Elk Hunting on Your Own

The Plan

After getting drawn for an elk permit, develop and implement a comprehensive elk hunting plan. I have been very lucky in getting 5 bull elk with my last 5 elk licenses in three different states. Here is a list of things I do that have helped me to be lucky. I hope they help make you lucky too! 1. Learn as much as possible about the area you plan to hunt. A. Get maps, vacation guide books, B. Vacation in the area and know the area. 2. Make a list of items needed. 3. Have your partners get the appropriate days off. 4. If the season is long, plan on 2 or 3 short hunts. 5. Hunt with responsible hunters. 6. Get a physical and get into good physical condition. 7. Make prior arrangements for packing out your game. 8. Each person needs emergency directions. 9. Develop a budget. 10. Have the right equipment for the type of hunt you will go on and know how to use the equipment. 11. Develop a positive attitude about the trip. 12. Take precautions so you return as healthy as you left. 13. Learn as much as possible about elk. A. Read about elk such as in Bugle, etc., B. Watch videos on elk hunting, C. Know how to preserve meat in the wilderness, D. Visit with successful elk hunters, E. Take an elk hunting class (Preferably mine! :-) ). 14. Some strategies that help to get elk are: A. Know how your gun shoots at 25, 50, 100, 200 & 300 yards, B. Hunt in an area that has elk, C. Use elk scents appropriately, D. If elk are not in the area, go to a better location, E. Camp close to the elk but not so close that you spook them, F. Learn how to locate elk between dusk and dawn, G. Learn how to track elk, H. Learn on what parts of the mountain elk are likely to be, I. Learn how to hunt undetected in the mountains, and J. Learn how to see elk before they see you. 15. Get corrective eyewear to at least 20/20. Some have 20/15. 16. Safety! Safety! Safety! For speaking engagements by Gaylynn L. Becker on backpacking, elk hunting and other topics, please call: (701) 222-3202