How To Archery Elk Hunt

Do you want to know how to archery hunt elk? Elk are large powerful game, which live in rugged territory. This means the bow hunter, who have to get much closer than a rifle hunter, will have to work hard to get in range of them. Archery hunting elk requires some dedication, some skill, and a lot of work to be done successfully. The purpose of this article is to give the novice archery hunter an overview on how the process might go, and some of the equipment needed to hunt elk with a bow.

Items needed to archery elk hunt:

• Bow
• Arrows
• 3D Elk target
• Hunting clothing, camouflage
• Sturdy boots
• Compass
• Topographical maps of the area
• Hunting knife
• Hydration method
• Food
• Snacks
• Elk calls
• Research material
• Long under ware

This is a starter list for the novice hunter. Every hunter will fill it out for their own particular needs.

The process of archery hunting elk will go something like this:

1. Get in shape. If you are not in top shape, now is the time to start. Elk live in rough country, and while they may be large animals, but they are hard to hunt and get close enough to with a bow.
2. Research your intended area.  Research an area before settling on it. Some areas may not allow archery hunting. Some may require the use of a guide. Find out what their rules and regulations are ahead of time. Find out from locals if possible what kind of hunting gear and clothing is appropriate. Here is where you want to decide where you will stay, how you will stay and other details. Research local guides if one is needed, make sure to get good references.
3. Buy bow and equipment.  If you do not have a bow, buy one and matching gear. Buy appropriate other gear for your hunt such as tents if needed, cooking gear if needed, everything that you will use on your hunt. It might be a good idea for the weeks leading up to purchases to make lists of everything you think of to help keep track of all the details. Once you buy equipment, practice with it to insure it works when you will need it to.
4. Practice with bow.  Buy a 3D elk target and practice shooting at it from various ranges. Elk are much larger than deer, and are deceptive at distance. You want to be able to hit the vitals every time at the ranges you shoot from. It is a good idea to shoot from obscured areas, like branches in the way etc, to mimic real life hunting conditions.
5. Study elk. Research elk and find out everything you can about them. Learn their feeding habits, where they like to sleep, anything you think may help you get close to them. Local DNR can be a good source here as well as the Internet and library. This will help you formulate a good strategy for hunting elk with the bow.
6. Buy good elk calls and practice.  Calling elk is one good strategy but must be done well to work. Buy good quality calls and practice with them until you are proficient. Do not worry, your neighbors and wife will not likely have you committed, but they might begin to look at you oddly.
7. Book your hunt early.  Some states have lotteries for elk tags, find out and enter if they do. Book guides early if you will use one, like anyone else, once they get filled you are out of luck.
8. Enjoy your hunt.  You have worked hard, enjoy your hunt. Hopefully you are sharing with with a good friend.

Those are the basic processes for the novice archer to learn how to archery hunt for elk. There are a million small details you will find during the process. Making lists helps a lot, so make them and check them off when completed. Good luck with your hunt for the great Wapiti with your bow and arrows.