Elk Hunting in the Mountains

Checklist for Elk Hunting in the Mountains of Colorado

Hunt elk in Colorado, where the plentiful population is estimated at nearly 300,000 by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Colorado is home to a third of all the wild elk in North America, twice as many as other states. Increase your chances of joining the 50,000 fall hunters who take home an elk with proper preparation for elk hunting in the Mountains of Colorado.

How to Choose a Tactical Scope

Tactical scopes are used for long-range target shooting and hunting. A tactical scope enhances target size through the optics, allowing for more accurate shots. Several factors come into play when choosing a tactical scope . Consider your quarry, typical weather conditions for the area and the make and model of rifle. Take into consideration the eye piece, windage, elevation adjustments and ocular lenses when choosing a tactical scope.

San Juan Mountains Cow Elk Hunting

The San Juan Mountains of Colorado are a popular destination for big-game hunters. Cow elk generally yield more tender meat than trophy bulls. Familiarize yourself with Colorado Division of Wildlife regulations, the area and your equipment. You can also hire a guide.

Diseases in Elk Meat

Hunters travel to the mountains every fall in search of elk in an attempt to fill the freezer with venison. For the person who doesn't hunt, however, farms raise elk for commercial processing. Regardless if the elk comes from the wild or a farm, venison is recognized as a lean source of protein, but some elk are susceptible to infectious diseases that could transfer to the elk meat.

San Juan Mountains Elk Hunting

Colorado's San Juan Mountains offer elk hunters plenty of opportunities during the fall. The Colorado Division of Wildlife estimates that more than 48,000 elk inhabited the area after the 2009 hunting season---16 percent of the state's entire elk population. Moreover, 13 percent of Colorado's 2009 elk harvest came from the area.

Star Mountain Ranch is located near the city of Nephi in central Utah at an elevation of 5,200 feet. It is a private elk preserve where trophy-quality bulls are managed by limiting the number of hunts annually. Hunters must book far in advance to be assured a hunt.

Elk Hunting in the Marble Mountains Wilderness

Elk hunting in Siskiyou County, Calif., is limited to two hunts, one of which takes place in the Marble Mountains, with hunters selected by special drawings. The California Department of Fish and Game notes that the Marble Mountain terrain is rugged.

Elk Hunting in the Blue Mountains in Oregon

The Blue Mountains of Oregon encompass a large area on the border between Oregon and Idaho. The steep and forested mountains are home to numerous elk herds, and each year hunters come here to bag a trophy. Obtain a hunting license from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, which will also issue you elk tags (bag limits that denote the size and age of the elk you are allowed to hunt).. If you sign up with a guide service, tags and licenses can often be arranged for you.