6 Best Elk Hunting Books for New Hunters

Eaasty Leather Hunting Log Book, 2-Pack is the top pick for most buyers among the best elk hunting books because it provides two dedicated hunting records in one purchase. It offers a practical place to record dates, locations, weather, sightings, and lessons from each hunt.

This guide is for hunters who want a simple way to organize trip notes and preserve details across seasons. For a hunting log like this, the key factors are writing space, page layout, cover material, and portability. A useful notebook should leave room for complete entries and handle regular field use without adding much weight to your pack. The six picks below are ranked with clear reasons and honest drawbacks for each, helping you choose the right record book for your next elk hunt.

Quick Comparison

6 Elk Hunting Books Worth Reading

The list is ranked by usefulness, field insight, and reader value, counting down to the top pick.

6. Glenmal Hunting Log Book Journal

Best for: Hunters who keep field notes

The Glenmal Hunting Log Book is a compact record-keeping set with one faux leather journal and one black pen. The notebook measures about 8 by 3.7 inches, or 20.3 by 9.5 cm, so it can fit into a back pocket or small gear bag. Its narrow shape takes up little room during a hunt. At around $10, it also works as a low-cost gift for a hunting friend, coworker, family member, or father.

The smooth interior paper gives you space to write down the hunting location, weather, route, and other details from each outing. A fixed belt helps hold the notebook closed and can also keep the included 5.3-inch, 13.5 cm pen with it. The PU leather cover should handle regular carrying better than a paper-only notebook, though it will not have the feel or aging of genuine leather. Its strongest feature is the ready-to-use format. You get the journal and writing tool together, with no need to buy a separate pen before heading outside.

Pros

• Includes one journal and one black pen in a practical set.
• Compact 8-by-3.7-inch size fits easily in many back pockets.
• Belt closure helps keep the notebook shut and the pen nearby.

Cons

• The 3.7-inch width may feel cramped for long entries or detailed maps.
• PU leather is synthetic, so it lacks the texture and durability of real leather.

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5. A Man Made of Elk: Bowhunting Stories and Advice Book

Best for: Traditional bowhunters who enjoy outdoor memoirs

A Man Made of Elk collects stories, advice, and campfire philosophy from a lifetime spent with traditional bowhunting. It reads like a personal outdoor book rather than a gear manual or step-by-step hunting course. The subject should appeal to readers who value field lessons, hunting culture, and reflection alongside the practical side of archery. At around $17, it also fits the price range of a casual gift or a small addition to a hunting bookshelf.

The strongest point is its mix of content. Personal stories provide context, while the advice gives the book more use than a collection of memories alone. The campfire-philosophy angle leaves room for thoughts about patience, animals, ethics, and time outdoors. Still, the available product information does not list page count, dimensions, binding, edition, or included illustrations. Check the retailer listing for those details before ordering, since the physical version may vary. Readers seeking technical instruction, equipment charts, or broad coverage of modern compound bows may find the focus too narrow.

Pros

• Combines hunting stories with practical advice.
• Focuses on traditional bowhunting, not general outdoor topics.
• Campfire reflections add value beyond basic instruction.

Cons

• No page count, size, or format details are provided.
• Its traditional-bow focus may not suit compound-bow hunters.

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4. Ultimate Guide to Elk Hunting

Best for: Budget-minded elk hunting readers

Ultimate Guide to Elk Hunting is a used instructional book focused on elk hunting. Its main appeal is access to a dedicated reference without paying new-book pricing. The listing describes this copy as being in good condition, so it may show normal signs of handling rather than look pristine. At around $25, it could suit readers building a hunting library on a modest budget.

What stands out is the focused subject. This is not a general outdoor book or a broad wildlife title. It targets readers who want one elk hunting guide for planning and reference. The listing does not provide an edition, page count, format, author, or publication date, so check those details before ordering. Used condition can also vary between copies, even when the seller rates the book as good.

Pros

• Around $25, it offers a lower-cost way to add an elk hunting title to your shelf.
• The focused topic keeps the book relevant to elk hunters, rather than covering unrelated game.
• A copy in good condition should provide a usable reading and reference experience.

Cons

• As a used book, it may have marks, softened covers, worn edges, or previous-owner notes.
• Missing details about pages, edition, and format make it harder to judge the book’s depth before purchase.

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3. The Practical Guide to Elk Hunting Book

Best for: Elk hunters seeking long-term field lessons

The Practical Guide To Elk Hunting: Forty Years Of Elk Hunting Lessons is a hunting book built around four decades of elk-hunting experience. It appears aimed at readers who want practical guidance from a seasoned perspective, rather than a short checklist or quick-reference card. The subject stays focused on elk, so it may fit hunters preparing for a specific trip or refining an existing approach.

The main draw is the depth suggested by its title. Forty years of lessons can give the book a broader view than a guide based on one season or one hunting area. At around $24, it also costs less than many outdoor courses or guided resources. Still, the available product details do not list the page count, binding, edition, photographs, maps, or digital availability. Buyers should check the seller’s listing before ordering, especially if format or portability matters.

Pros

• Covers elk hunting through forty years of accumulated lessons.
• Focuses on one species, which keeps the subject relevant for elk hunters.
• Around $24 makes it a relatively affordable learning resource.

Cons

• The listing does not provide page count, format, or edition details.
• Its elk-specific focus may offer little value to hunters pursuing other game.

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2. Eaasty Leather Hunting Log Book

Best for: Hunters wanting compact field records

The Eaasty set includes two pocket-sized hunting logbooks, one black and one brown. Each measures about 8 by 3.7 inches and contains 96 pages, giving you 192 pages across the pair. The slim shape fits a jacket pocket, daypack, or glove box more easily than a full notebook. At around $17, the set also provides a spare or a second book for another hunter.

Each cover uses PU leather rather than animal leather, with smooth paper pages for handheld writing. Printed sections prompt entries for the date, weather, wind direction, atmospheric pressure, humidity, location, species, and hunting method. That layout helps keep notes consistent from one trip to the next. You can also record routes, gear, and observations. The compact format is useful, but the narrow pages may feel cramped for long stories or detailed maps.

Pros

• Two books in black and brown provide 192 pages total.
• Compact 8-by-3.7-inch size fits pockets and small packs.
• Guided sections organize weather, location, prey, and hunting details.

Cons

• PU leather is synthetic, not genuine leather.
• Narrow pages limit space for sketches, maps, and lengthy notes.

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1. Eaasty Leather Hunting Log Book, 2-Pack

Best for: Hunters who track detailed field notes

The Eaasty set includes two compact elk hunting logbooks, one tan and one reddish brown. Each book has 96 pages, giving you 192 pages across the pair for hunt records, route notes, and field observations. At about 8 by 3.7 inches, each journal fits in a jacket pocket, daypack, or larger hunting bag. The covers use PU leather rather than animal leather, with paper pages designed for direct writing in the field.

The printed page sections are the main standout. They provide spaces for the date, weather, wind direction, atmospheric pressure, humidity, location, prey species, and hunting method. That layout can help keep records consistent from one outing to the next. The slim format also makes the book easy to hold without a table or writing pad. Around $18 for two journals, the set could work as a practical gift for hunters who prefer handwritten records.

Pros

• Includes two different cover colors, with 96 pages in each book.
• Compact 8 by 3.7-inch size fits pockets and small packs.
• Dedicated fields cover weather, location, prey, and hunting details.

Cons

• PU leather is synthetic, so buyers wanting genuine leather may be disappointed.
• The elk-focused layout may feel restrictive for general outdoor notes or unrelated game records.

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Buying Guide

The most important factor is practical fit for your hunt. A guide for Colorado September archery differs from one for Montana rifle season, so match the book to your region, season, and weapon first.

• Regional coverage: Choose a title focused on your state or mountain range. It should discuss local terrain, elk behavior, access rules, and hunting units rather than offering only broad western advice.

• Weapon and season: Match the content to archery, muzzleloader, or rifle hunting. Look for details on calling, glassing, stalking, shot distance, and weather for your season.

• Field-ready detail: Prioritize books with maps, packing lists, diagrams, and step-by-step plans. A useful guide should cover at least five core tasks, such as scouting, locating elk, field judging, meat care, and pack-out planning.

• Author credibility: Read the author bio and sample pages. Prefer writers with documented experience across 10 or more seasons, professional wildlife work, or clear references to state wildlife agencies.

• Edition and format: Pick an edition published within the past five years for current regulations and access guidance. Budget about $15 to $40, and choose a compact paperback for a daypack or an e-book for quick searching.

If you can prioritize only one factor, choose regional and seasonal relevance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right elk hunting book?

Choose an elk hunting book that matches your experience, hunting area, and preferred learning style. Look for clear chapters on elk behavior, calling, scouting, shot placement, and field preparation. A useful guide may include maps, diagrams, or checklists, while a memoir may focus more on personal stories than practical instruction.

What should an elk hunting guide cover?

A useful elk hunting guide should cover habitat, seasonal behavior, scouting, calling, tracking, gear, and ethical shot decisions. Check the table of contents before buying. Books with 150 to 300 pages often provide more detail, but shorter field guides can be easier to carry during a hunt.

Can elk hunting books improve my field skills?

Elk hunting books can improve your preparation and decision-making, but they cannot replace time outdoors or local regulations. Use them to study wind direction, herd behavior, calling sequences, and route planning. Pair the reading with several scouting trips, since terrain and elk movement vary widely between hunting units.

Are older elk hunting books still useful?

Older elk hunting books can still teach tracking, patience, habitat reading, and shot ethics, but their gear advice or regulations may be outdated. Check the publication date before purchase. A book from 2010 might offer valuable tactics, while current state rules must come from official wildlife agencies.

Conclusion

Eaasty Leather Hunting Log Book, 2-Pack, is the top pick for hunters who want a practical, reusable record for scouting notes, dates, weather, locations, and field observations. If your priority is learning tactics, elk behavior, or shot placement rather than keeping a journal, choose a guide focused on instruction and illustrated field reference material instead. Before buying, double-check the book’s size, compatibility with your preferred writing tools or storage setup, quantity in the package, and current price. A two-pack can fit partners or separate seasons, while a single notebook may suit a lighter pack. Look for durable covers and page layouts that match how much detail you record. The right hunting reference should earn space in your gear, not sit unused after one trip.