Success rates when hunting for elks depend on the types of gear you carry for the adventure. Elks have acute senses of smell and hearing and can easily escape whenever they notice something unique and different. Therefore, you must select the gears correctly and carry only the essentials to avoid baggage and loads that will hamper your hike through the woods.

There are many hunting gears one can include for elk hunting, and eventually, you may have too many suppose you do not have a packing list. Therefore, before packing, you need to establish factors such as the environment, the purpose of each gear, and the essentiality. Carry only the most essential items and those suitable for the terrain. Extra items will be an unnecessary burden.

1.Hunting Rifle and Ammunition

The secret to a one-time and perfect shot is having the right rifle and positioning yourself in the right place. A rifle should be the first elk hunting gear to pack or set aside. There are many rifle options for hunting elks; hence you should select carefully.

Ensure your rifle is up to the task, and if not, consider buying another one week before the hunting adventure. A good rifle should be lighter to carry and maneuver easily in the woods. It should offer the perfect shot for short or long-range targets with minimal noise to avoid scaring your target.

Focus on the cartridge to ensure the gun has enough power and velocity to hit the target at a longer distance with maximum impact. Not all rifles will be suitable for all environments; there are those excellent for mountains, while others may be perfect for plains. The difference lies in the power factor, optics, and cartridges. 

Do frequent tests and modify the rifle settings to ensure it is perfect for the job. While packing, disassemble carefully to avoid interfering with settings such as line of sight.

2.Spotting Scope

As you prepare your rifle for elk hunting, you should include the right scope and ensure your rifle can accommodate the scope. Try different scopes or select the best one for your gun before heading out. Finding the proper scope can be challenging since the market has different scopes.

Select the best scope based on different selection features and factors. First, ensure your scope has an accurate magnification to enable you to see from afar hence the perfect aim and shot. Ensure the scope has multi-coating so the elk do not spot you from afar.

Before hunting, ensure the scope resists severe weather conditions such as rainfall and fog. Finally, the visuals should be clear, meaning the glass and lenses should be high quality, dust-resistant, and scratch resistant.

3.Navigation and Communication Devices

Walking alone in the woods can be cumbersome, and sometimes you will lose directions as you trail and look for the elks. The footsteps can help you decide which directions die the elk move; however, you need to ensure you find your way back from the hunt.

The navigation devices are not meant for elk spotting but to help you trace your way in the mountains and the woods. Mobile phones may not be necessary since they are vulnerable to weather conditions. Sometimes, the noise can disrupt the elks, especially when someone calls you when you are closer to the animals.

Carry a handheld GPS device that will record your movement and redirect you back after you are done with the hunt. Instead of the phone, you can carry a weather-resistant smartwatch and walkie-talkie when hunting as a team.

4.Hunting Clothes

Many companies currently produce different clothing for hunting. However, not all will ensure the cloth is suitable for hunting episodes. The best clothing for hunting should have certain features:

First, focus on comfort. It should have a proper aeration system to keep the body cool when hunting on sunny days. For winter hunting, select warm clothes such as full-body suits, shirts, pants, and jackets to ensure you keep warm.

A good hunting cloth should help you camouflage perfectly in the woods and plains. Therefore, other colors, such as black, should not be ideal unless they are inner body suits, and you should only put on blacks for winter hunting episodes.

Other features also include anti-odor. Elks have a perfect sense of smell and can easily detect a unique scent from far and run. The hunting cloth you select should have moisture-wicking capabilities to absorb the sweat and proper aeration to ensure freshness. Ensure you have the right boots, hats or caps, gloves, and other protective gear.

5.Elk Calls

Tracking elks on mountainous and woody landscapes can be challenging. Instead of tracking the elks using their footsteps, you can monitor their location using these calls. The calls can help you draw closer to their sites and then draw them toward you to get a perfect shot.

When selecting the calls, ensure you focus on the different integrated sounds. The sounds should be natural and emulate calls to express circumstances such as fighting cows, raging bulls, etc. Secondly, ensure the range is longer to reach bulls and cows with minimal interference. Modified calls can also be an excellent option to include other special features to capture attention.

Conclusion

When going hunting, select your gears based on priority and their purposes. First, choose the rifles and protection gear to ensure safety when hunting the elks. Next, consider navigation devices and scoping equipment, then add other items you may need, such as backpacks.