Western Hunter

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What do you like about elk hunting the most? I really like the challenge of elk hunting and the allure of elk themselves. Elk seem to be one of those western animals that can be hard to kill and just punching a tag in many places is seen as a feat. I also really like the fact that elk are such vocal animals. I think that communicating with them and calling to them can’t be matched. Do you prefer bowhunting or rifle hunting elk? Bowhunting! I like to hunt the rut and I like the challenge of getting close to elk. I also really like rifle hunting elk late season. I enjoy hunting elk when the elements become the harshest. Chasing elk in extremes reminds me of what a tough and resilient animal they are. How do you personally prepare for an upcoming elk hunt (physically), (gear), (shooting) I try to stay in top physical shape year round. I hate to play catch up. One thing I do in particular as the elk season gets closer is I do all my training in the mountains. I like to put on a heavy pack and try sprinting up the steepest slopes I can find. When elk hunting I find myself needing to move quickly to get into position. This is especially true during archery season. I try to get my heart rate racing as fast as I can then try to slow it down as quickly as I can while training to prepare for the real thing. I also like to shoot while I am out of breath and tired. I don’t think I have encountered many elk where I did not just beat feat up a steep slope. I think it is more important to practice shooting in the worst possible conditions because in the field more often than not, factors such as being out of breath, strong winds, rain, cold, etc. occur. On a typical elk hunt what is always in your backpack? I always carry parachute chord. I think this is a must for elk hunting. I have used it for hundreds of things. I use it to hang meat, make a tripod to shoot from, secure a shelter, fix shoe laces, making a bow release-aid when someone forgot theirs, I have even personally used it in survival situations to catch trout for lunch. I never leave home without my P-cord. I also always have a couple contractor grade garbage bags. I use them for putting meat in inside my pack so my pack does not get bloody. I have also used them for shelters, rain gear, mattress pads (after stuffing with vegetation), a seat in the snow, and a water catch or for water transport. Other than that the only things I carry are a spotting scope & tripod, knife, lighter, flashlight, water, food, some duct tape, and my cameras. I don’t like taking unnecessary stuff so I try to have as many possible uses as I can for the few items I pack. What is your favorite cow call? Bugle? I really like the diaphragm calls by Bugling Bull Game Calls. The red and brown ones are my favorite. I also really like the Carlton Calls double reed estrus whine. What do you like to do when you are not hunting? If I am not hunting then I like to go fly fishing or rock climbing. What kind of movies do you like? Comedies, I think Happy Gilmore is an all-time favorite. I also like action movies with a suspenseful plot. What is your favorite food? I really like Mexican food, especially with elk or game meat. I mainly eat game meat and enjoy cooking it myself. If I am going out to eat, I will always choose Thai or Sushi. Tell us something the readers would never guess about you? I was struck by lightning in my right leg when I was a little kid. My dad and I were both struck at the same time in our backyard. Tell us about your business and your websites? I own Montana OutWest Outfitters (www.montanaoutwest.com).  I offer elk and deer hunts in Montana as well as hunts for bear, wolf, sheep, moose and goat. It is a full service trip meaning hunters stay in my lodge and enjoy some unbeatable meals as well. We chase what I consider to be general area elk. It can be tough hunting but we have had an outstanding success record in the area. I think our success is mostly due to the fact that my guides and I are all bonifide elk nuts and will do whatever it takes to get clients on bulls. I also own an outfitting business on the South Island of New Zealand called Outland Outfitters (www.outlandoutfitters.com) where I guide hunters for free range red stag, tahr, chamois, fallow deer, small game and fishing. I spend March through the beginning of June hunting in NZ. When I am not guiding, I film my own hunts and adventures for Solo Hunters airing on the Outdoor Channel. The new episodes will begin their run this June. I have some pretty cool hunts for this season including my Alaska Dall sheep, a solo trip to the border for Javelina and Coues, Nevada Antelope, Montana Whitetail, possibly a lion, and some DIY New Zealand hunting. I really encourage everyone to check it out. It is going to be awesome and will really relate to western hunters especially. Feel free to friend me on Facebook. I also keep a blog at www.followthehunt.com you can check out some of my hunts throughout the season including new videos I post. I am generally out hunting but I am trying to get better at posting. I think hunters may enjoy what I have planned while in NZ this year. You can also check out my Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/montanaoutwest/featured. View the full article

CLICK HERE TO ORDER DVD CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO ELK HUNTER MAGAZINE View the full article

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Listen to Elk Hunter Magazine’s editor at large, Randy Ulmer, as he talks about Winners Choice bowstrings. View the full article

Photos by Wildlife Photographer Julie MayClick to view slideshow. View the full article

Come join Timberland Outfitters on a public land elk hunt in Unit 7E To Subscribe to ELK HUNTER MAGAZINE CLICK HERE View the full article

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Listen to Brad Cain’s winning performance of the 2012 RMEF Elk calling championships in the Mens Division. Click here to subscribe to ELK HUNTER MAGAZINE View the full article

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Watch 2012 RMEF World Champion Runner Up Joel Turner give his performance at the RMEF Elk Calling championships. Click here to Subscribe to ELK HUNTER MAGAZINE View the full article

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Looking back at historic elk. Click to enlarge, click again to magnify text. To Subscribe to ELK HUNTER MAGAZINE CLICK HERE View the full article

Brian Langley just won his first world elk calling title in the Professional division this weekend in Las Vegas, NV at the RMEF’s National convention. Watch his winning performance. He won the 2009 Championship in the mens category and many other different elk calling titles. Congrats to Brian Langley. View the full article

Elk Calling sounds from Elk Nut Paul Medel To Subscribe to ELK HUNTER MAGAZINE CLICK HERE View the full article

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Listen to these elk calling tips by Elk Hunter Magazine Hunting Editor Jay Scott To Subscribe to ELK HUNTER MAGAZINE CLICK HERE View the full article

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Listen to the Elk Nut’s version of estrus scream while watching a video on Wallows. To Subscribe to ELK HUNTER MAGAZINE CLICK HERE View the full article

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This article is shared from the RMEF website, you can view the original article here- http://www.rmef.org/AllAboutElk/Elk101/Teeth.htm How old is my elk?If you are one of the fortunate hunters to have killed an elk,  you’re likely curious about its age. Without the trained eye of a biologist  or a taxidermist, determining that can seem daunting.However, elk are relatively easy to age up through 3½ years,  when their incisors are still developing. After 3½, aging gets tougher, as  the incisors, molars and premolars are all fully developed. Elk chew from  side‑to‑side and slowly wear down their molars and premolars. The canines or  ivories become shorter and more rounded. The incisors, too, become shorter.  For example, the two front incisors on an 8½-year-old can have as little as ½  inch of tooth left before the gum line.If elk survive a dozen years or more, tooth wear and decaying  teeth can prevent them from getting enough forage. Eventually, they succumb  to the elements, because they can’t eat enough to take them through the  winter.How old do you think this elk is?Answer The bull attached to this jaw was a healthy 5×6, perhaps 3 ½ to 4 ½ years  old. The fully developed incisors and minimal wear on molars and premolars,  coupled with the fact he was killed in a heavily hunted area where bulls  rarely grow older than 5 ½ brought us to this conclusion. If you have a lower  jaw to your elk and would like to have it aged to the year, check out  Matson’s Laboratory (www.matsonslab.com) in Milltown, Montana  where they can age your animal using an incisor. View the full article