Scott Hatch has been chasing elk for years, and he ages elk by their antlers, body size and shape, and head position. The bigger and heavier the antlers, the more mature the bull elk. Mature bulls also have a swayback in the lower neck, a bigger hump and a lower head. If it looks like a big yellow bus, it’s a mature elk. Some say you can hear it in the bugle, but that shouldn’t be used to determine age. Only laying eyes on the elk can give you a good idea of its age.
Up Next in Elk Hunting Tips and Tactics
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6 Afternoon Elk Hunting Tips
Early season elk hunting can be hot in the afternoon and early evening. Look for water because that’s where elk will be headed. It gets dark quickly, so don’t be afraid to move. Head to water, pay attention to the wind, call, move if necessary, be aware of losing light, and rely on previous exper...
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Calling Elk Early Season v Rut
How do you decide when to bugle and when to cow call? Early season, start with cow chirps and cow calling subtly. If there isn’t much response, move to a locate bugle. During the rut, it’s more of a conversation. You want to interact with the bull but not over-call and sound desperate. Cow elk ha...
