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How To Start Hunting: a Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide
A guide for new adult hunters to learn the basics of how to start hunting. From licenses to learning hunter’s safety, this is how and where to start.
The onX Hunt App is the #1 Elk Hunting App. Enhance your hunting effectiveness by setting up the Hunt App for Elk. Not yet a member?
The onX Hunt App is the #1 Elk Hunting App. Enhance your hunting effectiveness by setting up the Hunt App for Elk. Not yet a member?
If you’re new to onX, start a free 7-day trial and create your account. If you already have an onX Membership, log in here.
Once you know your hunting area, save an Offline Map so you won’t need to rely on having cell service to use the onX Hunt App. Offline maps can be saved at multiple resolutions and widths–five miles, 10 miles, or 150 miles. Offline maps will work in airplane mode, so you won’t have to worry about battery life in the field.
To find and use your saved Offline Map for elk hunting, click Offline Maps at the bottom of the Hunt App, then Go Offline. All saved maps will be visible so you do not need to toggle between different maps while offline. Do you plan to hunt elk in more than one state? It’s easy to switch states within the onX Hunt App. Elite onX members get all 50 U.S. states and Canada with their membership.
Each state has standard and unique layers. To find all the available layers for your state, click Map Layers at the bottom of the Hunt App. You can alternate between My Layers and Layer Library to find all available Layers.
At a minimum, we recommend using these layers for elk hunting:
There are many more layers available for elk hunting. You can turn each layer on and off, as needed. Be sure to take a look at these Hunt App layers too: Walk-In Layers, RMEF Layer, and Roadless Layer.
The onX Hunt App is essential to have with you when elk hunting because of these available features, all found under Map Tools at the bottom of the Hunt App:
Make a mistake marking a waypoint or drawing a line? It’s easy to edit your Markups.
After you’ve set up the Hunt App for elk hunting there are a few more features to check out that will make your hunt trip better.
Learn
A guide for new adult hunters to learn the basics of how to start hunting. From licenses to learning hunter’s safety, this is how and where to start.
Learn
Discover when the 2026 elk rut begins, how bulls behave, calling tips, and bowhunting tactics to capitalize on peak rutting action.
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Research & Planning
Washington has special permit drawings for deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep and turkey. The state offers bull moose, bighorn sheep (ram), and mountain goat, which are once-in-a-lifetime if successful. Learn how to make the most of your application.