Illinois Elk Hunting Tips:
An impressive trophy Rocky Mountain Elk is the dream of
many hunters. Your pro Illinois elk hunting guide usually
lives in and scouts the elk herd in his given area, so they
are the best source for elk hunting insights for a
successful hunt. As grandpa said, PPPPP (Prior
Planning Prevents Poor Performance) These are just
some basic pointers to keep in mind:
- Off season scouting is imperative to a successful
Elk hunt. If you are unable to scout your
hunting area, you may be dependent on your pro hunting
guide to make sure they know the elk herd's feeding
areas, bedding areas and travel routes. Make sure
they have this covered!
- Spot and stalk is usually the method of hunting for
the Rocky Mountain Elk. Spot and stalk hunters
should be in reasonably good physical condition.
Even if you are a fit person, hiking in higher altitudes
can be quite taxing. Prepare for your Elk hunt by getting in peak physical condition, hiking
outside and up an incline if possible. (Check with
your physician before engaging in strenuous exercise).
- Using a Bugle Call or cow call is oftentimes used to
attract the largest bull Elk. Study the most
effective Elk calling techniques used in the area you
plan to hunt. Your pro elk hunting guide should be
able to instruct you in this. If your hunt is
fully guided, your guide may have this detail covered.
When a bull elk bugles, he is advertising for a
sweetheart, not a fight. Sometimes he may bugle if
he has been rejected by a potential mate. And
other times, bulls answer each other, attempting to show
dominance. It may seem that a large bull elk would
sound off with a echoing bugle, but that not ALWAYS the
case. Sometimes larger, older bulls don't sound
the way they look.
- Just as you should be in good physical condition,
your hunting equipment should be also. Put careful
thought into what gear you will need. Start at
your head with proper binoculars and go down to your
feet, considering lightweight and protective footgear.
And remember to be in good practice with your weapon.
Shoot often and from various distances, whether you plan
to use a gun or a bow, so it is like second nature to
you. Traveling with your rifle can effect your
scope and accuracy of your weapon, so sight in and
practice before leaving for your hunt.
- Never hunt alone, especially in unfamiliar
territory. Take a GPS if you have one, but for
backup, take a compass and topo map.
- Drink a lot of water. Not cokes or coffee, but
water.
- A successful Elk hunt starts with daily habits
you may not have thought about. First, address the
phenomenal ability of a Rocky Mountain Elk to 'wind' a
human. NO SMOKING, and some people even avoid coffee
prior to a elk hunt. What are you washing your hunting
clothes in? Is your deodorant scented? Do your hunting
boots, well, smell like hunting boots? What did you eat
for breakfast at camp (Hopefully nobody decided to cook
bacon for breakfast!) Perfumed washing powder, scented
shampoos and soaps can be a killer for your elk hunt. In
addition to covering your scent, there are hundreds of
products designed to attract the elk to your area. Find
out what works best for the time of year you are
planning your hunt. Store you hunting clothes in a
large plastic bag to protect them from camp cooking
odors. Some hunters actually put a small amount of
dirt in the bag, and a few apples, to disguise the
scent.
- Leave the camp early, and stay in the stand late.
Beat the competition to the hunting area, and don't be
in a hurry to get back to camp. The hunters
arriving later than you may serve as a driving force,
moving the elk to your area. Elk travel through
the day, so don't assume they are done moving early.
If they are feeling pressured, the will be traveling to
safety to bed.
- Following the elk rut and before deep snows move
into the high country, look for big bulls up in higher
elevations. A rule of thumb is "the higher the
elevation, the bigger the bull". The reason for this is
that mature bulls are very solitary animals following
the rut and will seek out secluded areas where they can
recover, feed, and be left alone. Younger bull elk are
often found lower down the mountain and may even be
found on the fringe of a herd of cows.
- If it is extremely cold while you are hunting, that
may increase herd movement. The elk require more
food when it is cold, and they will need to move around
to find it.
- Caring for your trophy elk - Your pro guide will be
knowledgeable in this area, but talk to your local
taxidermist about how much cape (hide) you will need if
you plan on mounting your trophy elk. You will
actually need a lot more cape than you think you'll need
to get a full shoulder mount. If you are planning
on tanning the hide, the cuts will be totally different.
Know what you want to do with the elk before you bust
out your knife. Always keep the animal as cool as
possible while transporting. Elk is a healthy and
delicious meat to eat. Check into recipes and
marinating techniques from chefs experienced in how to
properly prepare elk.
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