Elk hunting is one of the most rewarding, challenging, and desired hunts in North America. Whether you're a seasoned hunter new to elk or new to hunting the mountains altogether, good preparation makes all the difference. Here's how to get ready.
Elk country is big, steep, and often high in elevation. The single biggest factor in an enjoyable, successful first hunt is being in shape for the terrain. Start hiking now, ideally on hills, wearing the boots you'll hunt in. Build up to carrying a weighted pack (start light and work up to 20-30 lbs) so your body is ready to hike in and pack meat out. If you don't have hills nearby, stair climbing or an incline treadmill helps. If you're traveling from low elevation, arriving a day or two early to do some hiking and adjust to the altitude makes a real difference.
Quality, broken-in boots are non-negotiable — blisters can end a hunt. Wear them on every training hike so they're molded to your feet before the trip. Bring good wool or synthetic socks (never cotton), plus a spare pair for each day.
Mountain weather swings from warm afternoons to freezing mornings and can turn wet or snowy quickly. Use a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer (fleece or wool), and a waterproof/windproof outer layer. Bring a warm hat and gloves, and rain gear is essential. Add blaze orange if the state requires it for your hunt.
See the full Equipment List for details. Some of the more important items: a comfortable daypack that holds drinking water, sack lunch, high energy snacks, and clothing layers; quality binoculars (glassing is a huge part of elk hunting); a headlamp with spare batteries; a hunting knife; sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, a compact first-aid kit, either onX maps/GPS/compass, and a recharge battery for your phone. And remember to bring your license and tags unless the outfitter has them.
Elk hunting usually means early mornings and long days of glassing, hiking, and patience, and getting to bed late. You may spot-and-stalk, sit near feeding or watering areas, or work bugling bulls during the rut. Move quietly and always mind the wind — elk have an incredible nose and are extremely smart. Success takes patience: you might see nothing for a while, then have everything happen fast.
Manage your expectations — a wild elk hunt is challenging, and seeing few or no animals on some days is normal. Success is never guaranteed on a fair-chase hunt. Trust your guide, be honest about your physical limits, stay positive, and enjoy the experience. The country, the effort, the time outdoors, and the comradery with guides and other hunters in camp are the real rewards.
Hydrate and eat well before and during the hunt — mountain hunting burns serious energy. Tell your guide you're new; our guides will coach you and set you up for success. Ask questions — no question is a bad one. And take it all in; a first elk hunt is a memorable adventure regardless of the outcome.
Depending on which season it is and where the guides go each day, they'll probably leave about an hour or so before daylight. Most groups stay out all day unless the hunters want to return for a break mid-day. Early archery seasons have long, and sometimes hot, mid-day temperatures, so hunters may want to take a nap mid-day. Dinner is usually on the table when you get back an hour or so after dark.
Different weapons call for different preparation, skills, and hunting tactics. Here's what to focus on for each.
Rifles offer the longest effective range, so much of your success comes down to marksmanship and shot placement. Practice with the actual rifle and ammunition you'll hunt with, and sight in as your outfitter recommends (usually dead-on at 200 yards). Practice from realistic field positions — kneeling, sitting, and off shooting sticks — not just from a bench. Know your effective range and be honest about it; a clean, ethical shot matters more than a long one. A flat-shooting caliber .257 or larger (with high performing bullets — elk are big, tough animals) is important. Tactics often involve glassing open country and setting up for a shot across a canyon or opening, so being steady and ready at varied distances is key.
Muzzleloader hunting is a rewarding middle ground — more range than archery, but with a single shot and shorter effective distance than a modern rifle. Practice loading and reloading until it's second nature, and know your gun's effective range (typically closer than a centerfire rifle). Keep your powder and ignition system dry — weather protection matters. Because you usually have one shot, patience and getting closer for a high-percentage shot are essential. Practice from field positions, and understand your load's trajectory. Muzzleloader seasons often fall at different times than rifle, which can mean different elk behavior and fewer other hunters. During wet weather, discharge your weapon every evening and start with a new dry load every morning.
Bowhunting elk is the most challenging and, for many, the most exciting way to hunt them. It demands the closest shots (typically inside 60 yards, often much closer), which means your stalking, wind management, and patience have to be excellent. Practice year-round and shoot from standing, sitting, and crouching positions, including steep up- and downhill angles. Be in top physical condition — archery seasons are often in September during the rut, which means active, vocal elk, spot-and-stalk hunting, and covering ground. Unless you are going on a guided hunt, learn to call and to read elk behavior. Bring the right arrow and broadhead setup for elk (adequate penetration on a large animal is critical). The reward is close, intense encounters with bugling bulls — but it takes preparation and realistic expectations. Shot opportunities can be more frequent than rifle season for the properly prepared hunter.
Note: seasons, tags, and regulations can change yearly and vary by unit. Always confirm current details with the state wildlife agency or with Bearpaw Outfitters before your hunt.
Idaho offers some of the West's most storied elk hunting, from the timbered mountains of the north to the high desert and mixed forests of the southeast. Many outfitters have over-the-counter outfitter allocated tags, which makes Idaho attractive for hunters who want a quality elk hunt without a long draw wait. Terrain ranges from steep, timbered canyons to open ridges, so come prepared for rugged country and variable weather. Bearpaw Outfitters offer hunts in the Bannock and Bear River and Panhandle elk zones.
Montana is famous for its elk, deer, antelope, and big open country, commonly called the "Big Sky Country" — however, elk tags must be drawn for most hunts. Hunting methods often include glassing vast landscapes, hiking mountain forests, and covering ground to locate elk, with opportunities found on both public and private land. Weather can be more extreme than most states, especially later in the season, so preparation and layering are key. Montana elk hunts have been offered in various central and eastern Montana locations.
Northeast Washington offers Rocky Mountain elk in a mix of timbered mountains and farm country. A big draw here is the over-the-counter tags for elk, deer, and bear, which allows you to plan a hunt any year — there is no waiting to draw a tag. The country holds good game numbers, and the weather ranges from mild early-season days to possibly cold, wet, and snowy conditions later on. Washington elk hunts cover the northeast Washington units 101 to 124 and 204.
Common questions from hunters getting ready for an elk hunt with Bearpaw Outfitters.
Start early. Elk country is big, steep, and high, so the best preparation is hiking on hills in the boots you'll hunt in, building up to carrying a weighted pack of 20 to 30 pounds. Stair climbing or an incline treadmill helps if you don't have hills. If you're coming from low elevation, arrive a day or two early to adjust to the altitude.
See our Equipment List for the full rundown. The key items are broken-in boots, layered clothing with rain gear, a comfortable daypack, quality binoculars for glassing, a headlamp with spare batteries, a hunting knife, sun protection, a small first-aid kit, onX maps or GPS, and a recharge battery for your phone. Bring your license and tags unless we're providing them.
A flat-shooting caliber of .257 or larger with high-performing bullets is recommended, since elk are big, tough animals. Practice with the actual rifle and ammunition you'll hunt with, sight in dead-on at 200 yards, and practice from field positions such as kneeling, sitting, and off shooting sticks.
Archery elk hunting typically demands shots inside 60 yards, and often much closer. That makes stalking, wind management, and patience essential. Practice year round from standing, sitting, and crouching positions, including steep uphill and downhill angles, and be in top physical condition for spot-and-stalk hunting during the September rut.
It depends on the state. Many Idaho hunts use over-the-counter outfitter-allocated tags, and northeast Washington offers over-the-counter elk, deer, and bear tags so you can plan a hunt any year. Most Montana elk hunts require drawing a tag. Seasons and tags change yearly, so confirm current details with the state wildlife agency or with us before your hunt.
Expect early mornings, long days of glassing and hiking, and getting to bed late. You may spot-and-stalk, sit near feeding or watering areas, or work bugling bulls during the rut. Move quietly and mind the wind, since elk have an incredible nose. Success takes patience — you may see nothing for a while, then have everything happen fast.
Idaho Elk • North Idaho Elk Combo • Montana Elk • Washington Elk