Elk hunting is hard. They aren't as easy to stalk and kill as other deer species. Being successful requires intense preparation and planning. It's physically taxing, with long periods of sitting in one spot and walking long distances - so rest up.

Half the battle in all hunting is keeping your head in the game. Hours and hours in the field can cause your mind to drift. You have to be mentally prepared for things to change in an instant. Stay present in the moment. You don’t have to get ready when you stay ready.

The darker the night, the more daytime activity you tend to see from elk. This means on a full moon, expect to find success hunting closer to the elk's bedding areas and less success hunting travel corridors. One exception is that if there is significant overcast weather; the moon phase may have less impact.

Any good hunter knows that patience is key. There's no need to make those calls straight out of the gate. Whether it be bugling with a reed call or making cow sounds, less can be more. Find your prize bull, cut the distance, then you can go to calling.

All elk communicate - a lot. Some elk sound “big,” some sound “small.” Unfortunately, some hunters only rely on communicating to succeed. You won’t truly know until you have actual eyes on the animal. I’ve wasted countless hours chasing rag horn bulls that sound exactly like a 400” granddaddy. It’s deceiving and can be costly on a limited day hunt.

Another common mistake I and many others made is not realizing how great elk can smell. They don’t catch a whiff of your scent and stare like a deer does - they bolt. One scent and it’s game over. Personally, I don’t use scent blockers. I just keep a wind puffer at all times and focus on the wind at my face.