Hunting Elk: A Beginner’s Guide

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At Tioga Boar Hunting, we’ve welcomed countless first-time elk hunters who visit us in hopes of nabbing their first elk. However, before you head out, there are a few things you need to learn to be successful on your first elk hunt.

Learn to Call

Now, getting the proper call down for an elk is easy; knowing when, where and how much to call comes with experience. As a first-time elk hunter, you will be able to use your call in a real scenario for the first time, which will give you a bit more knowledge on how well you succeed with using it. The call might not help you out on your first try, but it will be a step in the right direction to becoming a better elk hunter.

Cover Your Scent

Much like other animals, an elk’s sense of smell is very strong and they will be able to pick up scents more easily than a human’s nose would. With that said, even though you might not have put anything scented on your body, an elk might still be able to pick up your smell. When heading out on the hunt, pay attention to wind currents, just as you might with deer or any other animal, as approaching an animal from a downwind direction will help keep your scent from getting to an elk’s keen nose and potentially scaring them off.

Stay Out of Sight

An elk’s eyes are on the side of its head, giving it a wide range of sight, so it’s important to stay mindful of which direction the elk is facing when out on the hunt. The downside to their large field of view is that elk have poor depth perception, so take advantage of that when you can by hiding in brush and obstructed views.

Prepare for After

For all the preparation that goes into going out on the hunt, not nearly as much goes into planning for what you’ll do with all of your meat once you tag one. You will have a ton of meat from taking an elk and you certainly don’t want it to go bad. Before setting out, empty out your fridge or buy a new chest freezer because you’re going to need the space to store all that fresh, delicious elk venison.

When you’re ready for your first elk hunt, head out to Tioga Boar Hunting. Located in Tioga, Pennsylvania, we also offer guided hunts for other big game like boar and rams. For more information or to book your hunt, call us today at 570-835-5341!