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 Season One
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Bowhunting v. Rifle Hunting for Elk
A bow cannot cover as much ground as a rifle. Therefore, bowhunting requires the hunter to get in close. When you set up to bowhunt elk, put the hunter between the elk and the caller. Rifle hunting allows you to hang back and glass a mountain to find the elk and then move in a little closer to ma...
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How to Prepare for an Elk Hunt
Before you even get to your destination, you need to prepare for your elk hunt. Scott Hatch from Three Forks Ranch in Colorado advises first-time elk hunters to get in shape. You need to get physically fit well in advance of your hunt. Once you get there, you will need to get acclimated to the al...
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Sheep and Elk Adrenaline • Western Bi...
From desert bighorn sheep to bugling bull elk, this trip to the Wild West really pays off.
