Alberta Elk Hunting Tips:
 An
impressive trophy Rocky Mountain Elk from Alberta Canada is
the dream of many hunters. Your Alberta elk hunting
guide usually lives in and scouts the elk herd in his given
area, so they are the best source for elk hunting insights
for a successful hunt. As grandpa said, PPPPP (Prior
Planning Prevents Poor Performance) These are just
some basic pointers to keep in mind:
- Off season scouting is imperative to a successful
Alberta Elk hunt. If you are unable to scout your
hunting area, you may be dependent on your Alberta
hunting guide to make sure they know the elk herd's
feeding areas, bedding areas and travel routes.
Make sure they have this covered!
- Spot and stalk is usually the method of hunting for
the Alberta Rocky Mountain Elk. Spot and stalk
hunters should be in reasonably good physical condition.
Even if you are a fit person, hiking in higher altitudes
can be quite taxing. Prepare for your
Alberta Elk hunt by getting in peak physical condition,
hiking outside and up an incline if possible.
(Check with your physician before engaging in strenuous
exercise).
- Using a Bugle Call or cow call is oftentimes used to
attract the largest bull Elk. Study the most
effective Alberta Elk calling techniques used in the
game area you plan to hunt. Your pro elk hunting
guide should be able to instruct you in this. If
your hunt is fully guided, your guide may have this
detail covered. When a bull elk bugles, he is
advertising for a sweetheart, not a fight.
Sometimes he may bugle if he has been rejected by a
potential mate. And other times, bulls answer each
other, attempting to show dominance. It may seem
that a large bull elk would sound off with a echoing
bugle, but that not ALWAYS the case. Sometimes
larger, older bulls don't sound the way they look.
- Just as you should be in good physical condition,
your hunting equipment should be also. Put careful
thought into what gear you will need. Start at
your head with proper binoculars and go down to your
feet, considering lightweight and protective footgear.
And remember to be in good practice with your weapon.
Shoot often and from various distances, whether you plan
to use a gun or a bow, so it is like second nature to
you. Traveling with your rifle can effect your
scope and accuracy of your weapon, so sight in and
practice before leaving for your hunt.
- Never hunt alone, especially in unfamiliar
territory. Take a GPS if you have one, but for
backup, take a compass and topo map.
- Drink a lot of water. Not cokes or coffee, but
water. This will not only keep you hydrated, but
also cut down on altitude sickness and headaches when
Elk hunting.
- A successful Alberta Elk hunt starts with daily
habits you may not have thought about. First, address
the phenomenal ability of a Rocky Mountain Elk to 'wind'
a human. NO SMOKING, and some people even avoid coffee
prior to a elk hunt. What are you washing your hunting
clothes in? Is your deodorant scented? Do your hunting
boots, well, smell like hunting boots? What did you eat
for breakfast at camp (Hopefully nobody decided to cook
bacon for breakfast!) Perfumed washing powder, scented
shampoos and soaps can be a killer for your elk hunt. In
addition to covering your scent, there are hundreds of
products designed to attract the elk to your area. Find
out what works best for the time of year you are
planning your hunt. Store you hunting clothes in a
large plastic bag to protect them from camp cooking
odors. Some hunters actually put a small amount of
dirt in the bag, and a few apples, to disguise the
scent.
- Leave the camp early, and stay in the stand late.
Beat the competition to the hunting area, and don't be
in a hurry to get back to camp. The hunters
arriving later than you may serve as a driving force,
moving the elk to your area. Elk travel through
the day, so don't assume they are done moving early.
If they are feeling pressured, the will be traveling to
safety to bed.
- Following the elk rut and before deep snows move
into the high country, look for big bulls up in higher
elevations. A rule of thumb is "the higher the
elevation, the bigger the bull". The reason for this is
that mature bulls are very solitary animals following
the rut and will seek out secluded areas where they can
recover, feed, and be left alone. Younger bull elk are
often found lower down the mountain and may even be
found on the fringe of a herd of cows.
- If it is extremely cold while you are hunting, that
may increase herd movement. The elk require more
food when it is cold, and they will need to move around
to find it.
- Caring for your Alberta Trophy Elk - Your pro guide
will be knowledgeable in this area, but talk to your
local taxidermist about how much cape (hide) you will
need if you plan on mounting your trophy elk. You
will actually need a lot more cape than you think you'll
need to get a full shoulder mount. If you are
planning on tanning the hide, the cuts will be totally
different. Know what you want to do with the elk
before you bust out your knife. Always keep the
animal as cool as possible while transporting. Elk
is a healthy and delicious meat to eat. Check into
recipes and marinating techniques from chefs experienced
in how to properly prepare elk.
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