HOW TO STALK ELK - 33 YEARS OF ELK HUNTING LESSONS THAT WORK

HOW TO STALK ELK - 33 YEARS OF ELK HUNTING LESSONS THAT WORK

Stalking Elk: 33 Years of Lessons from the Backcountry

I’m Matt Hartsky with Backbone Unlimited, and today we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood and underrated skills in all of elk hunting: stalking.

If you’ve ever gotten close but not close enough, blown a setup, or watched elk vanish without a sound—believe me, you’re not alone. I’ve been there more times than I can count.

In this post, I’m sharing what I’ve learned over 33 seasons of hunting elk on public land—often solo, often with nothing to show for it but frustration, heartbreak… and hard-earned experience.

We’ll break down how to recognize stalk-worthy situations, how to close the gap, how to play the wind and terrain, and most importantly—the mental game that most hunters flat-out miss.

Let’s get into it.

What Stalking Elk Really Means

When you hear “stalking elk,” maybe you picture some ninja move—sneaking through timber, bow at the ready. That’s not what this is.

Real stalking is about reading terrain, understanding elk behavior, and knowing how to work every variable—wind, light, movement—to your advantage.

In bow season, you’ve got to get within 30–50 yards of one of the most alert animals on the planet. That’s no small task. It takes patience. Discipline. And above all, planning.

It Starts Before You Ever See the Elk

The truth is, a good stalk starts long before you lay eyes on a bull. It begins with positioning, understanding wind, and setting up the right angle—before you make a single move.

And here’s one of the hardest-earned lessons I’ve learned: knowing when not to stalk is just as important as knowing when to go.

When to Stalk Elk (And When to Wait)

Here’s a basic framework I use.

Go For It When:

  • The elk are bedded and not moving much

  • Thermals are steady and predictable

  • There’s enough cover or broken terrain

  • You know where they’re likely to go if bumped

That’s a green light.

Hold Off When:

  • They’re actively feeding and moving unpredictably

  • Wind is swirling or midday thermals are unstable

  • There’s no good approach without being seen or winded

This isn’t about reacting—it’s about responding to the best information the elk and the mountain are giving you.

Wind Is the Dealbreaker

Let me be blunt: wind is everything.

I don’t care if you’ve got the perfect terrain, the perfect setup, and the bull of a lifetime at 40 yards. If the wind swirls, it’s over.

Here are a few wind tips that’ll save your hunt:

  • Thermals drop in the morning—cold air sinks.

  • As the sun hits, thermals rise—hot air lifts.

  • Midday is often the worst—shifting winds and chaotic swirls.

  • Use puffer powder or wind checkers constantly.

  • When in doubt, circle wide or back out completely.

Treat wind like a laser tripwire. Don’t cross it unless you’re ready to kill.

Using Terrain to Get Close

You don’t just walk at elk. You use the land.

  • Ridges: If wind allows, try to come from above. Elk rarely expect pressure from uphill.

  • Drainages: Great for dropping elevation and staying hidden.

  • Timber edges and brush lines: Move in the shadows. Stay low. Stay dark.

  • Avoid side approaches: Elk have incredible peripheral vision. If you’re at their eye level, you're probably busted before you draw.

And when in doubt? Crawl. No shame in belly-crawling 100 yards if it puts you in position.

Watch the skyline, too. Stay off ridgelines unless you're backlit with cover. I've watched bulls silhouette hunters and vanish instantly. Don’t give them that advantage.

The Mental Game: Patience Under Pressure

This is where most stalks fall apart. And it’s got nothing to do with elk. It’s all mental.

You get to 80 yards, heart pounding, antlers in sight—and every instinct screams go now.

But the best move? Wait.

Here’s how I manage the mental side:

  • Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast. Move like you're underwater.

  • One step, one breath. Stay focused on each tiny movement.

  • Visualize the shot before you ever draw. See it before it happens.

  • Let the elk stand up naturally. Don’t force movement unless you have to.

  • If you blow it, learn from it. Break it down. Journal it. Move on.

I’ve blown stalks and been in another within 10 minutes. Don’t dwell. Stay in the game.

A Real-World Stalk That Worked

Let me walk you through one that actually came together.

A few seasons back, I spotted a bull bedded with some cows just under a rim at about 10 a.m. Thermals were rising. I circled wide to the east, dropped elevation, and sidehilled in with the wind in my face.

It took over an hour to close the last 100 yards.

When I finally had a shooting lane, I waited. The bull stood and gave me a quartering-away shot at 42 yards. That tag was punched.

No fancy moves. No high-speed gear. Just wind discipline, terrain use, and patience.

Key Takeaways From That Stalk

  • Glass often—watch for turned heads or shifting cows.

  • Always assume there are multiple elk you haven’t seen.

  • Don’t rush. If elk are bedded, you’ve got time.

  • Rushing has cost me more animals than anything else.

  • If in doubt, slow down—or stop entirely.

Final Thoughts

Stalking elk is an art. A mental game. A discipline. And honestly? It’s taken me decades to start getting it right.

Most of what I’ve shared here might sound basic—but it’s the basics that matter most. Mastering wind. Reading terrain. Knowing when to move and when to hold.

And never letting your emotions blow the opportunity you worked so hard to earn.

This isn’t about luck or expensive gear. This is about mindset and skill.

If you’ve got a stalk story—success or heartbreak—drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear it.

And if this post helped you sharpen your edge, check out BackboneUnlimited.com for more content, gear, and mindset tools designed for backcountry hunters who live relentless.

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