Order of Importance

[cnelk]

There are many ways to kill elk.
If you were to list the order of importance on how to kill an elk, what would the order be?
Me?... My top 6

1- Know the terrain that holds elk

2- Getting into position

3- Finding shooting lanes

4- Knowing when to draw

5- Making the shot

6- Calling

So many times if the top 5 arent done right, number 6 aint gonna matter.

 

[Old School]

1- Know the terrain that holds elk - If you can\'t find them, you can\'t shoot them

2- Making the shot - If you can\'t make the shot, well, you\'re not getting the elk

3- Getting Into Position - just feel like there is some room for error here. Not saying one position is as good as the other, but there could definitely be multiple good positions

4- Calling - Ability to move an elk into position or pull them in without spooking them

5- Finding shooting lanes - Might not find the first one, but if you mess it up, there\'s a chance you will have another lane - maybe further away or not as good a lane, but still an ethical shot.

6- Knowing When To Draw - sometimes it can be now or never, but other times there are multiple opportunities.

I included the logic for my rankings, so you could see my folly. I\'m sure that my order will be rearranged once I get more experience elk hunting. Mental toughness and physical conditioning rank in there somewhere also - probably 4b and 4c. In my mind number 1 is a no doubter to me, with all the others falling behind in the distance.

--Mitch

 

[bnsafe]

i think 1 is the most important, if you cant find elk none of the rest of it matters, your hiking

 

[cohunter14]

Boy, that\'s a good question. I would say all of the factors that go into finding elk would come first and are way more important than the others when it comes to punching a tag. After all, you have to find them before any of the fine details come into play. I like the \'know the terrain that holds elk\' but I would also add the following:

-Understand elk and their daily routine, i.e. feed early and late, bed during the day, occasionally hit water during the day
-Understand natural funnels and how elk would travel a given area
-Understand how to read and use a topo map to locate these areas
-Understand wind and thermals
-Understand elk sign: what to look for and what they smell like. Know how to differentiate this sign from deer, moose, cattle, etc.

Next on my list would be \'familiarize yourself with your weapon of choice and be very comfortable shooting it.\' Once you find the elk, you need to know that you can put a good shot on them when given the chance. Then, depending on what season you hunt and what weapon you choose, things like setups, calls, etc come into play. To steal a line from cnelk, hunt FOR the elk, then hunt for the ELK.

 

[cohunter14]

i think 1 is the most important, if you cant find elk none of the rest of it matters, your hiking

Totally agree Scott. Sorry, I posted my response right when you did. You summed it up better than me with far less words :upthumb:

 

[Deertick]

Isn\'t that the great thing about elk hunting?

There\'s nothing you can overlook. It ALL has to fall in place.

I think I pick different \"#1\'s\" based on the day, the mood. Which is best. Pick the battle you are most likely to win TODAY.

you\'ll know.