Wow, I'm surprised this has set here this long with no response, perhaps not that many folks actually hunt elk....

First, I'd have to say that for me "how I hunt elk" means way more to me than getting close to an elk and killing it; if that is all there was then the whole damn trip would boil down to about 1 minute to 1 hour.... very sad. So bear with me if this description of "how we hunt elk" doesn't have enough "killing part in it." To me, the enjoyment of friends and nature and the execution of strategy pretty much make the package.
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* Explore your area thru the summer. [Enjoy nature and friends]
* Cache items to make your job simpler and easier during the hunting season [Work, Enjoy Nature].
* Utilize GPS and mapping software so you really know your way around [Strategy].
* Get a good crew together that have: sufficient firepower (no pop guns), mental toughness, work ethic, and good sense of humor. [Strategy, Enjoy friends]
* Go during the first rifle season available, [in 2003 the bulls were bugling full time] after the first rifle season "assault" the "word is out" and elk get tougher to harvest). (If you are a late, cold season, wade in the snow hunter, then God bless ya.) [Strategy]
* Set up a main camp just off the main graded forest service road with all the comforts of home so you have a good recharging station plus a place to recuperate if the weather is really really bad. This also acts as the mustering point for people arriving into camp on various days and times. [Work, Enjoy Nature, Enjoy friends]
* Bring along the gourmet chef, so that you eat well, have someone to "take care of you" when you are not in spike camp, and you have someone to watch your stuff when the camp empties out.
* Scout your area the week before the season. Determine the best area and the spike camp location. [Strategy, Enjoy Nature, Enjoy Friends]
* Set up a spike camp about 4 miles back into the "hot zone" (or what ever it takes in your area to get away from the crowds and into the action), this way you don't have to spend so much of your dark hours walking in the dark on the way in in the morning and walking in the dark on the way out in the evening. This camp provides only basic shelter, heat, a place to sleep, and basic food --- a place to "hole up" or "warm up". [Work, Enjoy Nature, Enjoy Friends]
* Set Up: Based upon your scouting knowledge of the area (this may take a few years --- part of the price to be paid) position your group in a picket line of adventageous ambush spots. If you can arrange it so the actions of the weekend warriors will drive the elk to you, then by all means utilize it. [Enjoy Nature, Strategy]
* Killing: (1) use a rifle and bullets that can EASILY do the job [regardless of what you believe your marksmanship abilities to be], (2) make sure the darn thing is sighted in to gnats arse and that you can shoot it well without a benchrest, (3) when the elk are "acquired" at reasonable distance, (use a cow call to stop them [80%]) then perform and perform quickly. [Strategy, Common sense]
* Field dress the game using the Alaskan method, get it into game bags, and get it hanging in the shade ASAP. Have a back up plan of how you will preserve your meat in the event you knock down more animals than you can pack out in a 24 hour period of warm, warm temperatures (hard to predict Rocky Mountain weather). Be aware while you are field dressing the elk you will likely see more shootable elk, be ready. [Work, Strategy, Enjoy Nature]
* Pack out the elk to the main camp using horses and panniers. [if you are packing them on your back, then I hope your group don't shoot too many at once AND god bless ya].
* If you don't have your animal the first day, then hole up in spike camp and hit it again tomorrow. [Enjoy Friends and Nature].
* Finish packing out the meat. Take the spike camp out on the last trip. [Work, Enjoy Nature, Enjoy Friends]
* Butcher the elk in camp, (1 to 3 days) [Work, Enjoy Friends].
* Break and load camp. [Work, Enjoy Friends]
* Divide the meat. [Enjoy Friends]

* Leave [Appreciate civilization upon your return].
* Spend the next year figuring out how to make "it" better. [Strategy]
* Keep an eye out for hunters who have "the right stuff" for next year's group.
* Don't invite anyone back who diminished the group or the hunt [group dynamics are key, key, key]

* Repeat and do it again next year.

That's how we hunt elk.

EKM