Spring Checklist: 10 Things Every Elk Hunter Should Be Doing Right Now

Spring is the season where success in the fall is either built - or lost. While elk hunting might feel months away, what you do right now can make or break your chances come September. At LOH Outfitters, we’ve seen one consistent pattern across the most successful hunters we guide: they start early, stay consistent, and prepare smarter.

Whether you’re hunting elk with a bow, muzzleloader, or rifle, here’s a spring checklist of 10 things every elk hunter should be doing right now to get ahead - and stay ahead.

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1. Finalize Your New Mexico Draw Applications (or Line Up Landowner Tags)

If you're going through the New Mexico big game draw, May is your last window to double-check your application and ensure you’re in for the right units, weapon types, and hunt codes.

Not interested in gambling with the draw? Now’s the time to:

• Explore landowner tag options through New Mexico’s EPLUS program.

• Contact us to secure guaranteed private land hunts with high success rates.

???? Contact LOH Outfitters if you need help with draw strategy or landowner tags before deadlines close.

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2. Start Your Fitness Program

Even rifle hunts in New Mexico often involve long hikes, steep terrain, and elevation gain. For archery and muzzleloader hunters especially, being in shape is non-negotiable.

Focus on:

• Hiking with weight to mimic pack-outs.

• Leg and core strength training.

• Cardio at elevation if possible.

Start now, and you’ll be physically prepared by early September instead of rushing in August.

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3. Dial in Your Gear

Use the spring to:

• Break in new boots.

• Upgrade packs, optics, or layering systems.

• Test rain gear or any new additions.

Make sure your clothing system works across a 30 to 80°F temperature swing - common in the high country.

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4. Practice With Your Weapon in Realistic Conditions

This isn’t the time to shoot once a week from a bench.

Instead:

• Shoot from kneeling, sitting, uphill and downhill.

• Wear your hunting pack and gear while shooting.

• Use one-arrow sessions under pressure, as that’s all you’ll get in the field.

Whether you're running a bow or a long-range muzzleloader, get intimate with your setup now.

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5. Glass More Than You Hike

Spring scouting isn’t just about boots on the ground. Use high points to glass feeding areas, meadows, and timber edges. Learn how to:

• Grid terrain efficiently.

• Spot elk at long distances.

• Read body language from afar.

The best hunters are skilled glassers before they’re skilled stalkers.

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6. Upgrade Your Mapping Tools

Spring is a perfect time to:

• Study terrain using tools like OnX Hunt or BaseMap.

• Mark water sources, benches, wallows, and bedding areas.

• Plan multiple approach routes based on wind direction.

Don’t wait until the night before opening day to understand your unit. Do it now.

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7. Scout Water and Feed Patterns

As spring green-up hits, elk shift from winter to summer ranges. Look for:

• New growth meadows and openings.

• Wallows beginning to form.

• Transition zones between feeding and bedding areas.

This info will be golden when you return in late summer or early fall.

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8. Check Regulations and Confirm Unit Boundaries

New Mexico occasionally updates:

• Hunt boundaries

• Legal shooting hours

• Weapon restrictions

Make sure you’re dialed in on what’s legal - and what isn’t - for your exact GMU and weapon choice.

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9. Create a Shot Opportunity Plan

What happens when that bull steps out at 41 yards? Or 74? In crosswind? Quartering away?

Start training your brain for:

• Angle-based shot selection

• Quick range estimation

• Executing under pressure

The hunters who succeed aren’t surprised by the shot - they’ve rehearsed it a hundred ways.

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10. Work With a Guide or Outfitter Early

If you’re hunting with LOH Outfitters, spring is the best time to:

• Reserve your dates.

• Discuss scouting strategies.

• Get help with gear, prep, and expectations.

If you're not hunting with us, spring is still the best time to book with a reputable outfitter before tags sell out.

Reach out now to secure your spot for the 2025 season.

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Final Thoughts: The Work You Do in Spring Shows in the Fall

Elk hunting success isn’t built during opening weekend - it’s built in the months leading up to it. By training, planning, and preparing now, you’ll give yourself the best odds of not just finding elk - but making your opportunity count.

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Spring Elk Prep Checklist Recap:

1. Finalize your draw or secure landowner tags

2. Start a consistent fitness plan

3. Dial in your boots, pack, and clothing

4. Train with your weapon under pressure

5. Practice long-range glassing

6. Pre-scout using digital mapping tools

7. Monitor spring water and feed areas

8. Review new regulations and boundaries

9. Develop your shot decision strategy

10. Book your outfitter early and communicate often

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If you're ready to make this your best elk season yet, LOH Outfitters is here to help guide the way - in the field and before you ever get there.

Contact LOH Outfitters today to start planning your next New Mexico elk hunt.