Elk Versus Whitetails


Tip : Elk hunting has become much like whitetail deer hunting. Both animals possess great natural defense systems, including wonderful noses for trouble and the ability to ghost away when a hunter's scent drifts by.

Elk are smart and wary. They have responded to increasing hunting pressure in many of the same ways as whitetails. Both like heavy cover and use it to hide from hordes of hunters. Going nocturnal is no problem for either whitetails or wapiti. Night feeding and night movement are common survival characteristics for today's elk.

The greatest difference between modern elk hunting and deer hunting is in the extent and nature of elk habitat. Deer are homebodies and hang out in small areas, despite heavy hunting pressure. Elk are semi-migratory anyway and have no reservations about putting large chunks of rugged real estate between themselves and hunter harassment.

When you spook a big buck, you've put him on his guard. When you spook a big bull, you may have put him over the next mountain.