Ontario Elk question

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colin456

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I now know we have a cow tag for sure I was wondering what my best choice on caliber and call would be. My choices that would be reasonable would be a BAR in 300wm, Marlin 45/70, and BLR in 308. The max range I think I'll be able to see is 200 yards but most of the area is less than 80 yards. Second what kind of call should I be using? I'd like to stay on the cheap end because it will most likely never be used after this hunt.Thanks for the help already.

Didn't draw a moose tag this year but managed to draw an Ontario elk tag for the Bancroft area. Anyone know how to hunt elk? I've seen them while deer hunting but the visibility will be pretty bad in Sept with all the leaves on. Won't know until Tuesday if it is a cow or bull but most likely a cow. Are there different tactics to hunting elk rather than deer or moose? Thanks
 
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Should have good luck calling them in Sept. Lot's of calls out there that will do the job, not as difficult as often made out. Just do some research on how to use them. Assume you have a bull draw, but get a cow call as well. Horny bull always likes another cow. ;) Elk are primarily grazers, so check out open fields early and late. And, use enough gun, nothing less than something in the 7mm Rem., 30/06 class. Bulls can weigh around 800 lbs and unlike moose don't wait around for a second shot. We're doing a horseback hunt for ours. Open country and lots of spotting scope work.

Grizz
 
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I would plan my hunt as early in the draw as possible. After a very short while, elk wise up, and will move almost exclusively nocturnally, thus you may not see them in the day at all.

Also, if you are hunting cows, and they are herded up, there will always be a cow on the watch somewhere in the herd.

On the plus side, elk are quite vocal, and not particularly quiet as they move around feeding etc.

I consider them a lot like a Whitetail deer as to intelligence, although during the rut, the bulls are often vulnerable to a call.

Good luck on your Elk hunt. They are tasty critters.

Dave.
 
I've shot several elk. Calling worked one single season, as it's usually over by rifle season. Don't know when you are hunting, but the Hoochie Mama calls worked really well that year. We shot 3 really nice bulls.

The method that's worked best for me, is go a day or 2 early, set up camp, and start walking. Find a path elk use, and sit on it. Doing that, my groups shot 15 or so the last 7 years. The only other method is a well established salt lick. Can't do that any more in Sask...
 
colin456 said:
Didn't draw a moose tag this year but managed to draw an Ontario elk tag for the Bancroft area. Anyone know how to hunt elk? I've seen them while deer hunting but the visibility will be pretty bad in Sept with all the leaves on. Won't know until Tuesday if it is a cow or bull but most likely a cow. Are there different tactics to hunting elk rather than deer or moose? Thanks
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Congrats on getting a tag,our group wasn't successful in the draw this year.I would agree to plan your hunt around the beginning of the season.Not sure what zone u have a tag for,some have farms and open terrain,others good old canadian shield.You best get out and do some scouting,there's lots of crown land and not many tags given.You will want a Thermacell for the bugs.Good luck!
 
I drew an Ontario elk tag a couple of years back. The hardest part is finding an area to hunt. I tried just about everything, MNR, Min of Agriculture, local farmers' assns, posting ads in local legions, supermarkets, CTC's. etc. etc. I think my post was Ontario Elk Hunting 2012.

A kind CGN allowed me access to a farm but no elk had ever been harvested in the area. I enjoyed the hunt, called and got a few responses (not sure if from elk or other hunters)

A better approach is to find a place to hunt and then apply for that area. If you have a tag and no hunting area, I would get a crown land map and focus on public land. I believe there is a post in the general section about crown land areas in Ontario. Good Luck.
 
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