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Jul 07, 2013 Badlands Packs by: NIck I own two packs from Badlands, The Sacrifice and a day pack (can't remember the name) I love both. I used the Sacrifice last year on a 6 day DIY backpack hunt and the Sacrifice worked great to hold all of my gear and food for 6 days. The straps on it allow you to cinch it down so that it doubles as a day pack. For this reason I like it better than the Badlands 2800 and it is also much lighter than the 2800. I have not hauled meat in it yet, but it did very nice with my gear that weighted 42bls. I have had it for two years and I like it so much I use it on back packing trips with the kids during the off season and it is not showing any signs of wear. One problem, if you are less than a 34 inch waist you may have a problem tightening the waist strap because of the belt pockets.

Apr 20, 2013 Very steep country by: John There are not a lot of elk in this area. You will need to hunt long and hard. I've hunted elk in several other states and north Idaho is the toughest of them all. You won't hear many bugles. Keep the wind in your face and stay as scent free as possible (take showers everyday). I've harvested elk in north Idaho, but they are few and far between (and I know the areas I hunt well). Be prepared to get your meat out as fast as you can. If you have any more questions, email me at osagemann@yahoo.com

Feb 07, 2013 Backpack for Hunting by: Dave, ElkHuntingTips.net Casey, the writer of these two pages: BackCountry Hunting and Backpack Hunting uses a Badlands 2800 backpack for extended days in the mountains. He explains how to pack it most efficiently and what to pack.

Feb 07, 2013 Thanks for the info by: Joe Thanks for the advice. I'm glad I got seven months to prepare for this. Anyone have any thoughts on Badland Packs. Was thinking of picking one up soon. Thanks again

Feb 04, 2013 Preparing for First Elk Hunt by: Dave, ElkHuntingTips.net You're spot on Jarrod. Especially the points about practicing and also just enjoying the hunt. Practicing under hunting conditions helps. Like with a pack on, at least a few times, and on slopes, etc.

Feb 04, 2013 Advice from a fellow Cheesehead! by: Jarrod First off congrats on deciding to hunt elk. If you put in an honest effort preparing for your hunt you will enjoy it even if you don't harvest an animal. I have hunted elk twice and am looking to head west again for my third hunt this year. What I learned from my first hunt: 1)Get in shape - Cardio and strength. First hunt enjoyable but by the end I was shot. Second hunt I was in much better shape and enjoyed my time both in the woods and back at camp. You can put on a lot of miles looking for elk.2)Go prepared- good food and clothing for nearly any condition. Last year in Montana we went from sunny and 60 degress to 20 inches of snow in about 2 days. 3)Good shoe leather - Don't get cheap here. Get something waterproof with good traction and make sure it fits you well. Get them early so that you can break them in before heading west. 4)Practice, Practice, Practice w/whatever your weapon of choice is. Hunt #1 we saw elk and I managed to harvest a nice bull - easy, huh? Well, hunt #2 I saw no elk until the morning we left to come back home. My point is good opportunities can be far and few between, don't waste the good ones. In my opinion if you do these four things, the rest of the hunt will take care of itself and you will have a wonderful hunt. Did I miss anything fellas?

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Go to Forums

Forum Topic Discussions:

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How often should I use my cow call?, I am new to the sport of bow hunting elk and my question is how often should I use my cow calls?

295 yard kill with a Kimber Montana 325 WSM, by Don from Dallas: My ELk did not even twitch once. He was dead when he hit the ground.

325 WSM is worth considering, Palmer Lake,CO: I believe that the .325 WSM is the ultimate elk caliber...

30-30 for Elk? : I have a 30 30 with 170 grain round nose bullet. Will this work to shoot an elk ?

(More comments about Best Elk Rifle below)

Submissions

Unique Elk Talk by Idaho Steve (Hailey, Id ), In the middle of the night, a herd of elk came traveling through the drainage and right past my tent...

Smelly Elk Areas? by Jimmy (New Mexico), I've come across many areas that just stink of elk, literally. I have heard two somewhat contradictory stories...

DIY Gear List Must Have's! by Craig (Florida) "Here are some of the items I use on my DIY hunts in the CO backcountry..."

Elk and Deer Hunting and Mountain Bikes, by Skip Shepherd (Tucson, AZ)~ At 67 I am thinking a lot about investing in a mountain bike to get back into remote areas...

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Solo archery hunting -- tips for calling/set up?, by Idaho Steve (Hailey, ID )~ I hunt by myself a lot...I'd love to hear your thoughts on strategic set-ups when solo hunting and calling.

Non- Lead Bullets for Elk?, by Dave, Elk Hunting Tips.Net (Garrison, MT)~ What do you ballistics guys think about the use of non-lead bullets for elk? According to this story...

Rage Broadheads by Chris, ...my buddy gave me a rage practice tip and when I shot it you could not pick out the broadhead from the field points. I was sold...

Recent Submissions:

Finally filled the freezer..., Colorado Rockies~ "I was bummed when I got to the property and no elk, nor any hoof prints in the snow. ...I pulled each of the elk into shade then started gutting..."

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Wounded Veteran Elk hunts, by Joshua FL), I am a disabled veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and have always dreamed of hunting elk. I am posting this to see if anyone would know of any elk hunts free to disabled vets....

First Elk with a Bow, by Ryan H. (Colorado), ...Finally after many years of hunting with a bow "I got er did"!

First Elk!, by Tater (Sheridan, Arkansas) I took the advice I received from this website and was successful…I wanted to Thank You and Your Forum and the folks that share on here for the knowledge and information that helped me find an elk I was quite happy with.

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Questions

Any success in Unit 14?, by: Dave (MI), "I'm planning on doing a DIY in Unit 14 for 2012..."

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Share Elk Hunting Secrets

Bugle in Herd bulls, by Swiltbank (Az) The key to calling in a herd bull is to get into his bedding grounds and threaten his herd. Start off sounding like…

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Best Big Game Rifle?

Best Rifle Caliber?, by Buglemup (Superior, MT), "I've been reading what people have been writing about rifle calibers and here is what 16 years of guiding elk has taught me."

7mm Remington Magnum, by Dean (Helena, MT. USA) I use my Liberty Ruger M77, 7mm Rem. Mag. for antelope, deer, elk... Comment: "What do you guys think about the idea of hunting elk with a 270? I also know a guy who kills elk with a 243."

338 Marlin Express, "Light, fast shooting, hard hitting, manageable recoil, and for a lever gun - very accurate."

Guns I like for Elk, by Mountain Walker (Kootenays east B.C. Canada),"I think the gun you shoot Elk with should be one you shoot a lot with... "

.35 Remington, by Bill Smith "...my .35 Rem appears to have dropped a medium deer flawlessly, but I now have serious doubts as to its capability to take an elk."

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Arizona Elk Hunting

Where to hunt in Az unit 3B?, by Cliffjumper (Tucson, Az) ~ I got a late bull muzzle loader hunt in Arizona unit 3b. Does anyone know how to hunt bulls in the late season?...

First time elk hunter hunting Arizona unit 6A , by Rob Marchio (Omaha, Ne)~ I'm a first time elk hunter hunting Arizona's unit 6A. I'm planning on staying in the Pine Grove campground...

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Elk Hunting Colorado

Help needed for 1st DIY Hunt w/Son, by Patrick (Parker, CO), "I was looking for some advice on my 1st DIY hunt for 2014 in CO with my 13 yr old son. I have countless hrs going over stats, topo maps & Google Earth"

Elk Hunting Colorado in 2013, By William (Midland, TX) "I am planning an elk hunt next year in Colorado and I wanted to know if hunting Gunnison National Forest..."

Unit 60 Elk 4th Rifle Season Nov 13-17 Either Sex 2013, By Chester "...Any general advice about the unit would be appreciated!"

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Idaho Elk Hunting

Elk Hunting Idaho Unit 8 8A 11, This is my first year seriously trying to track down some elk. Is there anyone that has hunted in any of these units and can give me some friendly advice? Mitchell, Moscow Idaho

Elk Hunting Pocatello by Cameron (Pocatello) Where is the best place to elk hunt around Pocatello, Idaho? I'm a student at ISU and I'm looking for somewhere around here to hunt next season.

How is the elk hunting in unit 30A in Idaho?, by Terry (Richland Center, WI) Has anyone archery elk hunted in unit 30A in Idaho? What can you tell me about the area?

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Elk Hunting In Montana

Hunting in Western Montana, by Mike A. (Alabama)

I did not draw a tag for Missouri breaks where I have hunted in the past. Having to start over and try western Montana.

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New Mexico Elk Hunting

New Mexico Unit 49, by Silas (Los Alamos, NM)

If anyone has tips on areas to start scouting, I'd really appreciate it.

First Elk Hunt First Elk Hunt, by Big "R" (NM)

I finally got drawn for a late elk hunt in Unit 28, north of Road 506 and south of the boundary line of the Lincoln National Forest...

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Elk Hunting Nevada

Cow elk in Nevada's unit 222:

"Any good places known in unit 222?"

Northeast Nevada Early Elk hunt, by John (Carson City,NV)

"Any suggestions on what areas I may see some signs of elk?"

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Questions from Novice Hunters

Retired USMC MSgt Needs Advice, by Ken Wing USMCRET (Bealeton, Va)

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Big Game Recipes

Popcorn VenisonPopcorn Venison with Maple Syrup?

Elk or Venison Steaks Grilled to Perfection Here's how to turn them into steakhouse steaks!

Spice-Crusted Grilled Venison Roast Recipe This Spice-Crusted, Grilled Venison Roast recipe works great for any red meat roasts, including elk, deer or beef roast...

Corned Elk Recipe You can easily make corned venison and elk, moose or corned beef from these instructions...