Elk Hunting
Elk hunting requires intensive study and practice. Elks live in large herds in the woods, and the Rocky Mountains and hills of North America and Europe. Since they live in association with deer, they are most often mistaken by the hunters during the hunt. Elks are hunted for their meat, nutritive velvet antlers or just for the spirit of the game.
An experienced hunter should have complete knowledge of the animal he is after, the places it usually frequents and when it can be found there. Hunting by oneself is risky. It is better to be accompanied by elk hunting guides or outfitters to plan the trip or hunt in a particular area or carry a compass, to avoid getting lost in the woods.
Since elk hunting requires massive effort, it needs suitable preparations. If you are planning to be out hunting for a long time, make sure to take water with you. Wear suitable clothing and fine soled boots while hunting. Camouflage with blaze orange waistcoat and cap. Elks can detect your scent, so it is ideal to use scent eliminators. A lot of practice is required to make good elk calls to win the attention of bulls and calves.
Hunting with the traditional bow and arrow does not guarantee that the animal will be hit. Muzzle-loading rifles offer accurate placements of shots and are therefore popularly used. Always be perfectly practiced and targeted when using rifles and pistols.
An expert hunter can aim a neck shot which kills the animal right away without damaging the meat. Targeting the chest area and shoulder is considered perfect for a quick kill. It is advised to avoid head shots. Never shoot when the animal is moving. This may cause the wounded animal to flee away not to be recovered again and the hunter loses his hunt. After the shot, wait for a couple of hours to let it die before you finally claim the trophy.