yes I figure Ill get a few people commenting or disagreeing
I get into an endlessly varied discussion about the choices in rifles and cartridges they or I have and use,
with a nearly endless group of the members of the hunt club I am a member of and guys I meet at various ranges
when we are younger most of us seem to watch what the older guys we know use and in many cases we assume,
that because they are generally successful that they know what they are doing and they must have made the correct choices,
so many of us start by selecting similar equipment.
just some facts
(1) the vast majority of the larger game is killed at well under 250 yards
(2)most people can,t accurately judge ranges past 200 yards
(3) very few people can consistently hit a 3" diameter target past 100 yards shooting from a rapidly acquired field position
(4) almost any centerfire cartridge with a reasonable projectile choice, in the hands of a decent rifleman, will be,
and can consistently be lethal if the shots correctly placed,
and you have a decent knowledge of the games anatomy and your rifle/cartridge limitations
(5) there are no "MAJIC" rifles or cartridges but there are better choices and less than ideal choices
(6) many people don,t practice nearly enough to become decent and consistently accurate shots
(7) most people who are unsuccessful are unwilling to put the time and effort into learning how to become a successful hunter.
(8) buying the very latest and fastest or flattest shooting trajectory rifle , is unlikely to significantly improve your kill ratio
compared to cartridge designs that have been sold for many decades like a, 25/06, 270 win,30/06, 7mm mag,280 rem,35 whelen or 300 mag.
(9) learning to hand load tends to increase the time you spend practicing your shooting
(10)getting off your butt, and actually spending time walking around in the field from dawn and yes still out walking or observing until dark
more than just on the opening day hunt ,does help improve your odds of success a good deal.
(11) yes its a fact , the more time that is spent walking and observing in the field, and off the roads,
and in rifle practice DOES IN FACT increase your odds of success.
(12) money spent on well researched quality equipment, and familiarity with it, through practice,
rather than purchasing lots of cheap crap , and constantly buying the latest fad ,tends to pay big dividends in your consistent success.
(13) the most consistently successful hunters I know have used the same equipment for decades
(14) good Vibram soled boots, a warm jacket, a decent hat and vest, a decent rifle sling, good scope and mounts and consistent rifle maintenance does count!
(15) do your research, spending time hunting an area with very low game population density tends to be wasted effort compared to results youll have if you do prior research
buy topo maps, talk to area game wardens and biologists prior to the hunt!
a few similar tips found on-line, and it certainly might help to buy a few related books and videos
https://www.academy.com/explore/8-de...tips-beginners
https://www.knightandhale.com/field-...-success-tips/
https://www.chuckhawks.com/first_opening_day.htm
https://www.americanhunter.org/artic...-diy-elk-hunt/
https://www.fieldandstream.com/artic...mate-elk-hunt/
https://www.backcountrychronicles.com/choose-elk-unit/
1. Glass in thick cover
Glassing for elk on open hillsides often leads to elk sightings, especially cows and young bulls. But some of the best sighting can be done in thick cover. Slipping quietly through thick timber and glassing even in the thickest fir re-growth areas can reveal big bulls like this one.
2. Find flat spots amid steep slopes
You should invest in topographic maps of where your hunting and seek out the flat spots at the head of drainages. It's easy to get overwhelmed when hunting elk in big country like Montana. Hiking 15 miles in a single day with no real plan is about as productive as staying in camp all day. Find areas that are likely to hold bulls. Thick flat areas where water starts flowing at the top of a creek drainage is as good a starting point as you can get. This single tip may be the best time saver you'll ever learn when hunting elk.
3. Pay attention to the wind
So many hunters seem to ignore the wind. If you have to hike an extra mile to approach an area from downwind, it will be time well spent. After hiking three or four miles over rough terrain, now is not the time to avoid a little more physical exertion.
4. Be in shape
Elk hunting hurts when you're not in shape! Hiking five miles to where the elk are requires motivation, carrying 70 pounds of meat five miles takes stamina. Being in shape for elk hunting isn't the same as being in shape for deer hunting or even in shape for a marathon. It's different. Be ready to hike up, down, over blow downs, carry a heavy pack and be able to run when you need to. Be in shape before you get to the mountain.
5. Slow down
I have a friend who is in excellent shape but he hikes ten miles in a single day and often complains about not seeing elk. It is much better to spend a little more time sneaking through a prime area than to put on miles in search of an elk.
6. Hunt in the afternoon and be where the elk are until dark
So many times I see hunters heading into the woods early who leave at midday. Five of my last six elk were shot several miles from my truck between 2 pm and 4 pm. Hunt until dark and be prepared to hike out with a headlamp. Staying in the woods back where the elk are will pay huge dividends.
Early rifle season elk don't just disappear after the rut is over. Knowing the areas where to find elk and hunting in those areas all day will consistently put you in spitting distance of bulls. Slowing down, and glassing will put them in your crosshairs.