Elk Hunting in the Heat

The Hunt: Chasing Velvet Bulls in Arizona

Adam Weatherby and I headed down to Arizona to try our hand chasing elk in July on a OTC type depredation tag. I brought my new Live Wild Edition Weatherby along on the hunt. Early season elk hunting in Arizona can be as challenging as it is rewarding. The temperatures are high, the terrain can be both flat and rugged, and the elk are in full velvet. 

On the first evening, I passed on a 6 point bull. A decision that I was pretty sure I was going to regret, but I really wanted to see what was around before filling my tag. After five more days of hard hunting and glassing, I found myself in range of a good mature bull and decided to take the shot. 

Adam was hunting about five miles away and the bull that was with my bull ended up running right to where he was. We both tagged out less than an hour apart. The odds of that are crazy!

Key Tips for Hunting in Hot Weather

When hunting in hot weather, there are several crucial considerations to keep in mind. Here are some tips and tactics that have worked for me over the years:

Timing is Everything

• Best Times for Activity: Focus on the coolest parts of the day—early morning and late evening.

• Pre-Dawn and Dusk: Be in position and glassing before dawn and as light fades. This is when elk are most active.

  Glassing Strategies

• Utilize a Tripod: Glass off a tripod for stability and to cover large areas more effectively. Utilizing a quality tripod will allow you to pick up animals in the low light conditions easier.
• Strategic Glassing: Look in the most promising spots first, even in low light, to catch silhouettes. Your spotting time is very limited so use the day to find areas that will be the best to look at during first and last light. I suggest using high power binoculars for this type of glassing as you get the best eye relief, light gathering, and comfortable glassing. 

Midday Moves

• Water Sources: Animals often visit water sources during the heat of the day—consider staking out to these spots.
• Shade and Bedding: Use midday to scout new glassing spots and glass for bedded animals. Looking into good bedding areas, you may be able to turn up animals before the evening.

Processing Your Game

• Immediate Cooling: Hang and process the meat quickly, utilizing shade wherever possible. Having a tarp on hand like the Stone Glacier Sky Tarp allows you to create shade and gives you more time to process. It is also great for glassing in the sun.
• Cooling Strategies: Keep a big cooler ready with ice in your vehicle. Layer the cooler with block ice and ice packs like Yeti Ice for optimal cooling. Then add crushed ice to fill in the gaps.

Essential Gear for Hot Weather Hunting

Having the right gear can make a significant difference on hot hunts. Here's a breakdown of the essential gear you'll need:

Clothing

• Base Layer: Wear something like the First Lite Yuma base Layer for wicking away sweat.
• Pants: Lightweight options like the First Lite Trace Pants that are breathable and durable.
• Down Jacket: A packable down jacket for those surprising cold early mornings and late evenings.

Accessories

• Lightweight Tarp: The Stone Glacier SkyAir ULT Bivy Tarp works great for creating shade and weather protection.
• Game Bags: High quality game bags are important to keep your meat clean and cool.

Hydration and Nutrition

• Wilderness Athlete: Always carry plenty of water and electrolytes. Products like Hydrate & Recover and Energy & Focus are great for keeping your energy up.

Cooler

• Yeti Tundra 210: For keeping meat fresh, make sure you have a large, well-insulated cooler like the Yeti Tundra 210, pre-filled with block ice and Yeti Ice packs.

Conclusion

Elk hunting in hot weather provides its challenges, but with the right tactics and gear, you can turn the challenge into a rewarding adventure. By focusing on the best times of day, staying hydrated, glassing effectively, and using the right equipment, you can improve your odds significantly. Stay prepared, stay safe, and happy hunting!

Remember to check out the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Their ongoing efforts in elk conservation ensure that future generations will continue to enjoy and cherish elk hunting.

Live Wild, Remi Warren