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Moving Up From Deer to Elk

Bates offers advice for making transition to chase bulls

Moving Up From Deer to Elk
Brandon Bates of “RMEF Team Elk” says elk can humble hunters. (Courtesy RMEF)

MISSOULA, Mont. — Elk: The official daydream of whitetail hunters everywhere.

But hunting deer and hunting elk are, typically, two distinct disciplines within North American big game hunting. Different skill sets and expectations are required. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation offers tips to help new elk hunters make the transition from fantasy to reality.

Brandon Bates, host of "RMEF Team Elk" on Outdoor Channel, is familiar with the dream. He grew up in southern Louisiana chasing white-tailed deer with gun and bow. Like thousands of his counterparts across the country, Bates spent...

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