First Elk hunt: Rifle, or bow?

[miket]

Im wanting to go on an elk hunt. I have never been. I figure it would be best to go guided the first time since my only elk experience is from hunting shows

I would much prefer to shoot one with my bow, I have killed a lot of deer and pigs with it, so Im experienced as far as bowhunting goes, but I figure the lack of experience with elk would be too much of a handicap.

What would yall recommend for my first?

[Colton]

Rifle

[Bort]

If you can afford it, I’d definitely hire a guide and bow hunt them. Nothing beats the thrill of sticking an arrow into a bugling bull coming into a call.

Be careful, it’s addicting. If you don’t go the guided route, I’d maybe consider learning with a rifle. Good luck!

[Bisch]

It depends how bad you want to kill an elk!

Me, I’ve been elk hunting with my bow 4 times and never even drawn back on one yet. On one of those hunts, I ended up killing an elk with a rifle just to get the meat and have something for all the money I spent (that one is a long story, and was never really a bowhunt from the start).

For me, I don’t care about killing stuff with a rifle. I want to do it with a bow. I’ve been to Africa 4 times with nothing but trad bows. Buddies told me I was crazy, but those are some of the most memorable hunts of my whole life, and my living room wall is covered with critters I got on those trips.

I guess it all comes down to what you want and whether you are willing to accept the much lower chances of a kill with the bow to possibly get the much higher gratification of a kill with the bow???

Bisch

[bugleboy]

If you’re going guided, I wouldn’t hesitate to go with a bow. Especially since that’s what you want to kill one with. Bow hunting bugling elk can be one of the most exciting experiences you’re going to find in the lower 48.

[Aggiehunter08]

If you really like to bow hunt go that route. However, have good equipment: quiet/fast bow, heavy arrows, good fixed blade bh and a reliable range finder. Be able to be deadly out to at least 40 yards.

[Traildust]

Can't get much easier than using a rifle

[miket]

Man, yall are all over the place , but I do get the point. Im sure it will be fun with a rifle, and much easier. But obviously not near as satisfying.

[pure lefty]

I’ve been 3 times, haven’t had a shot yet, prob gonna rifle hunt this fall. If you go with a guide I will tell you who not to get. Had bull at 60 yards, guide was about 75 yards below me, bull burned off, I looked back and guide was trotting uphill toward us tooting in his call. Big white beard blowing in the wind, he almost lost the beard, good thing I’m in my 60’s

[diamond10x]

It all comes down to what the experience is you’re looking for, not what random people on the internets opinion is.

Ive spent a good portion of my short life hunting elk, I’ve enjoyed every bit of it but for me there is more exciting things in the woods than elk. I also plan on taking my dad on a late season guided horseback hunt in one of several select NF or wilderness areas that he’s talked about since as long as I can remember. That will probably be the greatest elk hunting experience of my life and I doubt I’ll even be taking a weapon. As I said, it all just depends on the experience you’re looking for.

[Paycheck]

My vote would be Bow with guide.

[Pernell]

Elk are made to bow hunt!

[JES]

Bow, you may never get to go again, go big or stay home. For me it was more about the experience than the size of the trophy. I went in 2019 and got one with my bow, small 5x5, I couldn’t be happier.

Pick an area that has high numbers and ok on antler
size. Northern-Central New Mexico has this and the terrain won’t kill you if you’re not in the beat of shape.

Two things to work in preparation for the hunt 1) Fitness, get your endurance up the best you can 2) Shot distance, work on getting your confidence and consistency to shooting beyond 50 yards. You shouldn’t be the reason your hunt was unsuccessful, you have full control over that.

[wytex]

I'll be the 1st to say you don't need to shoot out to 50 yds to go bow hunting, plenty of elk get taken by trad archers every year at ranges no more than 20 yds.
Yes, longer range can help for sure.

Guided - go the archery route, you will learn a lot about elk and their habits and use that for a later DIY rifle hunt.
The rut varies so no guarantees that they will be rutting and coming to calls in Sept. though.

[Hardware]

I'll be the 1st to say you don't need to shoot out to 50 yds to go bow hunting, plenty of elk get taken by trad archers every year at ranges no more than 20 yds.
Yes, longer range can help for sure.

Guided - go the archery route, you will learn a lot about elk and their habits and use that for a later DIY rifle hunt.
The rut varies so no guarantees that they will be rutting and coming to calls in Sept. though.

I agree with this and shot distance; However, being able to shoot longer distances affords the first time bow hunter to make a mistake or two but once less than 50 yards with elk you better not make a mistake or our gonna have tag soup.