Elk Hunting

The skills, tips, and tactics you need for more elk hunting success.

Latest in Elk Hunting

A bowhunter with a giant Rocky Mountain bull elk.

Bowhunter with 86 Bulls to His Credit Tags a Pending World-Record Elk Bowhunter with 86 Bulls to His Credit Tags a Pending World-Record Elk

A gray wolf walks in front of an elk herd.

The Return of Wolves to Colorado Will Change Elk Hunting There. Here’s How The Return of Wolves to Colorado Will Change Elk Hunting There. Here’s How

Alex Robinson packs out sheep with one of the best hunting backpacks.

Gear

The Best Hunting Backpacks of 2025, Chosen by the Editors The Best Hunting Backpacks of 2025, Chosen by the Editors

Cow elk jump over a barbed wire ranch fence.

Big Game Hunting

Film: Public-Land Elk Hunters and Ranchers Can Be Good Neighbors. Here’s How Film: Public-Land Elk Hunters and Ranchers Can Be Good Neighbors. Here’s How

By Andrew McKean

The author tested the best elk hunting packs by carrying light and heavy loads in them.

Gear

The Best Elk Hunting Packs, Tested and Reviewed The Best Elk Hunting Packs, Tested and Reviewed

By Matt Cashell

A painted illustration of a bugling bull.

Zumbo in Idaho: Stalking a Giant Bull in the Selway Wilderness Zumbo in Idaho: Stalking a Giant Bull in the Selway Wilderness

A family of grizzly bears feeds on an elk carcass hanging from a tractor.

Hunter Criticized for Letting Grizzlies Feed on Elk Carcass Didn’t Do Anything Illegal, Officials Say Hunter Criticized for Letting Grizzlies Feed on Elk Carcass Didn’t Do Anything Illegal, Officials Say

how to call elk

How to Call Elk: Advanced Tips and Tactics How to Call Elk: Advanced Tips and Tactics

By Chad Schearer, James Brandt

What do elk eat? A lot of fresh and dried grass, like this big bull elk with a mouthful.

What Do Elk Eat? Here’s What Every Elk Hunter Should Know What Do Elk Eat? Here’s What Every Elk Hunter Should Know

By Alice Jones Webb

An illustration of two elk fighting in New Mexcio in the 1970s

Bulls of the Mescalero: A Southerner’s First Elk Hunt During the Rut Bulls of the Mescalero: A Southerner’s First Elk Hunt During the Rut

hunting the west

Are You Stoked for Your DIY Western Big Game Hunt? Here’s What the Hunting Podcasts and Influencers Don’t Tell You Are You Stoked for Your DIY Western Big Game Hunt? Here’s What the Hunting Podcasts and Influencers Don’t Tell You

By Alex Robinson

A bowhunter shoots a bull elk.

Watch: Utah Officials Reject Elk Hunter’s Claim that a Sheriff’s Deputy Stole His Bull Illegally Watch: Utah Officials Reject Elk Hunter’s Claim that a Sheriff’s Deputy Stole His Bull Illegally

The Ultimate Guide to Elk Hunting The Ultimate Guide to Elk Hunting

By Jace Bauserman, Andrew McKean

An illustration from Outdoor Life of two bowhunters shooting a bull.

My Buddy and I Shot the Same Elk — and It Turned Out to Be the Colorado State Record Bull My Buddy and I Shot the Same Elk — and It Turned Out to Be the Colorado State Record Bull

By Harry E. Troxell III

I Drew a Rare Archery Elk Tag In Kentucky and the Hunt Was Tougher Than Expected I Drew a Rare Archery Elk Tag In Kentucky and the Hunt Was Tougher Than Expected

A large elk herd on private land.

Montana Judge Says Landowners Don’t Have ‘Absolute Freedom’ to Kill Elk, and Allowing Public Hunting Doesn’t Infringe on Their Rights Montana Judge Says Landowners Don’t Have ‘Absolute Freedom’ to Kill Elk, and Allowing Public Hunting Doesn’t Infringe on Their Rights

elk on hillside bugles, standing behind two cedar trees

Breaking the Rules to Kill a Bull Elk, from the Archives Breaking the Rules to Kill a Bull Elk, from the Archives

A colorado bull elk stands in a meadow.

Colorado Eliminates Over-the-Counter Archery Elk Tags for Nonresidents Colorado Eliminates Over-the-Counter Archery Elk Tags for Nonresidents

By Natalie Krebs

The original magazine pages of the story Top Shelf Elk by Jack O'Connor.

Jack O’Connor Makes a Flawless Shot on a Record-Book Elk Jack O’Connor Makes a Flawless Shot on a Record-Book Elk

By Jack O’Connor

California Guide’s Roosevelt Elk Is a New World Record. It’s Not His First California Guide’s Roosevelt Elk Is a New World Record. It’s Not His First