Less strenuous Elk Hunt

[Healthy Scratch]

I hunt elk with (2) buddies on a 3-4 year basis. 2-of us have done very well. The 3rd guy is physically limited and has not gotten an elk (yet). Are there any hunts that are less physically taxing? He would need flatter ground. I've heard that late season cow hunts might work for him. Any suggestions? (We are just trying to get him on the scoreboard.)

 

[voltage]

He sounds like an ideal client for a ranch hunt.

 

[TradLife406]

Friggin I want a less strenuous elk hunt too!!!

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Barring a physical disability... generally the response I have to rough hunting conditions is to work harder in the offseason. I'd rather help my friend get healthier than lower the bar. But if it's an insurmountable health obstacle you're gonna have to think outside the box. Everyone wants an easier hunt, so anything that looks like it's good elk habitat and easy hunting is gonna get hit hard.

Instead look for unorthodox territory and scout hard. First thing that comes to mind is I've cut big elk tracks in sasgebrush country while hunting an area mostly known for mule deer.

 

[Steve300xcw]

An actual hunt or a meat shoot?

 

[Ross]

Unless there is a physical limitation or disability, elk hunting is supposed to be work. As noted above, there are options for meat shoots, otherwise there is 9 months to get prepared and work for it. As with many strenuous endeavors, effort = reward, in some form or another.

 

[Scottf270]

There are several ranch hunts in New Mexico I've seen advertised as flat terrain and less strenuous. Just gotta search and be honest with the outfitter.

 

[Healthy Scratch]

An actual hunt or a meat shoot?

An actual hunt. I have nothing against high-fence stuff but, that's not what we are into. Our past hunts were more on the 'hilly' side and my friend has pretty bad knees. He would take a day off after a strenuous day and toward the end of the hunts, his pace would be markedly slower. He does walks quite a bit but, we are from Michigan so, it's pretty level ground stuff and he's in his late 60's (definitely not running any marathons). I think I'm going to look into a ranch hunt thru an outfitter. I'd really like to see him get one before he gives up on it. Thank you everyone for your input.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Selway.. easy breezy....

 

[willfrye027]

I’m 34 and I want an easier elk hunt too.

Currently saving my points in a few states to cash in someday on a really good road hunt for rag horns. Maybe if he’s got some points saved up somewhere for a limited entry hunt?

 

[WeiserBucks]

Selway.. easy breezy....

Loading my wheelchair for 2026

 

[TaperPin]

An actual hunt. I have nothing against high-fence stuff but, that's not what we are into. Our past hunts were more on the 'hilly' side and my friend has pretty bad knees. He would take a day off after a strenuous day and toward the end of the hunts, his pace would be markedly slower. He does walks quite a bit but, we are from Michigan so, it's pretty level ground stuff and he's in his late 60's (definitely not running any marathons). I think I'm going to look into a ranch hunt thru an outfitter. I'd really like to see him get one before he gives up on it. Thank you everyone for your input.

Private ranch guided hunts sound like what you want. You can hike over a hill, trot around on a hay burner, drive around on a sxs, or if all that’s too much work there’s always elk hanging around outside the hay stacks.

 

[Goseth04]

The hunt will be different, and that's okay. It might be more about glassing from a ridge road, sitting in a ground blind near an alfalfa field, or slowly still-hunting a flat creek bottom. The camaraderie and the shared goal will make it one of your most memorable hunts, and getting your buddy his first elk will be a victory for the whole crew.

Good luck to all three of you.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Selway.. easy breezy....

Now thats funny.

 

[K_pem]

Selway.. easy breezy....

You got a lead on a helicopter hunt or something?

 

[Dave_]

In my experience if you want less strenuous public "habitat" to hunt you need to walk and glass alot more to cover alot ground or maybe get a later season tag. There are always elk in lower, out of the box areas, but not easy to find.

Otherwise you should just sit long hours on water, wallows, travel corridors, escape routes, etc and eventually something will walk by.

I've been trying to do the same for my 74 year old dad. I could get him on elk but he can't go 95% of the places I hunt. He tore a meniscus in his knee helping me pack out a bull in 2019, and all things considered it was an "easy" pack out. He's been saving points but not getting younger. He may end up just doing a guided private.





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[wytx]

Plenty of easy spots, almost any area has a few. Not all elk hang out in the deep and steep.
A late cow hunt could be the ticket but weather can be brutal and access limited due to snow.

 

[roadrunner]

I hunt elk with (2) buddies on a 3-4 year basis. 2-of us have done very well. The 3rd guy is physically limited and has not gotten an elk (yet). Are there any hunts that are less physically taxing? He would need flatter ground. I've heard that late season cow hunts might work for him. Any suggestions? (We are just trying to get him on the scoreboard.)

Jicarilla Apache reservation hunts. You literally road hunt and shoot from the vehicle and then drive up to them.

Can't get much easier than that.

 

[cnelk]

Hell, Ive been hunting elk in less strenuous spots for years. Just gotta find the right spots