Elk

[Tanner..h1t,th3]

i live in alberta and was wondering some things about elk hunting. (ive never hunted elk before). where should i start? what caliber is enough for an elk, is there any special licenses needed in alberta to hunt elk? thank you :)

[mcreg]

Resident tags are over the counter for the most part but check with F&G for the area you're huning in. As for fire power. .270/7mm and up all work fine. But think about giving Archery a try, up close and personal is a real RUSH! and you'll hit the peak of the rut. Good hunting.

[Tanner..h1t,th3]

thanks! ive been wanting to try archery! it seems like it would be a great experience.

[alpineguy]

Elk hunting is second only to sheep hunting IMO. I would go with a 7mm or larger but a 270 works well with good shot placement.
They can be very illusive for such big animals and they are big. If your hiking in somewhere make sure you can get the animal out before you pull the trigger. I have had several guys approach me for help (with my horses) after they dropped an elk and then realized how monumental a task it was to pack it out.
Start looking in high quality feed areas like grassy slopes (mountains and foothills) hay fields (farmlands). Do alot of spotting early and late in the day to locate them. If not pressured they will usually hang around a food source for consecutive days before moving on.
Learn to call, cow call 1st then bugling. It works!

Good Luck...it's a blast!!

[Mike_W]

i live in alberta and was wondering some things about elk hunting. (ive never hunted elk before). where should i start? what caliber is enough for an elk, is there any special licenses needed in alberta to hunt elk? thank you :)

You can buy general tags in many zones however there are some that are on special draw and cows too are on special draw......Many zones are general during archery season (Bull and Cow) and turn into draw during rifle.

Elk are tough animals that run when they are hit...not like a moose that will just stay in the area.

Make sure you hit them in the lungs and they will never make it far, neck shots and frontal shot are not reccomended for elk at all.
270 Win / 308 Win and up will do the trick.

If your interested in calling go buy a call tomorrow and start practising I get a kick out of guy that buy a call the week before hunting season and go out and try and call game.

Elk are Smart!!
Mike

[Tanner..h1t,th3]

thanks! haha ive been practicing for a while for just that reason! someone recomended to me .300 win mag would that be too much?

[moosehunter3-0]

thanks! haha ive been practicing for a while for just that reason! someone recomended to me .300 win mag would that be too much?

A .300 isn't too much for the elk, you can't really have too much gun. 308 norma doesn't recoil much, neither does the 7mm rem mag if you wanted to try them out.

[Mike_W]

A .300 isn't too much for the elk, you can't really have too much gun. 308 norma doesn't recoil much, neither does the 7mm rem mag if you wanted to try them out.

X2
The 300 Win Mag is arguably the best north american cartridge......It won't be to much for the elk but might be to much for you. If you are not comfortable shooting a gun you will never be as good of a shot as you could be.

[pseelk]

If you are only 16,chances are a 300 might be to much gun for youin the recoil department.Once you develope a flinch from the recoil it is very difficult to correct.I would recommend a 7 mag.Good luck with your choice.