What’s the Best Elk Hunting Advice You’ve Ever Been Given?

It quite possibly may be found by reading Mr. John Phillips book entitled “Elk: Keys to 25 Hunters’ Success.”

Based on his 42 years in the outdoor and hunting industry and after writing two other books on elk hunting, Mr. Phillips knows how to take you on a journey that is sure to entice. He paints a picture so clear in several of the adventures that you almost think you’re standing right there with the person telling the story.

It’s obvious that he is a lifelong student of the outdoors and of outdoorsmen (and women). When asked what he learned from writing this book, his answer was more focused on the reasons why people hunt elk instead of the specific tactics used to do it.

To me, he seems to be just as much a student of the person as he is the specific tips to be offered.

"An elk hunt can be very successful, whether you take an elk or not.” – John Phillips

Learning more about the people, the reasons they elk hunt, and the reasons they hunt elk the way they do can really help shape your style.

Of course, if you already have a style and know everything you need to know about elk hunting, then this book is not for you. 

But, if you’re looking for some tips and fascinating stories from people that have been pursuing elk for several years, then keep reading. And be ready to jot down some notes.

Packed with gear ideas as well as advice for newbies and seasoned hunters alike, you will be taken on a journey of elk hunting success that’s different with each turn of the page.

From Matt Drury’s comments for new elk hunters like, “Be ready for a wide variety of weather changes when hunting in the mountains,” to Ashlee Lundvall’s story of “Piggy-backing” to elk success, there’s a lot of ideas that are sure to help.

I couldn’t help but become immersed in Ashlee’s story. She is a T12 spinal cord injury survivor that isn’t willing to stop just because someone says it could be difficult.

It may have taken a team of people helping her and ultimately a piggy back ride from her husband to get her to the elk, but she was able to successfully harvest a nice bull.

Not only was she able to harvest this bull, but she was able to conduct the hunt in a way that challenged her to the max!

Clifford Hockett’s story started when he was much younger.

“As early as I can remember, anytime my dad took an elk, he’d call my mom and me and we’d go help him pack the elk out. They always let me pack out the head.” - Clifford Hockett

This book is full of stories that will fully immerse you into elk country. In several of them I could almost smell the bulls they were describing as I was reading, eagerly awaiting the rest of the story.

The fun part is that once you’ve read a couple of them, you get the idea there will be a high likelihood of success in each story. But, then again, there’s probably a reason that story was included in the book.

There was definitely some measure of success, even if no animal was harvested.

In case you can’t tell, I enjoyed this book from Mr. John Phillips. I’m not sure that I was able to learn as much as he did while interviewing the 25 hunters and writing about their stories, but I know it will change the way I elk hunt.

I would agree with his statement towards the end of the book in that “I’ve been able to add more knowledge about successfully hunting elk from each of the individuals featured in this book.”

The only downside to this book that I’ve noticed can’t be credited to Mr. Phillips, as he is only telling the story. But, I assume that because many of the hunters included have also made hunting a lifestyle choice instead of a hobby, there are several sponsors and products that need to be mentioned throughout the book. 

When I’m reading, some of them come at times where it adds to the details of the story and some come at times where the mention of a specific brand name or product used seemed to take me away from the story.

But either way, the knowledge gained throughout the book, I’m sure will come in handy.

Living an outdoor lifestyle and becoming an outdoorsman/woman is a commitment to continued learning. A major part of that knowledge is gained from the animals we pursue as well as others in the outdoor community that are willing to share their successes and their failures.

It is clearly evident to me that John is a committed learner, and oh what I wouldn't give to have the opportunity to sit down and learn from him one day!

So, what you are probably wondering right now is, “Should I But This Thing?” Well, our normal answer still applies…it depends. If you don’t like to read good books, then don’t purchase this book.

If you aren’t willing to learn anything new about elk hunting because you already know it all, then probably no need for you to read this book, and I most likely lost you in the first couple paragraphs.  

But, if you like to read, enjoy a good story teller, and want to learn from some other elk hunters, then I would highly recommend checking out this book from Mr. John Phillips. I’m sure it will not disappoint.