Exo Journal — Elk Hunting

The internet is full of elk hunting advice on tactics, calling strategies, shooting tips, and gear. With so much information readily available, it is easy to get overwhelmed or stuck in "paralysis by analysis.” Let's clarify the confusion and focus on 3 simple strategies to effectively hunt on public land.

Whether hunting with a bow or a rifle, it is our responsibility as hunters to be effective and efficient in killing the animals we pursue. More than just placing a projectile "in the vitals" — we should understand the animal's physiology and the different ways that the impact of a bullet or broadhead can be fatal.

Elk, especially mature bulls, are incredibly large and tough creatures. As a point of comparison, it’s not unusual for a big bull to weigh 3-4x as much as a big-bodied whitetail or mule deer. Stories also abound of poorly hit elk running into the next zip code with no signs of slowing down. For this reason, hunters going afield after elk with a rifle should be adequately armed. With all that in mind, my goal with this article is to provide you with a couple of good recommendations on selecting the right caliber for hunting elk.

You have yourself an out-of-state elk tag and you cannot put boots on the ground until the hunt starts. What do you do? Here is the process I use to scout for out-of-state elk hunts...