Welcome to “Hutch On Hunting “and I’m Bruce Hutcheon.

During the past 4 decades I’ve had the opportunity to live and hunt the Colorado Rockies.

Over the years, I’ve seen hundreds of hunters travel to the mountains to get

their elk, only to leave disappointed.

Elk hunting in the Rockies can be a challenging and rewarding experience. New (and even

seasoned) elk hunters often make some common mistakes that can impact their

success and safety.

To help YOU avoid making those same mistakes, I’m going to

share with you the top ten mistakes and what you should do instead. Be sure to

watch until the end because number 10 could be the make or break on whether

your hunt is a good one.

1.      Lack of physical preparation: Elk hunting requires hiking in rugged

terrain at high elevations. Failing to prepare physically can lead to fatigue

and reduced hunting effectiveness.

2.      Underestimating the shooting distance: Beginners often misjudge

the distance between themselves and the elk, resulting in inaccurate shots and

missed opportunities.

3.      Ignoring wind direction: Elk has an excellent sense of smell,

and failing to pay attention to wind direction caused by thermals can lead to

the hunter's scent being detected, causing the elk to flee.

4.      Not scouting beforehand: Lack of scouting can lead to

unfamiliarity with the area, elk behavior, and potential hunting spots,

reducing the chances of success.

5.      Using improper gear: Inadequate hunting gear, such as noisy

clothing or low-quality optics, can scare away elk or hinder the hunting

experience.

6.      Over calling: Novice hunters sometimes overuse elk calls, which

can make elk wary and hesitant to approach.

7.      Poor shot placement: Inaccurate shooting or improper shot

placement can result in wounded animals and challenging tracking scenarios.

8.      Inadequate field dressing knowledge: Not knowing how to properly

field dress an elk can spoil the meat and make packing out more challenging.

Your harvest is some of the finest organic meat in the world, take care of it.

9.      Lack of patience: Impatience can lead to hasty decisions and

missed opportunities. Waiting for the right shot or the right moment is crucial

in elk hunting.

10.    Disregarding safety measures: New hunters may not fully

understand the potential risks associated with hunting in the backcountry.

Ignoring safety precautions can lead to accidents or getting lost.

To avoid these mistakes, new elk hunters should consider enlisting the help of

experienced guides, attending hunting workshops or seminars, and investing time

in thorough preparation and practice before heading out to the Rockies.

My first elk hunt was an archery rut hunt above Rifle Colorado with friends from Wisconsin.

I used my whitetail tactics to spot and stake a spike bull in the dark timber

and missed my shot, but I was hooked. (Thanks Dwight Schuh)

So, if YOU want to leverage my years of experience and expertise for YOUR hunt, join our

exclusive Hutch On Hunting Membership program where you can collaborate with me

1:1 PLUS get access to deep-dive training on some of the most sought-after topics relating to hunting in Colorado.

We have three membership levels to choose from that will fit any budget, skill level, and goals.

Folks If you are serious about increasing your odds of a successful hunt anytime in the future,

click below to learn more about Hutch On Hunting and how I can help you achieve the hunt of a lifetime. Click here to join https://www.hutchonhunting.com/

Hunt hard, hunt smart, and I’ll look forward to welcoming you as our newest Hutch On Hunting Member!

Hutch

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