If you haven’t bow hunted for elk yet, beware of the Archery Elk Flu…. it is a growing epidemic sweeping the West! If you catch it, you’re gonna need to know some archery elk hunting tactics. These include: learning how to hunt mature, age class bulls and ambushing strategies.

Advanced Archery Elk Hunting Tactics

To successfully and consistently kill age class bulls, you need to learn some elk hunting basics.

Get away from people.
At the end of the day the wind is key to everything “elk”. Control your scent and learn how to use thermals.
Mature bulls bugle regularly all day. Remember that, and practice with your elk calls during the off season.
Know your hunting area intimately.
Some hunters feel that bedding area is sacred and not to be messed with. Bold hunters will get on the same elevation and sneak in on a bull in his bed if the wind is right.
Chasing a bull is a waste of time. Be patient, they aren’t going anywhere…. unless you are hunting agricultural area or there is a lot of pressure.
Every bull will come in screaming if you hit him at the right time.
Use your nose. When you smell a bull, get your bird dog on and use the wind.
Be ready for any and every opportunity.
Be set up prior to any calling settings. Check lanes so you don’t get caught with your pants down.
Bugle to find bulls as opposed to cow calling.
Match your bugle to the class of bull you are targeting.
Listen to podcasts to learn archery elk hunting tactics from seasoned hunters.
When you get close, use the “far away bugle”.
Stop calling once they get so close that you’re going to get caught (if you are solo hunting).
Learn how to ambush elk.
Having the right elk hunting gear is important, but nothing will replace time in the field.
There are some very affordable, high success guided archery elk hunts out there.
Hopefully, now you’ll need to learn patience so that you can wait on your taxidermist.