Archery elk hunting is the ultimate western outdoor experience. I still remember the excitement and mystery of hearing my first elk bugle in the mountains of Colorado as a young boy. That eerie bugle hooked me into a lifetime pursuit of the mighty Rocky Mountain elk. Archery elk hunting is a skill that takes practice, persistence, instinct, and often luck. Here are what I believe are five essentials for bowhunting success:
1. You can’t hunt what isn’t there. My dad told me as a young boy that you must hunt where the elk are. This is the most basic and most important rule in any type of hunting. Do your homework before hunting season to ensure you’re in an area or on a ranch where elk are present during archery season. Elk and people don’t mix well, so being where the elk are often means getting away from people.
2. Play the wind. You will never kill an elk with a bow if it smells you. Always hunt with the prevailing wind in your face. Often, elk can see and hear you without fleeing; however, if they smell you, it’s over.
3. Practice your craft. Before ever attempting to bow hunt elk, you need to shoot a bow accurately from multiple positions and distances. Practice shooting while breathing hard, from your knees, through heavy timber, and from challenging angles and distances.
4. Be in shape. Chasing elk with a bow is one of the most physically demanding types of hunting there is. If you want to be a serious bowhunter, you need to prioritize diet and exercise. Most casual elk hunters are willing and able to hike 1-2 miles from a public road. For bowhunters willing to venture 2+ miles from the nearest public access point, chances of success increase substantially. Fitness is especially important for success in over-the-counter or high-pressure public hunting units. The hunter able to go where others can’t often finds the elk!
5. Know how to create a shot. Rarely will you have a shot opportunity that you don’t have to create. Study elk behavior, and know when to move, when to draw, and most importantly, how to control your nerves to deliver an ethical and lethal shot. In addition to watching bowhunting videos and being around elk, visualization during practice can be a great way to simulate different scenarios and shot opportunities.
These key principles highlight what I believe to be the five essentials to successfully taking an elk with a bow. As always, feel free to contact Harrigan Land Company to learn more about hunting ranches for sale in the American West.
