Welcome to “Hutch On Hunting “and I’m Bruce Hutcheon. During the past 4 decades I’ve had the opportunity to live and hunt the Colorado Rockies.
Over the years, I’ve seen hundreds of hunters travel to the mountains to get
their elk, only to leave disappointed.
Elk hunting in the Rockies can be a challenging and rewarding experience. New (and even
seasoned) elk hunters often make some common mistakes that can impact their
success and safety.
To help YOU avoid making those same mistakes, I’m going to
share with you the top ten mistakes and what you should do instead. Be sure to
watch until the end because number 10 could be the make or break on whether
your hunt is a good one.
1. Lack of physical preparation: Elk hunting requires hiking in rugged
terrain at high elevations. Failing to prepare physically can lead to fatigue
and reduced hunting effectiveness.
2. Underestimating the shooting distance: Beginners often misjudge
the distance between themselves and the elk, resulting in inaccurate shots and
missed opportunities.
3. Ignoring wind direction: Elk has an excellent sense of smell,
and failing to pay attention to wind direction caused by thermals can lead to
the hunter's scent being detected, causing the elk to flee.
4. Not scouting beforehand: Lack of scouting can lead to
unfamiliarity with the area, elk behavior, and potential hunting spots,
reducing the chances of success.
5. Using improper gear: Inadequate hunting gear, such as noisy
clothing or low-quality optics, can scare away elk or hinder the hunting
experience.
6. Over calling: Novice hunters sometimes overuse elk calls, which
can make elk wary and hesitant to approach.
7. Poor shot placement: Inaccurate shooting or improper shot
placement can result in wounded animals and challenging tracking scenarios.
8. Inadequate field dressing knowledge: Not knowing how to properly
field dress an elk can spoil the meat and make packing out more challenging.
Your harvest is some of the finest organic meat in the world, take care of it.
9. Lack of patience: Impatience can lead to hasty decisions and
missed opportunities. Waiting for the right shot or the right moment is crucial
in elk hunting.
10. Disregarding safety measures: New hunters may not fully
understand the potential risks associated with hunting in the backcountry.
Ignoring safety precautions can lead to accidents or getting lost.
To avoid these mistakes, new elk hunters should consider enlisting the help of
experienced guides, attending hunting workshops or seminars, and investing time
in thorough preparation and practice before heading out to the Rockies.
My first elk hunt was an archery rut hunt above Rifle Colorado with friends from Wisconsin.
I used my whitetail tactics to spot and stake a spike bull in the dark timber
and missed my shot, but I was hooked. (Thanks Dwight Schuh)
So, if YOU want to leverage my years of experience and expertise for YOUR hunt, join our
exclusive Hutch On Hunting Membership program where you can collaborate with me
1:1 PLUS get access to deep-dive training on some of the most sought-after topics relating to hunting in Colorado.
We have three membership levels to...
Feb 21 202531 mins
Jan 31 202533 mins