Hunting for Elk in High Elevations: Reviews and Tips

Hunting for Elk in High Elevations: Reviews and Tips

Hunting elk at high elevations (typically above 8,000-10,000 ft / 2,400-3,000 m) is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding big-game experiences. The terrain, weather, and animal behaviour all change—and your strategy must adapt. Below are detailed tips—backed by field experience and reviews—to help you prepare and perform in the high country.

Why High Elevation Hunts Are Unique

• Thin air & physical demand: At high elevation your body works harder—lower oxygen, steeper terrain, heavier pack loads. Western Hunter+1

• Different elk behaviour: Bulls and herd elk often use ridgelines, alpine meadows, secluded drainages or backcountry terrain to escape pressure. You’ll often cover more ground and see fewer animals, but the potential for big bulls is higher.

• Weather and terrain extremes: Rapid changes, snow, wind, steep ridges, slick rock—all factor into your hunt in ways they might not in lower elevation zones.

• Logistics matter more: Backpacking, long approaches, lightweight gear, extraction planning, and stamina become central. flattopswildernessguides.com

Pre-Hunt & Physical Preparation

• Acclimatize early: Many guides advise arriving early, spending a night or two at intermediate elevation, drinking extra water, and minimizing heavy exertion on Day 1. Western Hunter+1

• Fitness training: Strengthen legs, core and cardiovascular fitness. Pack training with weight simulates hunting loads at elevation. flattopswildernessguides.com

• Hydration & nutrition: Eat more carbs, stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol—your body’s oxygen and energy demands are higher. MTNTOUGH

• Gear check: Consider lighter weight hunting packs, boots with good ankle support, and efficient packing to save energy.

• Altitude sickness awareness: Know symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS): headache, nausea, dizziness. If symptoms occur, descend. Western Hunter

Scouting & Terrain Strategy

• Find travel routes & thermal zones: Late season bulls often feed lower at dawn, then bed high midday, then move again. Identify ridgelines, drainages, saddle points.

• Use glassing effectively: Visual range opens at high elevation—glass across valleys, behind ridges, and spot movement before you commit.

• Use topography & wind: High ridges amplify wind; scent control is critical. Approach cross-wind or downwind of likely elk travel.

• Spot feeding/feeding transitions: Look for fresh tracks, droppings, wallows, rubs high on timberline, conifer transition zones.

• Be mobile and patient: High country hunts often require relocating and covering terrain to find where bulls are staging. A strategy used by many pro guides.

Gear & Equipment for High Elevation

• Footwear: High-traction, stiff soles, good ankle support for rock and scree.

• Clothing layers: Early mornings can be freezing; later, steep climbs generate heat. Use breathable base layers plus windproof outer shells.

• Pack weight: Keep gear as light as possible without sacrificing essentials—ammo, water, first aid, navigation.

• Rifle or bow setup: If using rifle, select a calibre you’re proficient with at elevation and temperature extremes (e.g., .270, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Win Mag).

• Optics and accessories: Spotting scope, rangefinder, reliable navigation (GPS/map/compass). In high country you’ll often spot before you close.

• Extraction plan: After harvest you may face long, tough drags or carries. Plan how you’ll get your animal out.

Hunting Tactics That Work

• Early start, slow approach: Begin hunts at first light; bulls are often moving from bedding to feeding.

• Set up for the midday hold: Bulls often bed midday on ridgelines or timber edges—be ready for movement before or after.

• Use calling and bugling carefully: High country often requires you to locate before you call. Once you hear a bugle, you may set up for intercept rather than aggressive calling. (See general elk strategy review) coloradobowhunting.org+1

• Be ready for close shots: Terrain may funnel bulls closer than you expect; move quietly and get into position while controlling your wind.

• Watch for hang-ups: Bulls often hang up at saddles or ridge tops; approach from side or above to maintain advantage.

• Weather and timing clues: Storm fronts, wind shifts, and incoming weather often trigger bull movement—use those cues.

What Works – Review Highlights

• A posting on altitude prep emphasizes:

  “Most early-season deer or elk hunts I’ve experienced in the high country are above 11,500 feet… Oxygen levels are 33% less than at sea level.” Western Hunter

• Fitness/training article notes:

  “Preparing for high altitude hunting involves acclimatization, physical training, and proper nutrition.” MTNTOUGH

• A quick guide by the Idaho Fish & Game mentions high elevation as a key option:

  “General season hunters typically have the option of getting higher in elevation for those elk…” idfg.idaho.gov
  These reviews underline the importance of physical fitness, acclimation, and terrain awareness in high elevation hunts.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

• Mistake: Pushing too hard too early — You arrive at high elevation and immediately do heavy exertion.
  Fix: Give yourself a transition day; hike moderate, not maximum, on Day 1.

• Mistake: Underestimating weather — Storms, cold, wind come fast at elevation and can end your day.
  Fix: Carry proper layers, check forecast, and be flexible with your timing.

• Mistake: Using low elevation tactics — Terrain, elk behaviour, and travel routes differ at elevation.
  Fix: Adapt your strategy to alpine ridges, timberline transitions, and secluded basins.

• Mistake: Heavy pack weight — Extra weight slows you, uses more oxygen and wears you out.
  Fix: Pack smart—essentials only, distribute load, practice with full pack beforehand.

• Mistake: Ignoring extraction effort — Many hunters succeed but then struggle getting bull out of steep terrain.
  Fix: Plan exit and drag/carry routes, use packs or sleds, move lighter trophies if needed.

Final Thoughts

Hunting elk in high elevations offers some of the most dramatic and memorable hunts—but also the toughest challenges. Success comes down to preparation, fitness, terrain adaptation, and smart gear choices. If you invest in acclimation, understand how elk behave in alpine zones, carry the right gear, and stay flexible with strategy—you’ll greatly improve your odds of tagging a high-country bull.

If you’d like, I can compile a region-specific high elevation elk hunting checklist (gear, physical prep, altitude tips) and list top terrains by state or province known for high-elevation elk success.