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Video Taping Your Elk Hunt

Video taping your archery elk hunt is the perfect way to document your greatest moments and help you share your stories. No amount of words can match the excitement and reality of seeing the actual moment captured forever.

We have all heard the stories from other hunters, bragging about how they hit their mark and when you are the one who has the perfect kill you don’t want a single detail left out but no matter how well you explain that moment it is not the same as showing it. Your expertise and skill can be caught on tape and you can be taken as a serious sportsman when you have the video to back up the stories you tell. No one can doubt your accuracy, your ability or your remarkable story when it is right there in front of them. They can live through the moments of your greatest hunts while you relive the glory of your favourite hunting experiences when you have captured it on tape.

There are great tools to help you be able to get the best moments in the most detailed view. From cameras mounted on your bow to guides who tape your hunt, there are many great reasons to take the extra step of taping while you are hunting.

Anyone who wants to be taken seriously by other sportsman knows that it is difficult to gain respect and be considered great. A picture may say a thousand words but a video says it all. Other sportsmen will often think that it may have been a fluke, or that you just got lucky when they see the pictures of your kill, they assume you are exaggerating your skills during your story of how it all went down, but when you have a video of how you got your mark, showing every second of the drama and excitement there is no disputing how well you did. You can gain respect and be numbered among the great hunters of the group when you have the tape to prove it.

No one can argue or doubt the stories of your greatest hunts when you have a scope view tape of your marksmanship.

It can also help you to see you own skills on tape. When you are in the moment your adreneline is pumping, you are concentrating on each second of the hunt. Video taping your archery elk hunt can allow you to go back and see the things you did perfectly and the things you would have done differently. You can critique and learn from your own documentation and become a better hunter because you were smart about getting it all on tape. Not only will you gain respect for the things you do right, and be able to show your incredible skill to others but you can gain experience and help make yourself the best hunter you can be by having the tapes to review after the hunt.

Videotaping your archery elk hunt is one decision you will always be glad you made. You can’t go back and have a redo, you can’t recapture the moment of your greatest hunt but when you videotape your archery elk hunt you won’t have to worry because you will have the moments documented forever and be able to keep those memories in all their glory.

Types of Elk
Elk hunting continues to be a very popular form of hunting. Elk are big animals and the challenge of tracking them, locating them and then harvesting them is great fun for many men. Elk can be difficult to find and they can disappear very quickly. There are three main types of elk in the United States. They include the American elk, the Roosevelt Elk and the Tulle Elk.
The American elk can largely be found on the land west of the Mississippi River. American elk are also referred to as the Rocky Mountain elk. Bull elks of this type of reach weights of 800 pounds. To get some perspective, the average cow weighs around 450-500 pounds. Most American elk can be found in Colorado. There are estimates of 300,000 elk living in this state.
American elk can also be found in Arizona, New Mexico and Idaho. American elk used to be found in most places in the United States and even in some parts of Canada. However, hunters have killed most of them off and they only primarily remain in the areas west of the Rocky Mountains. Hunters will find the biggest herds near the Sun River in Montana, Yellowstone Park and the Olympic Mountains in Washington.
The Roosevelt Elk, which can reach 1000 pounds, is the biggest of all types of elk. They can found in Washington, Northern California and Oregon. The skin of the Roosevelt elk is darker then that of the Rocky Mountain elk. They are also tough to hunt because they bugle less then Rocky Mountain elk. They live in wet and rugged terrain, which make them even harder to hunt.
Roosevelt elk like to eat grass and weeds in the early part of the summer and spring. In the winter, fall and the latter part of the summer they like to eat trailing wild blackberries, maple, huckleberry and salal.
The Tulle elk is the smallest out of three elk sub-species. They generally get up to around 600 pounds. They are a beige color with dark brown mane. Both male and female Tulle elk have a similar looking mane. They have a white rump. Younger Tulle elk are spotted and are light brown in color. Tulle elk are around 7 feet long and their shoulders are about 4-5 feet high.
The female Tulle elk do not have antlers but the males do. Males do drop their antlers but they grow back bigger and with more tines as they get older. These types of elk like to get red brome, wild licorice, cheatgrass and alfalfa. Tulle elk live in central California. That is the only place that you can find them in the United States.
The three types of elk in the United States are the Tulle elk, the American elk and the Roosevelt elk. The Roosevelt elk is the biggest and can weigh in at around 1000 pounds. The Tulle elk is the smallest, with the heaviest ones only growing to be around 600 pounds. All elk live in rough terrain and can be challenging to hunt.

Types of Elk for Hunting

Elk hunting has grown to be a one of the most popular sports in U.S. today. The
elks are almost paradoxical creatures, they bugle and have very distinctive
calls, yet they can be difficult to locate and may disappear in seconds or
sneak up on hunters without making a sound. As large as they are, they can be
swift and silent as much as they can be callous and loud.

There are three subspecies of elk in North America. The most widespread of all
the elks is the Rocky Mountain Elk or as most people know it, the American Elk.
In Colorado, the largest herd of elks can be found, with over 300,000 animals
in it. A bull American elk may weigh up to 800 pounds or more while a cow
typically weighs around 450 to 500 pounds.

The population of American elk was once large in most of U.S. and Canada.
However, too many have been killed rampantly that they now survive only in
regions west of the Rocky Mountains and Alaska. The largest herds are in
Yellowstone Park, on Montana’s Sun River and the Olympic Mountains of Washington. Along the mountain ranges
of Utah they live in large numbers. In New Mexico, Arizona and Idaho, western
elk hunting has become popular. Transplanting of the American elks to states
east of the Mississippi River, including Arkansas, Kentucky, Michigan and
Pennsylvania has allowed them to have elk hunting on a limited basis.

The next type of elk is the largest of all elk species, the Roosevelt Elk. Its
mature bull can reach up to 1,000 pounds and a mature cow come up to 600
pounds. This subspecies are found in Oregon and Washington, while some can be
found in northern California and British Columbia. The Roosevelt elk is thought
to be the toughest to hunt as they don’t bugle as much as the American Elk. They are also slightly darker than the
American Elk and many inhabit can be found in the rugged and wet terrain of
Oregon’s rain forest.

The habitat and distribution of the Roosevelt Elk set them apart from the Rocky
Mountain Elk. These elks favour the logged and burnt-over areas of the coastal
mountains and the western slopes of the Cascades. Once they find a particular
area which meets their needs, they will spend their entire lives there. In late
summer, fall and winter, among their favourite food will be huckleberry,
trailing wild blackberry vine maple and other shrubs. In spring and early
summer, weeds and grasses are preferred.

Unlike the other two types of elk, the Tulle Elk can only be found in parts of
central California. It is smaller in built than the other two types. The
largest adult bull may weigh up to 600 pounds while the cow typically weighs
300 to 350 pounds. The most prominent feature of this type of elk is the white
rump.

The Tulle Elk live best in the moderate Mediterranean climate. They forage on
annual grasses such as red brome and cheatgrass, and perennial forbs such as
globe mallow and wild licorice. An important part of the herd’s diet is alfalfa.

Once, the North American Elk were considered a species separate from the
Eurasian red deer. Scientists now consider them to be the same, though the
distinctions between the two actually still live on in the different cultures
and languages.

Proper Equipment for Elk Hunting
When you are hunting for elk, it is important for you to have the right equipment. If you do not have the proper equipment, your entire trip can be a big waste of time and a huge disappointment. You may end up wet, cold and hungry. Elk harvesting can be expensive and it is likely that you have waited for this one trip all year. Don’t blow it by being unprepared.
You will need to have a proper place to sleep, equipment and utensils to cook with as well as a purifier to clean your water. In this article, we will take a look at some of the basic, equipment requirements for a successful and safe elk hunt.
One of the first things that you will need to purchase is a good, quality tent. Don’t skimp here. While hunting, you will want and need to keep the elements out. Getting rained or snowed out would be a miserable way to spend your hunting trip. A good tent will cost you a few hundred dollars. This may seem like a lot, however, if you keep it for several seasons and it serves it function, it will more then pay for itself. When picking out a tent, look for one that has a good rain fly. A good rain fly will help keep snow and rain from getting inside the tent.
Even though you will have a tent, you will also need a sleeping bag. Choose a sleeping bag that will be able to keep you warm in temperatures lower then 20 degrees. Although, you will want a warm sleeping bag, you will want one that isn’t too heavy. You will have to carry it around during your trip. When you are hiking for miles, you will want your load to be a light as possible. Shoot for one that is around 3-4 pounds.
You will need to cook during your elk hunting expedition. A woodstove that doubles as a cooking stove is a good choice. You may also choose a propane stone instead. Again, consider the weight of your stove. It will cost more to purchase a lighter stove, but it will be a much more pleasant trip, because your load will be lighter.
Making sure that the water you drink is purified is also a necessity. Being forced to drink dirty water and the ensuing illness that will likely occur, might have you wishing for the nearest hospital and running toward the nearest bushes your entire trip. To avoid this, buy water purifying tablets or purchase a lightweight, portable purifier.
Besides water, you will also need food. Bring along plenty of foods with protein so that you have the energy to hunt. If you do not eat properly, you will be too tired to hunt. Trail mix, beef jerky (or whatever kind you like), trail mix, oatmeal are all good choices.
Make sure that you also bring along bags to keep your game in, a GPS system so that you don’t get loss, a compass and a first aid kit. You will also want to bring along a phone.

Preparing to Hunt Elk
Before one goes hunting for elk, it is important that they get prepared. This includes not only having the correct gear but also preparing themselves physically. An out of shape hunter will have a hard time not only harvesting elk but also keeping up with the group.
It is very difficult to just up and decide to go elk hunting on a whim without proper preparation. The likelihood that you will successfully harvest an elk would be very slim. Elk hunting is tough. Elk reside in terrain that is rough and it is very difficult for hunters to track and catch them if they are not in good physical shape and who do not have the right equipment.
For elk hunters who plan on heading west for hunting season, purchasing a back pack, filling it with your supplies and hiking in areas around your home, is a good way to get yourself into shape. Many hunters do not understand the importance of being in shape. In fact, they do not even think about it until they are trying to hunt and find themselves exhausted and unable to keep up.
Elk hunters will have to do a lot of walking. However, the walking is different then what one might do in their own neighborhood or while hunting for deer or other animals. Deer hunting and walking around your neighborhood typically involves walking on flat, level surfaces. The opposite is true for elk hunting. Elk hunting requires walking in mountainous and hilly terrain.
To get your body ready for elk hunting you will need to hike up some mountains in your area or steep hills will do if you do not live around any mountains. To best simulate elk hunting, walk with a high quality backpack on.
To get prepared, most hunters will need to carry a back pack that weighs at least 30 pounds. The pack should carry all of the gear that will be needed on a hunting trip. Hiking with this amount of weight, 3-4 days a week, should help you get prepared for hunting. Other individuals will not only need to start hiking and engaging in other physical activity so that they can get into shape but may also need to lose some weight. The lighter you are, the less weight you will have to carry around while hunting. You want to be able to actively hunt and not sulk around at the base camp.
Elk live in places where the air can be thin. It might be hard for people who are not used to the high altitude and thinner air to adjust. Therefore, preparation is key. While training, make sure that you focus on breathing through your nose and not your mouth. This causes your lungs to work harder and will get them ready for the thinner air.
Try some speed training as well, as this will cause your lungs to work hard. Sprint up some hills around your house or at a local high school stadium stairs. Your doctor may also be able to help you. Ask for medication that will help you breath easier in high altitude. Before you begin any exercise plan, make sure that you speak with your doctor and request a physical.

Prepare for your First Elk Hunt

Extreme elk hunting is a lot of work, but it can be highly enjoyable and memorable even if you arrive back home empty handed. If you’re planning your first extreme elk hunting expedition, spend time researching the area where you will be hunting. Look online for pictures, look at maps, and if you know someone who has hunted elk in that area, talk to them about it. They can offer you valuable insight that you can’t get from maps and photos. If you have the opportunity to take a pre-hunt camping trip in late October or November to the area you plan to hunt, it can be very valuable for getting a feel for the land.

Studying the land and talking to people who know the land is a great step towards mentally preparing yourself for the hunt. But you also have to become physically prepared. Elk live in tough terrain, and extreme elk hunting is physically demanding.

As soon as you make your plans for extreme elk hunting, you should purchase a high quality backpack if you don’t have one and start hiking carrying it on your back. Increase the weight in your backpack as your stamina and strength improve. During the hunt, you’ll be hiking a few miles off-road. Walking a few miles in the mountains is much more physically demanding than walking a few miles on gentle or flat terrain. If you are able, hike the steepest hills in your area up and down, carrying your backpack. Work up to where you can carry 30 lbs. in the backpack.

You can collect your gear in the backpack and hike with it on your back, fully loaded a few times a week. Your leg muscles and back muscles will appreciate your preparation. Unless you’re already a fit athlete, if you don’t you practice carrying your gear up and down hills before your hunt, you could spend a lot of the time sitting around in your elk camp rather than actually hunting elk. Another factor that can cause problems in extreme elk hunting for those who do not live in a mountainous area is that hiking at high altitudes is physically harder than hiking at lower altitudes because the air up high is thinner. You can strengthen your lungs for the task by sometimes running sprints up hills (without your backpack) or riding a bicycle up hills as fast as you can.

As far as equipment goes, you’ll of course need your rifle and other gear specific to extreme elk hunting, but you’ll also need good quality camping equipment. A good four-season tent can be expensive, but if it is designed to keep rain and snow out of the tent, you will be glad you have it in that situation. Wet sleeping bags are not comfortable.

Speaking of sleeping bags, choose one that is rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and is lightweight. Again, the extra money you spend on a good, lightweight sleeping bag can be money well spent.

A collapsible wood stove or a lightweight propane stove will be necessary for cooking in the elk camp. Again, lightweight is better. A good, lightweight stove can boil water in a matter of minutes. Water will have to be purified. You can use a purifier that you dip into a stream before pumping the water through several filters. You can also purchase iodine tablets that purify water. Skipping this step can make your hunting experience very unpleasant.

Food should ideally be both lightweight and high in protein. You cannot skimp on calories when extreme elk hunting. It is a physically demanding activity. Lightweight snacks like trail mix, beef jerky, and protein bars are good to have. You should have a hot meal once a day. Oatmeal, freeze dried foods, and ramen noodles are good choices that are easy to prepare.

Other gear you’ll need includes a GPS and a compass (in case the GPS stops working), a first aid kit, and a satellite phone, which can be rented, and which can be a good thing to have in extreme elk hunting, particularly if you get hurt.

Another few words of advice on mental preparation for an extreme elk hunting: the success rate is low – sometimes 20% or less, so you may well go home without a bull, but that’s OK. You’ll increase your chances by getting into physical shape, researching the area in which you plan to hunt, practicing your calling techniques, and asking your self a few “what if” questions to prepare yourself. “What if my tent has a hole?” “What if I sprain an ankle?” and, of course, “What if I see an elk?” Mentally rehearsing various scenarios is beneficial in preparing yourself for the actual event.

History of Elk Hunting

For as long as man has co-existed with animals on this earth, hunting has always been part of human nature. It started as a biological need to survive; for food and skin to satisfy hunger and give shelter. In the years that the world has changed, so has the nature of hunters and the hunted. Man no longer hunt for basic needs; hunting has become a need for adrenaline rush, for alternative sporting activity and for trophy hunting. Hunting for meat is no longer the strongest reason for elk hunting.

Elk hunting dates back to the times of the natives of North America. Amongst the native North Americans, wapiti or the American elk, was a good source of lean meat and was almost always in abundance. Hunting in the traditional way meant brandishing weapons such as the long spear, bow and arrows. Apart from that, short hunting knives were used in the actual killing and meat-skinning process.

The Native Americans, and also the Alaskans, used to hunt in a small group and would pick-up the trail of a herd, stalk the potential elk and eventually find the best opportunity to kill it, without disturbing much of the herd’s activity. As silent as the elks could be, the hunters would be more stealth-like. The success rate of their hunts were monumental, yet their kill was very well-targeted, accurate and almost always for the sole purpose of feeding the tribe or getting specific parts. The Native Americans were not known to indulge in hunting for pleasure.

Hunting elk had been a large part of the Native American communities’ culture. In a lot of ways hunters were regarded very highly as they fulfilled the needs of their tribe through hunting activities. The meat from hunts would be distributed amongst the tribal members, leftovers dried and preserved to tide them through the harsh winters.

The skills and culture of hunters of the olden days were recorded and it is noted that hunting took place on a very regular basis. However, it has been duly noted that none of the hunting activities the traditional way actually created any imbalances in terms of herd population in any particular area. With the introduction of new and more lethal weaponry over the past century, there has been an increase in sport-hunting of elks in all areas of elk population.

Weapons such as rifles and shot guns, on top of the bows and arrows created a new breed of hunters. They were now better equipped not only with weapons, but navigational tools. Not only did it mean there were more hunters, it also meant that there were more attempts at hunting elks, some successful and others not. This meant a higher number of weapon-related injuries to the elk population and a slight increase in displacement of elk population in the wilderness.

Nowadays, with the advent of better weapon and navigational technology as well as camping and survival gear, elk hunting has evolved far beyond a mere hunting activity. Demands for lean elk meat remain constant throughout the year. Trophy hunters seek out the best opportunities and best bull elks to fulfill their passion. With legalized and licensed hunting legislated in U.S. states with elk population, elk hunting is business.

It is now common for game farmers to breed and raise elks in enclosures for the sole purpose of allowing hunting within them. Although elk hunting has existed historically for centuries, it has taken on new meaning in the last few decades.

Get into an adrenaline pumping adventure with elk hunting

If you have been fascinated by hunting, then do not let your dream pass you by while you remain in your work-rut. Instead, start out with an exciting hunting adventure. You can surely get into an adrenaline pumping adventure with elk hunting even if you do not have any experience, as there are people out there that offer their experienced services to newcomers so as to quickly turn novices into expert hunters.

Elk hunting is an invigorating sport that requires patience along with a steady hand and a passion for hunting big game. Elk might look intimidating but they are also experts in camouflage and can bolt quickly on hearing any unnatural sound. It can be great fun to stalk an elk or lie in wait for that perfect ambush before you pull the trigger of your gun or let loose an arrow from your bow and nail a huge bull. There are various types of elk in the USA such as the Roosevelt elk that is indeed huge in size, the American elk that is slightly smaller but found in abundance, and the Tulle elk that is only found in California. These elks can weigh between 350 to 1000 pounds based on their lineage and their status in the herd.

Although most people perceive elk hunting as simply pointing a gun or bow and shooting, in reality it is much more than that. You will need to identify elk trails and wait patiently near such trails or near sources of water where elk converge to quench their thirst. You will also need to equip yourself with various equipment such as a gun or a bow, a tent and a sleeping bag both of which can withstand cold and rain, along with food and water, a satellite phone, and of course a first-aid kit. You can rent most of these items and will need to make your own food dishes while purifying water from a lake or stream as you will not be able to carry or store these items for a longer period. You will also require bug repellants, hunting boots and camouflage clothing to creep up to an elk without spooking it.

You can engage in elk hunting in several states such as Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Idaho, Michigan, Kentucky, Central and Northern California, and also in Yellowstone Park. You can simply locate hunting experts that will take care of all your needs right from arranging for accommodation, eating, hunting, etc. You can also locate online firms that offer such services along with personalized guides so that you remain safe and yet have fun while hunting. You can also bring your children to such hunts and watch them get excited whilst stalking and hunting these elusive creatures. You should ensure that your chosen guide or service provider has all the necessary licenses and permits for elk hunting.

Instead of admiring elk trophies mounted on other people’s walls, you can start out in your own elk hunting adventure by hiring the right experts that can take care of all your needs related to hunting elk. You can also bring your kids along so that they too can enjoy the outdoors and watch you develop those hunting skills. You are sure to find a location near your own city that allows hunting elk legally by visiting online sites that offer such services and getting that adrenaline rush that you always dreamt about.