Elk the “Golden Goose”?

[D_wit22]

So let me say right off the bat, I am not an expert elk hunter! But I’d like to ask a basic question. Of all the animals in North America, why does it feel like Elk is the ultimate hunt to test how good of a hunter you are? I think of all the other animals that we hunt here in the USA. Most times you just plan your hunt, and go for it. But for some reason Elk hunting has this extra level of attention on it. Like deer hunting….you find areas that have deer, you look for deer, and you kill deer. Seems simple right? But for Elk, it seems that same formula is not followed. And why is that? Go look for elk, find elk, kill elk. It should be that simple right? But instead we spend hours and hours online trying to “kill” elk? I’m getting long winded now…but do you guys agree that elk hunting is viewed differently? And what do you think is driving the “golden goose” feel ?

 

[Mr.Ktm]

I like hunting mule deer but there is something to be said about listening to bulls bugle all night, then if you’re lucky having one bugle in your face is next level. Gets the blood flowing

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I go drive around and shoot elk
Easiest animal to hunt as far as I am concerned

 

[Choupique]

go drive around and shoot elk
Easiest animal to hunt

I suck at hunting

 

[LongWayAround]

Easy... Elk are smarter and taste better.

 

[Laramie]

So let me say right off the bat, I am not an expert elk hunter! But I’d like to ask a basic question. Of all the animals in North America, why does it feel like Elk is the ultimate hunt to test how good of a hunter you are? I think of all the other animals that we hunt here in the USA. Most times you just plan your hunt, and go for it. But for some reason Elk hunting has this extra level of attention on it. Like deer hunting….you find areas that have deer, you look for deer, and you kill deer. Seems simple right? But for Elk, it seems that same formula is not followed. And why is that? Go look for elk, find elk, kill elk. It should be that simple right? But instead we spend hours and hours online trying to “kill” elk? I’m getting long winded now…but do you guys agree that elk hunting is viewed differently? And what do you think is driving the “golden goose” feel ?

Elk hunting is different, and more difficult, than most other species. I have guided and hunted elk since the 80s. Out of the species I have hunted, there is really nothing that compares for me. Possibly because no matter how much experience you have, they are still challenging.

Now if you draw a great limited quota area, it can be borderline easy. I'm talking about general area, over the counter, hunting elk.

 

[Ross]

There is so much more to elk, than deer. Their size, the work to process them and get them home, their smell, BUGLE, the country, they eat much better, their rubs, the wallows, their smell, their stature, their stealth for their size, the racket running when they smell you and their regalness

 

[North of 60]

From my perspective it probably has more to do with herd size/access/pressure that can pretty much apply across critters...meaning other species with specific conditions may be as, or more challenging, to hunt than elk.

If the frame of reference is easy whitetail hunting, i can see the reasons it would seem kind of golden goose. And maybe more so for southern/eastern hunters traveling out west to hunt may make it more special since it is less common than for folks living out west.

All that said glassing and stalking elk is great fun.

 

[Indian Summer]

Because it doesn’t matter how prepared you are physically, elk will still kick your a$$. That’s because more than any other hunt in the lower 48 it is as much, or probably more mental than it is physical. If your mindset starts to deteriorate you are doomed. If your partner’s mindset starts going downhill you could be doomed. Your mind drives your body so even though some guys think they couldn’t hack it physically the truth is their mental game is what came up short. I’ve seen guys who were beasts crash and burn bad. And old dudes grind it out to the end.

Why do guys crumble? Because they are out of their element. Learning to hunt a new animal in new and rugged country. Dealing with all new scenery. Hills and vast areas bigger than they have ever seen. High elevations. Fear. Fear of getting hurt, bears, lions, weather, getting lost… of not killing an elk.

Being a really good deer hunter and not seeing a live animal for days means second guessing. Does my area suck? Do I suck? What am I doing wrong? Should I relocate? This isn’t like tv. Where the hell are they? Will I ever figure this out? WTF was I thinking! lol

Not one of those things crosses your mind when you are in your comfort zone. Deer hunters don’t think those thoughts even if they are hunting away from home.

It’s a lot to bite off and chew for new guys. With licenses being hard to draw and the cost of a hunt there is some pressure.

All that crap means you best be in shape mentally pilgrim! Lol

One piece of advice I’d give to a FNG is get 1 rock solid partner. I think that is the biggest asset when it comes to your mental game. Number 2 suggestion is if you’ve never even seen the mountains go there in the summer just for a fun learning experience. Mid September if you’d like to subject yourself to some not so summery weather and maybe hear some bugles. Hike and drop waypoints. That way it won’t seem like such a foreign land to you and you’ll be much more at ease when you come back to hunt.