll also find that there are many creeks in the backcountry you may not have seen on a map. Iodine tablets work well too, though we rely on a filter from MSR that\u2019s compatible with Nalgene bottles. It screws to the top of the bottle while you quickly pump in drinkable water.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Instant coffee is a must as well. NesCafe is a good option that requires a little hot water to create a solid cup of joe to start the day. You can find little individual packs that weigh next to nothing.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">The bonus to eating well in the mountains is if you kill an elk. Pack a little salt just in case. There are numerous ways for the minimalist\u2019s approach to cooking elk meat in the mountains, the most common of which is to devise a spit to roast it over the fire.<\/p><h1 style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/h1><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PREPARATION\"><\/span>PREPARATION<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">We\u2019ve talked about scouting, but something else we need to mention is the preparation of overall physical and mental conditioning. They go hand in hand. Mental toughness does you no good without the physical stamina to endure the rugged terrain of the mountains. Same with the physical. If you\u2019re deterred by a little bit of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/rifle-scopes-and-extremely-cold-weather\/\" title=\"Rifle Scopes and Extremely Cold Weather\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1597\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cold or rainy weather<\/a> and confine yourself to camp, then it doesn\u2019t matter how good of physical shape you\u2019re in.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Start as soon as possible by hiking your local trails. Increase your distance and elevation gain as you start to feel your lungs and legs get stronger. Then, start carrying a pack, working your way up to more weight than you\u2019ll carry in. The reason more is better is because there\u2019s a chance you don\u2019t live at the altitude you\u2019ll be hunting. And while there\u2019s no substitute for altitude, the extra weight will help build more muscle mass in your body. The physically fit tend to recover much more quickly than those who get winded easily.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Practice every day with your bow or rifle. Imagine scenarios and see them through as if you\u2019re already in the elk woods, <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/riflemarksmanship-supported-shooting-positions\/\" title=\"Rifle Marksmanship Supported Shooting Positions\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1731\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting from every position<\/a> that\u2019s safely possible. Carry your bow or <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/setting-up-your-tract-optics-bino-chest-pak\/\" title=\"Setting up your TRACT Optics Bino Chest Pak\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1655\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle<\/a> with you on your hikes as well and have targets set up along the way. Better yet, have your partner set them up so you don\u2019t know when they\u2019ll appear. This will help you stay alert and avoid the element of surprise that spoils so many elk hunts. Another factor to master is breathing. If you can control your breathing when it is time to take the shot, the margin of error is much, much smaller.<\/p><h1 style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/h1><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"QUARTERING_AND_PACKING_OUT_AN_ELK\"><\/span>QUARTERING AND PACKING OUT AN ELK<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">If you can quarter a deer, then you can quarter an elk. It\u2019ll just be a lot more weight and you\u2019re going to carry it much further without the help of an ATV or pickup truck.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">If you can, carry more than one knife and definitely have a sharpener because the tough hide of an elk will quickly leave you with a dull blade. Start skinning on the back. Unlike a deer, you don\u2019t need to gut an elk. It\u2019s a lot of unnecessary work. Work your way along the spine from tail to the base of the neck; the latter is an important stopping point if you\u2019re saving the cape for mounting.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Then, like you would any other animal, take off the hams, then the backstraps. Now, I know what you\u2019re thinking, \u201cHow can I get the tenderloins if I don\u2019t gut this animal?\u201d Go through the ribs. Using a combination of your fingers and your knife, you can work the tenderloin away from the bone and pull it through the rib cage. Cut off the shoulders and as much neck meat as you can. Finally, remove the head and cape.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Meat should be stored in something similar to a cheesecloth as you\u2019re moving it back to camp. A gauze-like material will keep dirt off the meat while soaking up the blood. It will also help keep any water or humidity off the meat which could draw flies and maggots.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">There are a variety of great packs with built in \u201cmeat shelves\u201d to help you load up and lug out your meat. These packs will evenly disperse the weight between your lumbar and shoulders, just like a good hiking pack. Depending on how many you have in your hunting party, you may have to make multiple trips. If so, move the meat and the cape away from the carcass and hang them in a tree. The ethically correct order of packing is meat first, antlers last. Start with the hams since they are the heaviest.<\/p><h1 style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/h1><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"GETTING_MEAT_HOME_FROM_THE_HUNT\"><\/span>GETTING MEAT HOME FROM THE HUNT<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Unless you\u2019re hunting with a guide or outfitter, chances are you\u2019re driving to the elk woods. While a cross-country trek takes a lot of time, it\u2019s worth it to not only have your vehicle as a mode of transportation while you\u2019re out there, but also to get meat home from the hunt. Double roto-molded coolers have made it a lot easier to prevent thaw than the old ice chests of yesteryear. With several coolers, you can evenly divide the meat and pack in dry ice. It will last for several days and keep your meat safe. Plus, you can buy more on the trip home.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Some serious DIY elk hunters will even buy a portable freezer to haul in the beds of their trucks. You know, just like the ones you\u2019d have at home, except this one plugs into your vehicle and can stow the majority of your meat for safe transport.<\/p><h1 style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/h1><h3 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WHY_GO_ELK_HUNTING\"><\/span>WHY GO ELK HUNTING<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Last fall, a good friend of ours named Michael Turbyfill, along with his wife, spent most of the Colorado archery season hunting elk in the rugged southern Rocky Mountains. They drove from North Carolina, spent a few days scouting, and then set their sights on a some areas they knew held elk. After many days and nights, they went home empty handed. Such is hunting.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">Despite their unpunched tags, the duo gained a wealth of knowledge and overall life experience. They saw several great bulls, witnessed some epic sunrises and landscapes, and had the opportunity to spend a lot of quality time together. The Turbyfills also did a fantastic job of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tract_optics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">documenting the entire process<\/a> from preparation leading up to the trip to the hunt itself.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">So why go elk hunting? Because it will give you the opportunity to explore and live in the natural world like you may not otherwise experience it. It\u2019s about time with friends and family in the remote reaches of this country where not very many men and women have set foot. National forest, BLM, all public land, it\u2019s yours to enjoy. And after the crazy year we\u2019ve had so far, it\u2019d do everybody some good to disconnect and instead let the mind wonder what\u2019s in that draw over the next hill. You never know, when you get there, it could be a bull that is this time next year hanging on our wall and feeding your family.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reasons to go Elk Hunting This Year | TRACT design and engineer performance-grade optics without the added retail costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12183,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2255,2258,2259,2273],"tags":[2560,2613,2743,2797,2812,2813,2844,2845,2846,2847,2848,2849,2852,2854,2874,3325,3336],"class_list":["post-706","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-extra-topics","category-hunting","category-hunting-rifle-scope","category-tractoptics","tag-colorado","tag-elk-hunting","tag-how-to-elk-hunt","tag-hunting","tag-hunting-calibers","tag-hunting-calibers-for-deer","tag-hunting-rifle-caliber","tag-hunting-rifle-caliber-chart","tag-hunting-rifle-caliber-for-deer","tag-hunting-rifle-calibers","tag-hunting-rifle-calibers-by-size","tag-hunting-rifle-rounds","tag-hunting-rifle-sizes","tag-hunting-rifles","tag-idaho","tag-utah","tag-where-to-go-elk-hunting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/706","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=706"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/706\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11462,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/706\/revisions\/11462"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12183"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=706"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=706"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}