Do Elk Like Alfalfa? - The Body Training

Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter and Outdoorsman.

Attracting elk is not as simple as attracting deer. Elk are large animals and need a lot of food, but are somewhat hesitant to new food sources such as bait that hunters leave out. This leaves a lot of questions on how to best attract elk, and many will wonder to themselves: do elk like alfalfa?

Elk love alfalfa, and it is not uncommon to see large herds of them gathered in various alfalfa fields in the states that they call home. These elk will travel for miles for this type of food source, and the alfalfa in large fields provides delicious, high-calorie food.

Hunters can easily take advantage of an elk’s love of alfalfa in order to hunt them better. Finding their main food source, especially a field full of alfalfa, can lead to much success while on a hunt. Here’s how you can use alfalfa to your advantage.

What Is An Elk’s Favorite Food?

Elk are herbivores, meaning that they feed solely on plants, shrubs, and fungi. They are browsers who will nibble on leaves, twigs, grass, and the occasional mushroom. Because of their large body size, elk need several pounds of this food a day in order to stay alive.

But out of all of their natural food sources to choose from, alfalfa remains one of their favorites. In many western states where elk naturally reside, farmers and ranchers will grow large fields of alfalfa in order to help feed and supplement their livestock. It is not uncommon for large herds of elk to find these alfalfa fields and feed upon them at all stages of their growth.

Can You Use Alfalfa to Attract Elk?

Unlike other bait sources, it can be legal to use alfalfa to attract elk as long as it is being grown in a field.

One of the biggest benefits of a field of alfalfa is that it can be a sustained food source for the elk for long periods of time, providing them with food during all stages of its growth and giving you more opportunities once hunting season comes around.

Alfalfa usually cannot be used to attract elk once it has been cut and harvested, however. This is when it would be considered an external bait source which is not legal to use in most states that allow elk hunting. This is yet another reason that a large alfalfa field is so valuable, as it is legal to hunt over and not considered baiting.

How to Hunt Elk with Alfalfa

In order to best hunt elk with alfalfa, you will first need to locate a field that the elk are hitting. Once that has been located, your best bet is to ambush them as they travel to and from the field. Since they will typically feed at night, you can catch them traveling out of the field in the morning or into it in the evening.

Try setting up outside of the field, where you will have ample cover. Of course, always have permission when hunting on any private ground and be aware of the property boundaries. Whether you are hunting with a bow or a rifle, setting up outside of the alfalfa field will give you better opportunities to stay hidden and will generally be further away from other livestock or buildings.

Once you are set up outside of an alfalfa field, the next thing to do is be patient. If you have seen elk in the field before, there is a great chance they will be back. Look for tracks and trails leading in and out of the field to determine which direction they will be headed, and then sit and wait for them.

With enough time and patience, the elk will return to the alfalfa field while you are there. Once they do, you are more likely to have a better opportunity to harvest one at a closer distance. Elk love alfalfa fields, so whatever you do, be patient and don’t give up!

State Laws and Rules Using Alfalfa

Most states that allow elk hunting have strict rules against baiting elk. In fact, there are only two western states that currently allow you to bait elk for hunting purposes. This is also another reason that alfalfa can be so valuable when it comes to elk hunting because it has no restrictions or laws as other artificial bait sources do.

Because alfalfa is generally grown for profit, livestock, or both, it is not considered bait for elk. As long as you are hunting in or around a field of alfalfa, it is not considered to be baiting even though the elk are attracted to it and are using it as a food source.

One of the only times that alfalfa could be considered bait is if it has already been cut and moved to a different location. For example, if you take a bail of alfalfa out into the woods and drop it in an area with the intent of attracting elk to it, that could be considered baiting, which is illegal in most states.

On the other hand, if you or someone you know owns a field that is growing alfalfa, you can hunt over the field or near it without any issues. Of course, every state is different. Always do your research into the state and county laws of where you will be hunting, and always abide by the rules and regulations when it comes to elk hunting.

Final Thoughts

So do elk like alfalfa? No, they love it! Alfalfa is one of an elk’s favorite food sources. Armed with this knowledge, you can utilize a nearby alfalfa field to your advantage and ambush elk as they travel to and from their next meal. If you are wondering what the elk in your area are feeding on, next time, try looking around for some alfalfa!

Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. Since he was a child, he has been hunting and fishing and has over 20 years of outdoor experience. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.

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