Elk Hunting 2008

Hunting elk can be one of the toughest hunts a hunter will experience because of the terrain elk live in.

As elk hunting has gained popularity over the last couple decades, bulls have become increasingly call shy. Mature bulls often run away from elk bugles instead of running towards them. Many seasoned veteran elk hunters no longer use bugle calls, especially if they are after a large bull. Often the best method to harvest large bulls is spotting and stalking the bull.

When preparing physically for an elk hunt, it is important to realize that elk live in the high country where the air is often thin. It can be very difficult to prepare eastern lungs for western air, but there are a few things hunters can do. When training, hunters need to breathe as much as possible from their nose and keep their mouth closed. This makes lungs work harder and helps prepare them for the hard breathing they will encounter out west. They can also run very fast up side hills for short distances or ride a bike uphill as fast as they can for short distances to strengthen their lungs. Another option is seeing a doctor and taking pills that help them breathe better at high elevation.

Pat Munday went on an elk hunt and took some amazing pictures for us to see.