Elk

[Seven]

Anyone into hunting Elk. I hunt deer, turkeys, and bears so I thought that I would try out Elk this year for something different and exciting. Any tips?

[Camoguy]

They're pretty much like deer or moose. They just look a bit different. I don't like any type of deer or elk meat so I don't hunt them. I won't kill anything I can't eat.

[Archer]

Unfortunately, elk aren't around anymore in the places I like to hunt. I've seen them before, though, and they're awesomely huge. I have no advice to offer you, but good luck!

[CRhoads]

Hunting elk is very similar to hunting deer. Elk are massive in size when compared to deer. Be sure to keep a keen eye out as elk are very elusive and blend in with their surrounds very well for sure a large animal. Have fun and good luck!

[greensteelforge]

As far as tips go, if you're going to be hunting anywhere you aren't personally familiar with out west, hire a guide, or use a GPS and get in shape. Don't skimp on gun, make sure you're using a cartridge in at least the mid-range for the size game (plenty of people have killed elk with .270's, but ask a guide what they recommend, and what they carry). If you're going to be hunting in the Mountains, familiarize yourself with how your rifle shoots both up, and down hill. Make sure you're ready for both fast, close shots, and well set-up long ones. Bring a good knife, and a sharpening stone (a folding saw can be nice too). Have fun!

[dhoyle]

Well I just finished butchering an elk taken here in Oregon by a friend, he used a Ruger Hawkeye in 338 Fed and still required two rounds. The only thing I would suggest use a premium bullet and make sure of your shot placement. By the way I would rather eat elk over deer any time.

[hunter44mag]

Elk meat is great, better than whitetail. Shot placement is important as is with any game. Do a little online research on any animals vitals before hunting. You could kill one with a 22 in the brain at close range, but most guides I talked with before I went reccomended a bullet of at least 180 grain to make sure to bust the shoulder, if you hit bone.

[Grandpa]

I have killed big elk with a 150 grain .308 but do not recommend it. It takes an extremely well placed shot. But then it takes a well placed shot with a big gun too. The above suggestion of 180 grain is good, as long as the cartridge is big enough to still give good penetration. I would definately go with a mag with the 7mm rem mag as the barest minimum.

[CatsEye]

I don't like elk, deer or moose meat. I just find it too strong for my taste. And since I don't eat them, I don't hunt them anymore. Everyone that eats that type of meat that I know also hunt so I have no one to give it to.

[Kepper]

I've been elk hunting twice and I am heading back this year.

Tips:
-Be in shape. You will have to cover a lot more groung hunting elk tan deer.

-If you are hunting bulls in the rut, it can be more like turkey hunting than deer hunting.

-Pick your weapon and know its limitations. You don't need a cannon to harvest an elk. A .270, .308, and 30-06 will al do just fine. Just don't plan on shooting @250+ yard.

-You don't need a guide, but if you don't have the time to prepare or do research, then you probably should hire a guide. If you shoot one, you will be happy to have a guide. Dead elk are a tremendous amount of work.

Good luck if you give it a try.