When Luke Combs isn’t penning a No. 1 song, selling out stadiums, or spending time with his family… chances are he’s in the great outdoors trying to track down a trophy animal. In the latest example of “Luke Combs the Outdoorsman,” the country music superstar took down a massive elk while out in Utah.
There are plenty of country stars out there that love to hunt. Cody Johnson has proudly shared photos of some of the beasts he’s brought down, as has Chase Rice. Of course Riley Green and Koe Wetzel are always in the woods. But of all the artists that like to get themselves out in the great outdoors, the one that always seems to be nice enough to get his big hunts on video (for the rest of us to enjoy) is Combs.
He joined the Leupold Optics team out in Utah to try and get his first ever elk. The tag the country star obtained allowed for the elk to be harvested by either archery or rifle, so he and his guides went out into the hills equipped with both weapons. While they were out on one of the first days of the hunt, Combs discusses his first, unsuccessful elk hunt in New Mexico:
“Well, I’ve shot an elk but I’ve never tagged out. I don’t want to say never like its a lot of times. It was one time. I’m 0 for 1. So I’m excited, I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. I’m down 30 pounds since last time (in 2024). You probably can’t tell because the camera adds 30 pounds… this has been one of the big motivators for me.”
How great for Luke Combs, eh?
The country singer wanted to harvest an elk with a bow, if possible. Even inexperienced hunters know getting that close to a big elk, or really any animal, is easier said than done. Combs and the Leupold Optics teams did have somewhat of a close encounter with a large bull early on in the trip, but couldn’t call it in close enough.
It became apparent that harvesting via firearm was likely going to be the move. The video below even shows Combs having a decent elk in the sights… until guides suggested they “keep hunting” to try and find a better bull. The country star listened, and sure enough, later on in the hunt, they came across a herd of cows with a couple of bulls following closely behind – including one absolute monster.
Luke Combs set up the rifle and took the shot, and so I don’t ruin spoil anything for you, I’d suggest you press play on the video below which was described as this:
“Multi-platinum country artist Luke Combs has topped the charts. But in elk country, he’s after a new challenge. Set on taking his first mature bull, he heads to Utah for an early-season hunt with Jason Phelps of Phelps Game Calls.
It’s big country, and the elk are unpredictable. Some setups come together. Most don’t. Luke and Jason grind it out from first to last light, because the only way to fill their tags is to stay in it.”
You can check out Luke’s Utah elk hunt in the Leupold Optics video below:
Well one thing is for sure… Luke Combs is a great shot.
And in a powerful moment, Luke Combs led the group in prayer once they got up to the monster elk he had downed (and then immediately FaceTimed his wife, Nicole). It all made for quite the entertaining, and rather emotional, hunt. Most country fans know Luke Combs is a pretty down to earth dude, but the second he drops that bull he prayed, thanked God, and called his wife… hard not to root for a man like that.
It’s yet another example of Combs being the ultimate entertainer. Put him on stage or out in the woods… either way, he’s going to deliver.
