Elk hunting the West with a rifle or muzzleloader can be classified into two different seasons.  These seasons often can separate what type of shots you will most likely take on a bull elk, specifically mature bull elk because they have different behaviors during each of the seasons.

 

Early Season

The early season aka the rut you will find the mature bulls in areas with the cows.  During September & early October the elk are grazing on mainly grass which often results in them transitioning from the meadows in the early morning & late evening.  They will often retreat towards cover while participating in their rutting rituals. They are typically not very stationary which means as a hunter you will be forced to follow and set up multiple times on mature bulls.   Hunters often find themselves in every shooting position possible as they chase bugles and rutting elk over miles of country.  

We would venture to say that the majority of shots on mature bull elk during the early season are taken from the seated position and at ranges from 50-350 yards.   It's not that you as the hunter don't want to get prone, it's simply that you have to adapt to the situations the animal you are hunting is putting you in.  

Here are the best bipod choices for early season elk hunting:

P226 (OG) Bipod gives you height ranges that allow most hunters to get into a comfortable seated position as well as a rock solid prone shooting position.  You also have the ability to utilize Pan/Tilt features if you are tracking a rutting bull elk.

P234 (OG) Bipod if you are taller than 6', the P234 is the better choice as you will be able to get into a comfortable seated position as well as a rock solid prone shooting position.  You also have the ability to utilize Pan/Tilt features if you are tracking a rutting bull elk.

HK P226 Bipod is the choice for most elk hunters if they don't believe they need the Pan/Tilt features in a bipod.  This bipod is super light and low profile when compared to other bipods in the same class.

HK P234 Bipod is the choice for elk hunters over 6' tall if they don't believe they need the Pan/Tilt features in a bipod.  This bipod is super light and low profile when compared to other bipods in the same class.

The Late Season

Late season elk hunting for a mature bull elk is like hunting a completely different species.  After the elk rut, the mature bull elk will pull off the cows and retreat to areas of seclusion.  Often these are thick nasty canyons and the mature bulls will minimize their movements in order to recover from the damage they put themselves through during the rut. 

Late season elk hunts often take place from November thru early December which means the bulls do not have to go to water on a regular basis.  When they are not moving to water, the mature bulls will typically only be on their feet to consume calories.  They have lost tremendous body weight and often they are dealing with minor injuries.   The older bulls are typically very cautious post rut and the only thing that really changes their habits are weather & hunting pressure.   

Late season hunters need to be prepared to take cross-canyon shots because it's where the bigger bulls will be.  Most late-season mature bull elk are taken at distances from 300-600+ yards.  Occasionally, you may need to take a shot from a seated position but this is a rare occurrence when hunting mature bulls.  At longer distances it is super important to get in a prone position in order to take an ethical shot.  

The best bipods for late season elk hunting:

 

HK S-PRONE Bipod gives the late season elk hunter the ability to have a stable, simple & versatile bipod for shooting long ranges in the prone position. 

HK P226 Bipod is not to be over looked for shooting in the prone position while late elk hunting.  This bipod also gives elk hunters the ability to still be able to shoot from a seated position if needed while being light weight.  

S-PRONE Bipod will give late season elk hunters an extreme amount of adjustment while taking long range prone shots.  The bipod also gives you the ability to Pan/Tilt if you can't adjust your bipod legs while tracking a feeding mature bull elk.