Table of Contents

Preface vii

Introduction xi

I Of Elk, Elk Country, and Elk Hunting 1

1 Understanding Elk 2

2 Elk Habitat 17

3 Elk Hunting State by State 47

4 Hunting Strategy 70

5 Scouting: Location in the Most General Sense 76

6 Location 84

7 Stalking Techniques 113

8 Introduction to Tactics 139

9 Making the Kill 159

10 Recovery of the Kill 195

II Skills and Gear 213

11 Safe and Confident Movement in Elk Country 214

12 Making the Kill with the Rifle 240

13 Making the Kill with the Bow 292

14 Equipment for Field Dressing and Preserving the Kill 308

15 Clothes for Elk Hunting 313

16 Personal Gear 330

17 Old Tom's Quick 'n' Easy Camp Provisioning and Rough 'n' Ready Camp Cooking 340

18 Physical and Mental Conditioning 349

III Arranging your Hunt 357

19 Outfitters and Related Arrangements 358

20 Pack Camps: A Step Back in Time 370

21 Horseback Riding and Related Advice 396

22 Deluxe Hunting Arrangements: Deluxe Camps, Lodges, Tribal Hunts, and Foreign Hunts 415

23 Hunting on Your Own 421

24 Intangibles 432

25 Designing Your Elk Hunt 447

26 Making Arrangements for the Elk Hunt 462

Conclusion 470

Acknowledgments 471

Index 472