The Ultimate Guide to Elk Hunting: Everything You Need to Know for Your First Western Big Game Adventure

The bull announced himself at first light—a primal scream that started low in his chest and climbed through three octaves before breaking into guttural chuckles. The sound echoed off the granite walls of the basin, and somewhere in your lizard brain, a switch flipped. Your hands trembled as you nocked an arrow. Forty yards through the dark timber, you could see his breath steaming in the September cold, his chocolate mane still wet with dew. This is why you drove eighteen hours, hiked six miles in the dark, and spent the last year getting your legs and lungs ready. This is elk hunting.

No pursuit in North American hunting demands more of a hunter—physically, mentally, financially—than chasing elk in the Mountain West. These are 600 to 1,000-pound animals that live in some of the most rugged, oxygen-thin terrain on the continent. They can cover miles of vertical landscape while you're still catching your breath from the last ridge. And yet, every September, thousands of hunters answer the call. Some return with freezers full of the finest wild protein on the planet. Many return with nothing but stories of the ones that got away. Almost all return planning their next trip before they've even unpacked.

Whether you're a seasoned whitetail hunter looking to head west or a complete newcomer dreaming of your first elk adventure, this guide covers everything you need to know—from understanding elk behavior and choosing your hunting state, to the gear that actually matters and the brutal reality of what it costs to put elk meat in your freezer.

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Understanding Elk: Species and Behavior

The Animal

The Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) is the primary subspecies hunted across the western United States. Bulls typically weigh 700-1,100 pounds on the hoof, with mature animals standing five feet at the shoulder. Cows are considerably smaller, averaging 500-600 pounds.

What makes elk hunting unique is the combination of size, wariness, and athleticism. Unlike whitetails that rely on thick cover and short escape routes, elk are herd animals built for covering ground. A spooked herd can travel miles before stopping. A feeding herd might move three to five miles between evening and morning. You're not hunting a 150-pound deer that lives in a 400-acre core area—you're pursuing an animal that might use 50,000 acres across a season.

The Rut: Your Best Opportunity

The elk rut typically peaks from mid-September through the first week of October, though timing varies by latitude and elevation. This two to three-week window is when bulls become vulnerable to calling. A herd bull protecting his harem of cows will often respond aggressively to what he perceives as a rival. A satellite bull cruising for receptive cows may come running to cow calls.

Key Rut Phases:

• Pre-Rut (Late August - Early September): Bulls are leaving bachelor groups, establishing territories, and beginning to bugle. They're responsive but still cautious. Satellite bulls—younger or less dominant animals—are particularly susceptible to calling during this phase.

• Peak Rut (Mid-September - Early October): Herd bulls have gathered harems of 10-25 cows and are actively breeding. They're territorial, vocal, and aggressive. This is the best window for calling, particularly if you can find a bull without cows or challenge a herd bull into leaving his harem.

• Post-Rut (October): Bulls are exhausted from weeks of fighting and breeding with little feeding. They become quieter, more reclusive, and much harder to call. Spot-and-stalk tactics become more effective than calling.

Elk Habitat

Elk are habitat generalists, but they share common patterns across their range:

• Morning: Feed in meadows, clearcuts, or agricultural areas in low light, then move uphill toward bedding cover as the sun rises
• Midday: Bed in north-facing slopes, dark timber, or anywhere with thermal cover and escape routes
• Evening: Move back downhill toward feeding areas as temperatures drop

During the rut, bulls often hold cows in transitional timber between feeding and bedding areas—benches, saddles, and small parks that provide both security and forage.

Elevation typically ranges from 7,000-12,000 feet in most western states, though elk can be found much lower during winter or in coastal areas (Roosevelt elk in Oregon and Washington).

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Where to Hunt: Western States Compared

Understanding the Tag System

Before diving into specific states, you need to understand how western elk tags work. There are three basic systems:

Over-the-Counter (OTC): You can buy a tag without applying for a draw. Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington offer some form of OTC tags to non-residents. These hunts typically have lower success rates (10-20%) due to higher pressure, but you can hunt every year.

Limited Draw: You apply by a deadline (usually spring), and tags are awarded through a lottery. Your odds depend on the unit, weapon type, and sometimes preference points. States like Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, and New Mexico are primarily draw states.

Preference/Bonus Points: Many states offer point systems that improve your odds over time. Preference point states (Colorado, Wyoming, Montana) give priority to applicants with the most points. Bonus point states (Arizona, New Mexico) use points to weight the lottery but don't guarantee tags.

State-by-State Breakdown

Colorado

• Tag System: OTC archery tags statewide (residents only as of 2025), OTC rifle for 2nd and 3rd seasons, limited draw for premium units
• Non-Resident Tag Cost: ~$825 for bull elk
• Elk Population: Largest in North America—280,000+ animals
• Pros: Massive public land, abundant elk, you can hunt every year with OTC tags
• Cons: Heavy pressure on OTC units, archery tags now residents-only for non-residents, success rates around 10-15% for OTC
• Best For: First-time DIY hunters who want guaranteed opportunity

Montana

• Tag System: General tags available through draw, ~80% of non-residents draw general tags
• Non-Resident Tag Cost: ~$915 combo license
• Elk Population: ~140,000 animals
• Pros: Less pressure than Colorado, excellent public land, high-quality general units
• Cons: Must apply in the draw, some units take years to draw
• Best For: Hunters willing to put in a year or two for better quality hunting

Wyoming

• Tag System: Limited draw, leftover tags available
• Non-Resident Tag Cost: ~$707 regular, ~$1,965 special draw
• Elk Population: ~110,000 animals
• Pros: Exceptional trophy quality, wilderness hunting opportunities
• Cons: Most units require points, expensive special draw, fewer non-resident tags
• Best For: Hunters building points for premium opportunities

Idaho

• Tag System: OTC general tags, first-come-first-served (~12,500 non-resident tags)
• Non-Resident Tag Cost: ~$650+ tag, ~$195 license
• Elk Population: ~120,000 animals
• Pros: Vast wilderness, lower pressure than Colorado, good success rates
• Cons: Limited non-resident tags sell out, rugged terrain
• Best For: Fit hunters who want OTC tags with better success than Colorado

New Mexico

• Tag System: 100% draw with random lottery (no points)
• Non-Resident Tag Cost: ~$550-775 depending on hunt type
• Elk Population: ~70,000 animals
• Pros: Trophy quality, unique rut timing (October), anyone can draw any year
• Cons: Low draw odds for premium units, limited public land in some areas
• Best For: Hunters who want a shot at trophy bulls without building points

Oregon

• Tag System: OTC general tags, draw for premium units
• Non-Resident Tag Cost: ~$738
• Elk Population: ~80,000 (Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt subspecies)
• Pros: Both Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk, vast public land, lower hunter density
• Cons: Lower overall elk density than Colorado, long drive for most hunters
• Best For: Hunters seeking less crowded DIY opportunities

Arizona

• Tag System: Limited draw with bonus points, some OTC "any bull" areas
• Non-Resident Tag Cost: ~$665
• Elk Population: ~35,000 animals
• Pros: Exceptional trophy quality, unique desert mountain hunting
• Cons: Very low draw odds (often less than 1%), September heat
• Best For: Hunters willing to wait years or decades for a premium tag

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DIY vs. Guided: The Real Economics

Here's where we get brutally honest about what elk hunting actually costs. The Instagram posts don't show the pile of receipts.

DIY Hunt Budget Breakdown

Bare Minimum (Solo, Drive, OTC Colorado):

This assumes you already own appropriate gear, don't fly, and don't harvest an elk (no processing or shipping costs).

Realistic DIY Budget (Group of 4, Flying, 7-Day Hunt):

Note: The processing and shipping costs assume one to four hunters are successful. If nobody tags out, those costs disappear—but so does the meat.

Guided Hunt Economics

Guided elk hunts range enormously based on access, amenities, and trophy quality:

Budget Guided ($3,500-5,000):

• Public land based
• Drop camp or semi-guided format
• 2:1 or 3:1 hunter-to-guide ratio
• Meals and lodging usually included
• 40-60% opportunity rate on legal bulls

Mid-Range Guided ($5,000-8,000):

• Mix of public and private land
• Fully guided with 2:1 ratio
• Better accommodations
• 50-70% opportunity rate
• Tags not included

Premium Guided ($8,000-15,000+):

• Private ranch or premier public units
• 1:1 guiding
• Trophy management (300+ class bulls)
• High success rates (70-90%)
• Landowner tags often available (guaranteed)

What the Guide Fee Doesn't Include:

True Cost Example: $6,500 "Guided Elk Hunt"

That $6,500 hunt actually costs $10,540. Every single time.

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The Physical Reality: Getting Your Body Ready

No amount of gear or guiding can substitute for physical fitness. Elk hunting at elevation will humble even excellent athletes.

The Challenge

You'll be operating at 8,000-12,000 feet of elevation, where oxygen availability is 20-35% lower than sea level. Your heart and lungs work harder just standing still. Add steep terrain, a 30-40 pound pack, and miles of hiking, and you understand why the number one reason hunters fail is exhaustion.

A typical day might involve:

• 4:00 AM wake-up, hike 2 miles to glassing position in the dark
• Hunt hard until 10:00 AM, covering 3-5 miles of broken terrain
• Midday break/scouting, 2-3 miles of hiking
• Evening hunt, another 2-4 miles
• Hike back to camp in the dark

If you're successful, add packing out 150-200 pounds of meat and antlers over multiple trips. Each load might be 60-80 pounds on your back over miles of mountain terrain.

Training Protocol

Minimum Timeline: 12 weeks before your hunt

Cardiovascular Base (Weeks 1-6):

• 3-4 days per week of sustained cardio
• Start with 30 minutes, build to 60+ minutes
• Hiking with elevation gain is ideal
• Stair climber with weight is the best gym substitute
• Running builds cardio but doesn't prepare your legs for hiking

Strength and Load Carrying (Weeks 4-12):

• Weighted pack hikes—start at 25 pounds, build to 50-60 pounds
• Squats, lunges, step-ups (weighted)
• Core work for pack stability
• Don't neglect upper body—you'll be hauling meat

Elevation Adaptation: If you live below 3,000 feet, accept that you'll lose 20-30% of your capacity at elevation. No amount of sea-level training fully prepares you for thin air. Plan accordingly:

• Arrive 2-3 days early if possible
• Take your first day slowly
• Stay hydrated (you're losing moisture faster than you realize)
• Don't push through altitude sickness symptoms

Red Flags During Training: If you can't comfortably hike 8 miles with a 40-pound pack in varied terrain at home, you're not ready. Don't book a backcountry hunt hoping you'll "toughen up." You'll spend your hunt recovering instead of hunting.

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Hunting Techniques: Calling, Spot and Stalk, and Ambush

Calling Elk

Calling is the most exciting way to hunt elk and the method most associated with archery season during the rut.

Essential Calls:

• Cow Call (Mew): The foundation call. A simple "eee-yew" that mimics cow elk communication. Works year-round and rarely spooks elk. Start here.

• Location Bugle: A simple, single-note bugle used to get a response from bulls and locate them. Not aggressive—you're just saying "I'm here."

• Challenge Bugle: A multi-note bugle with chuckles and grunts that mimics an aggressive bull. Use sparingly and only when close to a bull you want to fight.

• Estrus Whine: An extended, drawn-out cow call that simulates a cow ready to breed. Highly effective during peak rut but can pull bulls away from their harems.

Calling Strategy:

1. Locate First: Use location bugles at first light to find vocal bulls. Don't call blind all day.

2. Read the Situation: A bugling bull might be with cows (won't leave them) or alone (might charge in). Adjust tactics accordingly.

3. Close the Distance: Most failed calling sequences happen because the hunter tried to call a bull from too far. Get within 100-150 yards before engaging aggressively.

4. Match Intensity: If a bull bugles softly, respond softly. If he's screaming, match his energy. Mismatched intensity sounds wrong.

5. Know When to Shut Up: Sometimes the best call is silence. If a bull is coming, stop calling. Let him search for you.

Common Calling Mistakes:

• Calling too much from one position
• Not getting close enough before engaging
• Over-calling to a bull that's already coming
• Challenge bugling to a herd bull that won't leave his cows

Spot and Stalk

The primary method for rifle hunting and an effective archery tactic when bulls go quiet.

Glassing: Quality optics matter more here than any other hunt. You need:

• 10x42 or 15x56 binoculars for scanning
• 20-60x spotting scope for evaluation
• Tripod (non-negotiable)

Glass early and late. Elk are nearly impossible to see in timber but highly visible when feeding in meadows, parks, and clearcuts during low light.

Stalk Execution: Once you've located elk and planned your approach:

• Use terrain features to stay hidden
• Watch the wind obsessively—it can swirl in mountain terrain
• Move when elk have their heads down feeding
• Freeze when they look up
• Always have an exit plan if the wind shifts

Rifle Range Considerations: Elk country often presents 300-500 yard shots. Know your rifle's capabilities and your own limits. A wounded elk can travel miles before dying. Only take shots you can make confidently, every time.

Ambush Tactics

Useful during rifle season when calling is less effective:

• Water Sources: Particularly effective in dry conditions or warm weather
• Wallow Sites: Muddy wallows where bulls coat themselves during the rut
• Travel Corridors: Saddles, game trails between feeding and bedding
• Feeding Areas: Meadows, agricultural fields (where legal), burn areas

Set up with the wind in your favor, arrive before first light, and wait. Less exciting than calling but often more productive during late season.

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Rifles and Calibers for Elk

Minimum Requirements

Elk are large, tough animals with heavy bones and thick muscle. Shot placement matters most, but you need enough gun to get the job done.

Minimum Caliber: .270 Winchester or 6.5mm magnums at the lower end. These work with perfect shot placement but offer little margin for error.

Ideal Range: .30 caliber magnums provide the best balance of trajectory, energy, and killing power.

Recommended Calibers

The Standards:

• .30-06 Springfield: The original elk caliber. Proven for over a century, manageable recoil, ammunition everywhere. 180-grain bullets are ideal. If your grandfather killed elk with an ought-six, so can you.

• 7mm Remington Magnum: Flat shooting, excellent long-range performance, moderate recoil. Popular since the 1960s for good reason. 160-175 grain bullets.

• .300 Winchester Magnum: The modern elk hunting standard. More energy than .30-06, flatter trajectory than 7mm, widely available. 180-200 grain bullets. More recoil than the above options.

Other Excellent Choices:

• .300 WSM, .300 PRC (modern .300 options)
• .338 Winchester Magnum (maximum power, significant recoil)
• 7mm PRC, 28 Nosler (modern 7mm options)
• 6.5 PRC, 6.5-300 Weatherby (borderline minimum, requires precise shot placement)

Bullet Selection

Bullet construction matters as much as caliber for elk. You need controlled expansion that penetrates deeply rather than fragments on the surface.

Premium Bullet Recommendations:

• Barnes TSX/TTSX (copper, excellent penetration)
• Nosler Partition (proven design, bonded core)
• Nosler AccuBond (bonded, good BC)
• Federal Trophy Bonded (bonded core)
• Hornady ELD-X (good balance of BC and terminal performance)

Avoid varmint bullets or highly frangible designs. You want a bullet that will break shoulder bones and reach vitals from quartering angles.

Shot Placement

The Ideal Shot: Broadside, tight behind the front shoulder, one-third up from the brisket. This puts your bullet through both lungs. Double-lung hits are almost always fatal within 100-200 yards.

Quartering Away: Aim to exit the off-side shoulder. The bullet must travel through the entire chest cavity.

Quartering Toward: Controversial. Some hunters take these shots with heavy-for-caliber bullets; others wait for a better angle. The shoulder joint can stop bullets.

Never Take: Straight-on chest shots, Texas heart shots (from directly behind), or shots where you can't clearly identify your target.

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Essential Gear

Boots

The single most important gear decision. Break them in completely before your hunt—blisters end more elk hunts than anything else.

Categories:

• Mountain Boots (Recommended): Stiff soles, ankle support, 400-800g insulation for September. Brands: Kenetrek, Crispi, Schnee's, Lowa.
• Budget: ~$200-300
• Mid-Range: ~$350-450
• Premium: ~$500+

Optics

Binoculars: 10x42 is the standard. Spend money here—you'll have them on your face for hours every day.

• Budget: Vortex Diamondback (~$250)
• Mid-Range: Vortex Viper, Leupold BX-4 (~$500-700)
• Premium: Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss (~$1,500-3,000)

Spotting Scope: 20-60x variable. Essential for judging bulls and planning stalks at distance.

• Budget: Vortex Diamondback (~$350)
• Mid-Range: Vortex Viper, Leupold SX-4 (~$600-1,000)
• Premium: Swarovski, Leica (~$2,500+)

Rangefinder: Non-negotiable for rifle or archery. 1,000+ yard range, angle compensation.

• Budget: Vortex Impact (~$200)
• Mid-Range: Leupold RX-1600i, Sig Kilo (~$400-600)
• Premium: Leica, Swarovski (~$700+)

Packs

You need a pack that can carry 60+ pounds of meat when successful.

Hunting Daypack (During the Hunt):

• 2,500-4,000 cubic inches
• Frame that transfers load to hips
• Quiet materials
• Brands: Stone Glacier, Mystery Ranch, Kifaru, Kuiu

Meat Hauling:

• External frame or load shelf system
• 5,000+ cubic inches
• 80+ pound capacity
• Same brands as above, different models

Budget $300-600 for a quality pack system. This isn't the place to save money.

Clothing

Layering systems work better than single heavy garments. You'll be working hard (sweating) then sitting still (freezing).

Base Layer: Merino wool or synthetic. Never cotton. Mid Layer: Fleece or down jacket for insulation Outer Layer: Wind/water resistant, quiet material Hunting-Specific: Camo pattern matters less than noise and function

Camping/Shelter

Basecamp Hunting: If you're returning to a vehicle or cabin each night, you need less. Focus on a comfortable sleeping setup and cooking gear.

Backcountry Hunting: Add significant weight and cost:

• 3-season tent or bivy (~$300-600)
• Quality sleeping bag rated below expected temps (~$300-500)
• Sleeping pad (R-value 4+ for September) (~$100-200)
• Stove, fuel, cookware (~$150-250)
• Water filtration (~$50)

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After the Shot: Processing and Packing

Field Care

Elk meat quality is determined in the first few hours after harvest. Time and temperature are your enemies.

Immediate Steps:

1. Tag your animal legally
2. Take photos if desired
3. Begin cooling the carcass immediately

The Gutless Method: Most elk hunters use the gutless method, which avoids opening the body cavity and keeps meat cleaner:

1. Skin one side of the animal
2. Remove hindquarter, front quarter, backstrap on that side
3. Roll animal, repeat on other side
4. Access neck meat and rib meat as desired
5. Flip again to remove tenderloins from inside (optional to gut for this)

Quarter Weights (Approximate, Bone-In):

• Hindquarter: 50-70 pounds each
• Front quarter: 30-45 pounds each
• Backstraps: 8-12 pounds total
• Tenderloins: 3-5 pounds total
• Neck/rib/trim: 20-40 pounds

Total Meat Yield: A mature bull yields 250-350 pounds of boneless meat. A cow yields 150-250 pounds. Actual yield depends on animal size, shot placement, and butchering skill.

Packing Out

The work isn't done until the meat is cooling at camp or the truck. This is often the hardest part of the hunt.

Solo Pack Out: Expect 4-6 trips if you're more than a mile from your vehicle. Each load should be 60-80 pounds depending on your fitness and terrain. It's brutally hard work.

Group Pack Out: With 3-4 hunters helping, a bull elk can be removed in 1-3 trips depending on distance.

Pro Tips:

• Game bags are essential—protect meat from dirt, debris, and flies
• Hang meat in shade to cool before final pack out if temperatures allow
• Early morning pack-outs are cooler and easier
• Mark your kill site with GPS—everything looks different when you return

Processing Options

Professional Processor:

• Cost: $300-700 depending on services
• Turnaround: 3-14 days during season
• Pros: Expert cuts, vacuum packaging, sausage/jerky options
• Cons: Cost, trusting others with your meat, timing logistics

DIY Processing:

• Requires: Sharp knives, cutting space, freezer capacity, time
• Pros: Full control, cost savings, satisfaction
• Cons: Learning curve, time intensive, equipment needs

Shipping Meat Home: If you fly to your hunt, you'll need to ship or check meat:

• UPS/FedEx frozen: $150-400 depending on weight and distance
• Airlines as checked baggage: Usually cheaper but requires coolers and logistics
• Tip: Flash-freeze meat at a processor, pack in insulated boxes with dry ice

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Conservation and Ethics

North American Model of Wildlife Conservation

Elk hunting exists because of conservation funded by hunters. This isn't marketing—it's documented history.

Pittman-Robertson Act: Since 1937, an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition has generated over $14 billion for wildlife conservation. This funds habitat acquisition, research, and management across all 50 states.

State License Revenue: Every elk tag sold funds the wildlife agency that manages those elk. Non-resident fees, which are significantly higher than resident fees, contribute disproportionately to conservation in western states.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: Hunter-funded organization that has conserved over 8 million acres of elk habitat since 1984. If you're going to hunt elk, consider supporting RMEF.

Hunting Ethics

Fair Chase: Hunt elk on their terms, in their habitat, with legal methods that give them a reasonable chance of escape. This means no shooting from vehicles, no herding with aircraft, no electronic calls (where prohibited), and no fence-enclosed "hunts."

Marksmanship: Only take shots you can make confidently. Practice extensively before your hunt. A wounded elk that dies slowly and is never recovered is the worst possible outcome.

Meat Care: Elk are too valuable to waste. Prioritize meat recovery over antlers. If conditions threaten meat quality, leave the antlers and get the meat out first.

Access and Relationships: Whether you're on public land or have permission on private land, leave it better than you found it. Pack out all trash, respect closures, and thank landowners. Future hunters depend on the reputation we build today.

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Group Trip Planning: The Field & Tally Reality

Here's where elk hunting gets complicated for groups. Between tag systems, travel logistics, and the significant chance that not everyone (or anyone) will be successful, elk trips create expense-tracking nightmares.

The Typical Scenario

Four buddies plan a Colorado elk hunt. Here's how expenses compound:

Pre-Trip:

• Application fees (if applicable)
• Preference point purchases
• Deposits on lodging/guided hunts
• Gear purchases (often significant for first-timers)

Trip Expenses:

• Licenses and tags
• Travel (flights, rental, fuel)
• Lodging
• Food and supplies
• Processing (varies by success)
• Shipping (varies by success)
• Tips (if guided)

Real Example: 4 Hunters, 7-Day DIY Colorado Trip

But here's the problem: Hunter A and Hunter B killed elk. Hunter C and Hunter D did not. Processing and shipping were split equally, but that doesn't feel quite right. Hunter B paid for the cabin deposit months ago and needs reimbursement. Hunter C's flight cost $100 more because he booked late. Hunter D bought $200 worth of groceries that everyone ate.

This is where group trips get messy. You're juggling shared costs (lodging, rental, fuel, food) with individual costs (licenses, personal gear, processing if successful) with advance payments that need settling up.

Expenses to Track:

• Application/draw fees
• Licenses and tags
• Travel (flights, fuel, rental)
• Lodging and camping
• Food and supplies
• Guide deposits and payments
• Tips
• Processing and butchering
• Meat shipping or transport
• Gear purchases (shared vs. individual)

Tracking this in a spreadsheet works until it doesn't—usually around day three when you're exhausted and nobody remembers who paid for what. Log expenses in real-time, keep receipts photographed, and settle up with one tap instead of passive-aggressive group text chains that drag on for weeks after the hunt. That's why tools like Field & Tally exist.

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First Hunt Checklist

6-12 Months Out

• Research states and units
• Apply for draws (deadlines vary: Feb-May typically)
• Begin physical training
• Book guided hunt or lock in group dates

3-6 Months Out

• Purchase major gear (boots, pack, optics)
• Intensify training—weighted pack hikes
• Scout digitally (onX, Google Earth, forums)
• Book lodging and travel
• Purchase licenses (once draw results known)

1 Month Out

• Finalize all gear—no new boots!
• Practice shooting in field conditions
• Practice calling if hunting the rut
• Research processors near hunt area
• Confirm logistics with group

1 Week Out

• Pack thoroughly, then remove unnecessary weight
• Charge electronics, download offline maps
• Print licenses and regulations
• Confirm lodging/travel
• Designate group expense tracker

Day Before Hunt

• Arrive at hunting area
• Scout access points and glassing locations
• Check equipment one final time
• Review unit regulations
• Get to bed early—you'll need the sleep

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Final Thoughts

Elk hunting will test you. The mountains don't care about your day job, your hunting résumé, or how much you spent on gear. They'll expose every weakness in your conditioning, your patience, and your ability to make good decisions when you're exhausted.

But there's nothing else like it. The predawn bugles echoing off canyon walls. The adrenaline surge when a bull comes crashing through the dark timber toward your cow calls. The bone-deep satisfaction of packing out meat you earned with sweat and blisters and persistence.

Most hunters don't kill an elk on their first trip, or their second, or maybe even their fifth. But every hunt teaches you something. Every close encounter makes you better. And when it finally comes together—when you're standing over a bull in the thin mountain air, hands shaking, heart pounding—you'll understand why people spend years pursuing these animals.

Start training. Start saving. Start planning. The mountains are waiting.

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Planning a group elk hunt? Splitting shared expenses like cabin rentals, rental trucks, and groceries—while tracking individual costs like licenses and processing—gets complicated fast. Field & Tally keeps everyone honest and makes settling up painless, so you can focus on the hunt instead of the accounting.

Plan the trip. Hit the mountains. Split the tab. Start your elk hunt for free on Field & Tally.