Elk Hunting vs WT Deer Hunting

[cnelk]

Many have hunted elk. Many have hunted deer.
Many have hunt both.

What have you guys found for similarities?
What are the differences?

If you tree stand hunt for a WT, do the same practicalities apply for elk?

Can you pattern elk like WT?

Do does act the same as cow elk?
Does a bull elk act similar to a WT buck?

I grew up hunting WT deer and now hunt elk and some WT.
I was just wondering what other thoughts are

[Swede]

Brad, my early tree stand hunting for elk was heavily influenced by what I had read about bow hunting Whitetails from a stand. I knew there were differences, and I learned about even more, but what has been written about Whitetails was my starting point.
Based on what I read about Whitetails, the differences include:
You can hunt elk every day effectively from the same stand.
I never wear rubber boots or scent-loc to eliminate my scent.
I do not use scent rags or anything similar.
No food plots or bait are very helpful. I guess in some areas, with enough bait, you can get elk for frequent a spot.
I don't think bucks and does behave like bulls or cows.
Similarities:
You can pattern elk, but it is not the same as patterning Whitetails. You just find trails for elk and destination places where they go. Elk have a much larger area, so you may not see them back in a spot for days, or maybe you will. Different elk have different traits.
They can all be very nervous looking, smelling and listening for danger. Elk vary a lot there.

[JGH]

I don't think there's really much in common.

The fact that deer occupy a small area ... maybe 1-4 square miles ... makes them easier to pattern. If you spook a WT buck, you don't need to look in the next county.

Elk (during the season) have a much larger territory, and much more available habitat in that territory to "do their thing" or "escape". Additionally, they have the option of moving to a new zip code.

"Find does during the pre-rut and rut, and you'll find bucks." That's probably the only similarity, and it's so general that it's a "duh" kind of statement.

[BrentLaBere]

Hunting big bulls and hunting big whitetails.....way more experience with the whitetails but from what I understand pre-rut and post rut big bulls are similar to big whitetails. Secluded areas with little or no pressure. Any disturbance and they are gone. JGH, I have found that if you spook, or get winded by a large white tail he is in fact gone......next county or not you will not be able to hunt him again from that area-typically and obviously some exceptions. Post rut they both seem to find pockets near food to recover where they don't need to exert much energy- usually not far at all from a food source.
Does and cows....I have only seen does group up for wintertime feeding and once in awhile during the rut with one buck watching for the next doe to come into her cycle. I think there is a larger difference between the two with the females. I haven't seen groups of does raising fawns together.....not sure if that is typical of elk cows but I have seen it the times I have been scouting in July.
And I guess hunting each during the rut it comes down to the ladies. Both have similar situations and ways to hunt bedding areas, transitions, food sources and water holes. Only difference I really see in it all is the terrain in which they live, but with that your tactics need to change as well.

[Puttncut]

Given the fact that I've never elk hunted from a tree stand - and don't really plan to - elk hunting has nearly ruined my desire to hunt whitetail. Perhaps it's old age setting in early, but the only way I can tolerate a day in a stand is if I carry along a good book - usually about elk hunting ! (I can't tell ya how many times I've read The Playbook!!) BUT...if you don't mind me shifting gears on ya, compare elk hunting to my OTHER passion - Spring Gobbler!!??NOW we're on the same page!

[steviek]

I’ve done a lot more whitetail hunting than elk but here it goes. This is public land bow hunting deer. Private land is a lot different. The whitetails I hunt have a zero tolerance rule. Soon as you mess up once or they find out the season started they go nocturnal until the rut. My best success on deer has been the first week of season, they go nocturnal and I start seeing the big bucks again once the rut starts. I do hunt the middle of October but normally it is slow.

I found the elk I hunted the same on the zero tolerance rule. They seemed to use same area in the evening for feeding but once we closed in and spooked then see ya.

I agree on the bucks and bulls on secluded areas. I’ve also found both close to the truck or road where people drive and walk by but no one seems to venture off the path. The last place you’d think they’d be then you end up bumping them and I think to myself I bet everyone walks past here but no one comes in here.

[Triplebhunters]

What Ive seen with whitetail that I have not heard about with elk is lockdown. Once wt go into lockdown you had May as we'll prop your feet up and take a nice nap.

[steviek]

The lock down is good point. It can get boringgggg!!!!

Both a buck and bull will fight for the right to bread. In my experience the buck checks the does he will not stay with them. He will fight/protect a
doe if she is heat, breed her, and he is gone. From what I've heard a bull will protect his cows long before the rut and stick around for awhile after.

This subject got me thinking about calling. Maybe some of the experts could weigh in

raking versus rattling. two different meanings 2 bucks fighting over a doe. A bull showing off for cow or intimidating another bull

doe grunt versus cow calling. Most deer hunters rarely doe grunt. most every elk hunter cow calls

buck grunt versus bull bugle to many differences to tell. But a buck normally only grunts when chasing a doe

Doe bleat versus estrus buzz. ????????

Deer snort versus nervous popping grunt. I'd think some different meanings here

Snort wheeze versus challenge bugle. ?????????

[jmez]

I don't think there are many similarities with the two.

Elk are much more tolerant with sight and sound than WT's.

WT's are much more dense and very predictable. They don't go far even when you bump them. They aren't all the hard to hunt.

I think most anyone that has some experience could go kill a deer without much trouble. The same can't be said for elk.