Ok, I'm going on my first ever Elk hunt this fall in Wyoming. I'll be hunting with a very good friend who's hunted 4 or 5 years in this particular area (I'm not yet precisely sure which); he and his father have taken a couple of cows. He's an instructor for NOLS and is a competent outdoorsman.

My question is, what should I be reading to learn the basics of Elk hunting? I've hunted Whitetails for many years, but think this is a whole different ball game.

As an aside, I've spent three full summers guiding backpacking trips just north of Rocky Mountain National Park, which is to say I'm generally familiar with the geography & weather of the Rockies at 9000 + feet. I know the last week of September will present somewhat different weather patters.

Physically, I'm in generally good shape and will be doing a lot of cardio this summer.

So, what would you recommend in terms of mental preparation?

Many thanks!

friar

You are absolutely correct, hunting o. virginianus and c. elaphus are completely different, I teach hunter safety and get asked this alot so I would recommend a very simple anecdotal book from RMEF entitled "Elk Hunting Secrets"; you can probably find it in any bookstore or on Amazon.com for very cheap. The ISBN is 1560449381.

Good luck!

IV

I suggest a copy of "Elk Hunting In The Northern Rockies," by Ed Wolff. Stoneydale Press Publ. Co., Stevensville, Mont. 59870, 406-777-2729. Also might find it on Amazon.

It's a good, all around book on elk hunting, with many good suggestions. Not very thick, and easy to read. It's a little dated on elk calls mainly having to do with reed calls, but still good.

Best of luck. L.W.

Thanks for the help, fellas! I'll be putting in an order shortly and will post a quick review later.

Many thanks,

friar

Not hunting per se but a great natural history:

Elk Country by Valerius Geist

friar -

the above selections are good, but i would recommend THE ART OF HUNTING BIG GAME IN NORTH AMERICA by jack o'connor. it is full of more real-world practical information than anything else i can think of.

there are other sections such as antelope, sheep, deer and even caribou, but the sections on elk hunting, as well as hunting camp, wilderness and above-the-treeline hunting, rifles and ammunition, optics, and trophy hunting, will all be very relavent, informative and entertaining.

you should be able to pick one up for less than 10$ through amazon's used list.

ANYTHING that Wayne VanZwoll writes is good for the shooting part of things...the man knows of which he speaks!

I would advise watching as many elk hunting videos as you can stand!! That way you will hear the calling and see how elk may react to various shots. You will also get used to seeing elk, which is good to help you visualize your shot. I have one suggestion, be aggressive. Last fall I stalked to within 15-20 yards of bulls every day by locating them and then moving in when they bugled a reply.

Thank everybody! I can never have too many books; your point, Bowhuntrrl is well taken. I've thought a little about bugleing (sp?), and though erring on the side of caution would be my best bet. I certianly wouldn't hesitate, though, to call a little and see how it goes.

Thanks again,

friar

Go to www.elkcamp.com and get Jay Houston's book, Elk Hunting 101 It's a good read, and his site is pretty good too. Good hunting!

DGK

Best bang for the buck and everything you'll ever need to know on the subject:

"Radical Elk Hunting Strategies" by Mike Lapinski.

Cheers,
Canuck

If, you want to delve into Elaphus more scientifically, I suggest "Elk of North America
Ecology and Management", Thomas and Toweill, WMI/Stackpole and "The Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd" Ecology and Management", Houston, MacMillan. These are expensive books and may now be out of print, but, they should be available at your university library and are cutting-edge in their treatment of the subject.

I have the Ed Wolff book, intend to get the Lapinski book and I have met Dr. Geist and I cannot speak too highly of his knowledge, experience and courtesy, anything he writes, I buy, read and keep for future reference.

try this web site


http://members.tripod.com/~elkhunter2/index.html

Again, thanks so much everyone!

Picked up the O'Connor book at a used book store yesterday and have read most of it so far--the guy is an outstanding writer and very helpful.

Am looking forward to the other titles. By the time I've found them all, I'll have a whole section for my library!

Take care, and I'll let you know how it all went come early October.

friar

friar -

glad you like the book so far! i first read it a couple of years ago, and make a point to read it at least once a year, particularly just before hunting season.