Hour-to-Hour Elk Hunting Tactics. Elk hunting differs from a traditional whitetail hunt in many ways. Elevation, rugged terrain and extraction adversities separate the two, just to name a handful of complicating distinctions. Another difference is the fact elk keep a schedule that offers hunting opportunities throughout the day, whereas whitetails may shut down. Focus on meeting locations that vary by the hour to engage your leggy quarry instead of napping under an old pine tree. 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. If I had to rate one period as the Holy Grail, it would be dawn through midmorning. Elk seem to be anxious, agitated and goal-oriented. That equals noise, and noisy elk are easy to track. The "anxious" issue arises from elk being exposed at sunrise to potential hunting pressure. They are anxious to move to private digs most hunters will be pressed to reach. Herd bulls are anxious to keep the harem together while moving through a barrage of tag-along satellite bulls. What is the goal? By midmorning elk want to be high on a north face, across a major canyon and buried in thick pines or junipers. The mad dash ensures sanctuary and relief from any day's sporting searing sunshine. Although your targeted herd may be easy to track via vocalizations, starting with elk at a lower level could be a regrettable mistake. Elk are cruisers; the name implies long-legged, built for rapid and sustained escape. In brief, they can cover real estate faster than you. You may be able to keep up in some topography, but in true mountain settings, elk use elevation gain to their advantage, and that leaves you gasping in the thin air. A solid plan includes scouting for potential elk hangouts. Instead of starting with elk at ground zero, stage yourself on north slopes and densely covered highlands where you expect elk to park for daytime sanctuary. Use their calls to maneuver into position, keeping in mind thermals typically carry your scent downward. Negotiate in close for ambush or calling opportunities. Now is a good time to sound like a lost cow or an irritating satellite. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. From midmorning through midafternoon, elk could be engaged in a variety of activities. As ruminants, elk need a timeout to digest their food through regurgitation and repeated chewing. This act and the need for rest equates to nap time during this period. As elk decide where to bed with herd mentality, expect restlessness, prodding by the herd bull and satellites hellbent on grabbing some action before nap time commences. This forest disarray provides you yet another opportunity to edge close for a shot as elk eyes divert to pre-bedding commotion. Bulls busy prodding satellites out of the herd may give you the exact opening to release a shrill scream in defiance. Get ready. A bull could bulldozer past you in seconds looking for the irritant. At some point and quite suddenly, the woods will go quiet as elk settle for a few hours. You may want to join their napping habit, but do so in a strategic location. A top pick is right there on the edge of the herd. If the wind allows and you can see or sense you are within a short hike of the herd, hold your position. As cows come into estrus, an unsettled herd bull could prod a cow from her bed any time during this period for a brief chase. Have an arrow safely nocked on your bow beside you as you recharge. A strategically placed decoy could make a bull pause during the shuffle, giving you the window to shoot. Another high-ranking option is to retreat slightly to any nearby water, especially one with signs of recent wallowing. It is not uncommon for a herd bull or satellite to slip away from the ladies to rehydrate and reapply a layer of urine-soaked mud for afternoon cologne. Build a homemade hide downwind and catch a wink while waiting.