New elk hunter - where to start?

[Ninjahunter]

Boots, good pair of boots makes a big difference, have them broken in before hand.

 

[Indian Summer]

Bow? Gun? What state?

 

[kaaby]

E-scouting and boots on the ground scouting are extremely helpful. It’s also really beneficial to talk to previous tag holders after completing 10+ hours of e-scouting so you will understand what they are talking about.


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[Trekker308]

MTNTOUGH has membership sales all the time, sometime up to 60%. You can also get 6 weeks free by using a lot of influencer promos. They have guided programs for all fitness levels. Their programs are specific to mountain hunting and staying injury free. Not to mention the programs for backcountry nutrition, spiritual resilience, and a supporting community app.

 

[joshdeboer]

Bow? Gun? What state?

Focussing on gun this year, in Western Montana.

 

[deef56]

Do some research and forum'ing on water at elevation bands and areas you are looking at. OnX and any other mapping service will show possible drainages but most of them will be dry. So mark areas of known water, areas of possible water, and have backup plans if you get 1000' above a drainage and there is no water. I have been in Western MT and North/Central Colorado and have had to go to plan B or plan C on camp/hunt locations just based on water availability during that time of year.

 

[Blake C]

Shoot, shoot, shoot....
Get proficient within 500yds in any position. If you can't shoot with confidence then the rest doesn't matter.

 

[deef56]

Also, if not local to the hunting area. Call ahead or do some research week of on road access to the areas you are going if any are higher elevation, back country, or near areas getting heavy rainfall... Have had spring bear hunts go sideways because of one snow bank on a north facing road and have had elk hunts altered due to road wash outs week before season. Nothing like spending lots of time focusing on one area to not be able to access that area because of the roads.

 

[Jon Olson]

My best tips are:

• Focus on north and northeast slopes where it is cooler and more moist. Never seen elk on south slopes unless it's Nov after one snow event
• Lots of elk 1/2 mile to 3/4 mile from roads during archery season where I'm at. Some forest roads close in Oct and those are good ones to walk and hunt off of
• Be up and hiking towards and be close to your goal area by first light. SO much elk action is that first hour of sunlight and then they are bedded. Same with last hour in evening
• If you go on walks, hikes or rucks then wear the same shoes/boots you plan on hunting in. I made that mistake wearing the most comfortable Brooks running shoes on my rucks only to hate life during hunting season in my boots. I now hunt/walk in Altras which are soft/comfortable like Merrills
• Walking/hiking hilly terrain is the most realistic way to prepare to hunt in... the mountains