Muley Freak: Hunting Giant Bull Elk in Wyoming’s Backcountry

A four-day Wyoming elk hunt put Aaron and his hunting partner, Reese, deep in the backcountry in pursuit of a mature 6x6 bull elk (a bull with six antler points on each side). With horses, a remote teepee camp, and miles separating them from the trailhead, the hunt had all the ingredients for an unforgettable adventure. What they didn’t count on was nearly nonstop rain, snow, and wind, which made an already challenging hunt even tougher. In Muley Freak’s latest video, the pair battles the elements, navigates difficult terrain, and chases a mature Wyoming bull. Let’s check it out!

Bottom Line

Successful backcountry elk hunting requires preparation, persistence, and the ability to adapt when weather and elk movements disrupt the plan. Aaron and Reese’s four-day Wyoming hunt demonstrates why locating mature bulls, understanding their movements, and staying prepared for changing conditions are essential to hunting elk in remote mountain terrain.

What Does It Take to Reach Elk in Wyoming’s Backcountry?

Aaron and Reese started their trip shortly after midnight, meeting in a Flying Pilot J parking lot before driving to the trailhead. After arriving around 4 a.m. and getting a few hours of sleep in the truck, they unloaded the horses and began their trek into the mountains. Their camp was a traditional teepee with a wood stove for warmth, and they cooked meals over an open fire. This is hunting at its purest.

The first day brought favorable weather, allowing them to cover ground and locate elk before a major storm moved into the area. Unfortunately, Aaron forgot his hunting boots. Not exactly what you want to discover before spending several days hiking through rain and snow. Instead, he made do with the early-season tennis shoes he was already wearing, which offered little waterproof protection. That wouldn’t become a problem, right?

Proper equipment matters most when hunting miles from the nearest trailhead. Waterproof footwear, layered clothing, and reliable camping gear can make the difference between an enjoyable trip and several miserable days in the mountains. For a closer look at what experienced hunters bring into remote country, check out MDT’s article, Necessities for a Backcountry Hunt.

After establishing camp, the pair rode into a promising drainage to glass, or systematically search the surrounding terrain with binoculars and spotting scopes. They spotted a bear, but the elk were slow to appear. Maybe the bear had something to do with that!

As evening approached, they located several groups of elk, including three bulls. One mature bull stood out, giving them a target for the following morning. With snow and rain in the forecast, Aaron and Reese knew their opportunity to hunt under favorable conditions was quickly disappearing.

Getting Close to a Mature Bull Elk

The following morning began at 3:30 a.m. with breakfast burritos made from bear sausage, eggs, and mozzarella cheese.

After riding into the area where they had located elk the previous evening, Aaron and Reese positioned themselves to watch the surrounding terrain as daylight approached. Their scouting had paid off. As the sun rose, the hunters found themselves surrounded by elk, although the mature bull they wanted was nowhere to be seen.

Before long, a promising bull began bugling from a pine-covered canyon approximately 300 to 400 yards away. Bugling is the distinctive vocalization bulls use to communicate with other elk, particularly during the fall breeding season, or rut. Hearing a mature bull nearby is exciting, but getting a clear shot through dense timber is another matter entirely.

Aaron and Reese remained ready, hoping the bull would step into an opening. Cows, spikes (young bulls with unbranched antlers), and smaller bulls continued moving through the area, but the larger bull never presented a clear shooting opportunity.

By late afternoon, the pair spotted the mature bull nearly a mile away. Although they had finally relocated their target, the distance, terrain, and remaining daylight made reaching him before dark impractical.

It was another reminder that finding elk and getting within shooting distance are two very different challenges.

How Did Rain, Snow, and Wind Affect the Elk Hunt?

The following day brought even worse conditions. After nearly 24 hours of rain, snow, fog, and strong winds, Aaron and Reese were dealing with soaked clothing, optics, rifles, and footwear. Remember those tennis shoes? I bet Aaron was thinking about his hunting boots.

Hunting in this kind of weather presents several challenges. Rain and fog reduce visibility, making it difficult to glass distant hillsides. Wet clothing and footwear make it harder to stay warm, while muddy terrain slows travel and increases the effort required to move through steep country.

However, poor weather doesn’t necessarily mean poor hunting. Changing conditions can influence animal movement and sometimes create opportunities for hunters willing to adapt. MDT explores this subject in Inside MDT: Hunting in Inclement Weather, which discusses how hunters can approach difficult weather conditions rather than simply waiting for the skies to clear.

Fortunately, a brief break in the weather brought several elk into the open, including a promising 5x6 bull, meaning it had five antler points on one side and six on the other. Unfortunately, the animals quickly disappeared into the timber as the storm returned.

For backcountry elk hunters, patience and preparation matter most. Elk often use timber and sheltered terrain for security, and hunters must continually adjust their glassing locations and approach based on visibility, wind, and animal movement.

Aaron and Reese had already invested considerable time and effort into locating mature bulls, but the weather continued to dictate how they could hunt.

Mother Nature always wins.

Finding a Giant Bull on the Final Day

With only one day remaining, Aaron and Reese made another early start, facing a two-hour horseback ride to their glassing area. The fog briefly lifted, but visibility remained limited throughout much of the basin.

They found elk tracks and a few cows, but the mature bulls they had been pursuing were nowhere to be seen. After several days of difficult hunting, the trip’s physical demands were beginning to take their toll. Even the horses were exhausted.

The pair had encountered several promising bulls, endured miserable weather, and spent countless hours searching the mountains. Now, with time running out, they faced the possibility of leaving Wyoming without filling a tag.

Would their persistence finally pay off, or would the weather and difficult terrain get the better of them?

Watch the full Muley Freak Wyoming elk hunt to find out.

What Can Elk Hunters Learn From This Backcountry Adventure?

Elk hunting is an endurance race, not a sprint. Aaron and Reese’s Wyoming adventure shows how preparation, persistence, and adaptability can make the difference between a productive hunt and a frustrating one.

Locating mature bulls requires patience and careful observation. Getting close enough for an ethical shot requires an understanding of terrain, wind, animal behavior, and available cover. Even when everything comes together, unpredictable mountain weather can change the plan in minutes.

Of course, Aaron and Reese aren’t the only hunters to experience the challenges of pursuing elk in unforgiving mountain conditions. MDT’s Preparation, Adventure and the Unknown follows another elk hunting adventure where difficult weather, challenging terrain, and the unpredictable nature of hunting all play a role in the experience.

Perhaps the biggest lesson is that success shouldn’t be measured solely by whether you fill a tag. Every hunt offers a chance to improve your skills, learn from mistakes, and become a better hunter. Whether it’s remembering your waterproof boots, adjusting your approach when the weather turns ugly, or simply having the patience to wait for the right opportunity, those lessons carry over into every future hunt.

And sometimes, spending a few days in God’s country with a good friend is reward enough.

For more hunting adventures, check out the Muley Freak YouTube channel.

FAQ: What Should Hunters Know About Backcountry Elk Hunting?

What is the best way to locate elk in mountainous terrain?
Start by glassing open hillsides, feeding areas, and timber edges in the early morning and late evening. Look for fresh tracks, feeding activity, and other signs of elk movement. Once elk are located, use terrain and wind direction to plan an approach.

How does bad weather affect elk hunting?
Rain, snow, fog, and high winds can reduce visibility, complicate travel, and make spotting elk more difficult. Elk may use sheltered timber or protected drainages during severe weather, requiring hunters to adjust their glassing positions and hunting strategies.

What does a 6x6 bull elk mean?
A 6x6 bull elk has six antler points on each side. Antler configuration is commonly used to describe mature bulls, although point count alone does not establish an elk’s age or overall trophy quality.

Why do hunters use horses for backcountry elk hunts?
Horses let hunters carry camping equipment, supplies, and harvested game through remote mountain terrain. They make extended hunts more practical, especially in areas several miles from vehicle-accessible trailheads.

What equipment is essential for a backcountry elk hunt?
Essential gear includes reliable waterproof boots, layered clothing, quality binoculars, a spotting scope, navigation equipment, and appropriate camping gear. Hunters should also carry emergency supplies and protect their optics and other equipment from prolonged moisture exposure.