A few questions regarding elk from newbie

[Rsully661]

Ok I’m going on my first elk hunt in Idaho this September.
My first choice is gonna be the Sawtooth unit ( I know the difficulty of getting the tag) my next choice will be unit 48.
I’m planning on hunting the 14th thru the 22nd.

So my first question is what weather should I expect? Will I be fine with a vest for warmth and long johns and a light rain jacket just in case.

Next question is what elevation is to high? I’m studying topos and the areas that I’ve chosen or look really good to me are big draws from 7500 to 9600. Which would be 3-4 mile hike up and back.
But I’ve read multiple times the elk are typically 4-8k feet elevation. Am I focusing at elevation to high and should I find other areas? Or am I just as likely to find them at 9k as 5k?
I’m greatly appreciative of any help!! Thankyou!!


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[bowtech3dhunter]

It all depends on the weather. Just a vest and a light rain jacket and you might be freezing. Last season that week we got rain sleet and then snow.


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[OG DramaLlama]

Make sure you have a layering system that will cover all the bases. You could have short sleeved in the morning and have snow by afternoon.

Two years ago I was in 4-6” of snow mid September and last year I have heat in the 80’s.

Elk are where you find them. At that time in September they “should” mid/full rut. The rule is that they to move down to the cows, but that rule can be violated. Plan on finding good vantage/choke points where you can see a lot of area and potentially see when/if elk are transitioning through different areas.

Look for water/feed/bedding areas vs targeting a specific elevation.


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[idahohikker]

Bank on not getting a Sawtooth tag and it's probably going to a controlled hunt next year anyways.

I'd err on the side of being too high.

 

[oldgoat]

As mentioned, elk are where you find them and can be very dependent on the weather that year. Dry year can make forage change as also does a wet year. In our favorite unit here in Colorado, I've seen the elk concentrated high on a dry year and dispersed more on a wet year, but there's always some high in it!

 

[David Gough]

Temps on my hunt last year in 48 pushed 85 degrees all the way down to below freezing. You'll need a full layering system for whatever the mountains throw at you.

I tend to find elk in the thick timber, blow downs, and the steep hillsides. Elevations vary with hunting pressure, predators, and weather.

 

[DavePwns]

Temps on my hunt last year in 48 pushed 85 degrees all the way down to below freezing. You'll need a full layering system for whatever the mountains throw at you.

I tend to find elk in the thick timber, blow downs, and the steep hillsides. Elevations vary with hunting pressure, predators, and weather.

What are blow downs?

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[David Gough]

What are blow downs?

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Trees that are blown down by the wind.

 

[Rsully661]

As for layering systems; do you think a solid set of thermals with some prana Zion pants would be sufficient and thermal with merino top of some sort and a puffy is enough? I like the prana Zion pants a lot and have a few pair, just not wanting to and can’t drop $500 on the new First lite craz or sitka either. As much as I would like to my wife (the Pants in the family) would shoot me before I got to hunt.


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[Scoony]

I was out there the past two years. I used the Cabala's micro fleece hunting pants (no loner available), and long sleeve t-shirts. I had light weight and mid weight base layers. Hoody, a light weight fleece jacket and a heavy jacket. Wore the hoody the most with the mid weight base layer top and only the light weight base layer bottoms in the morning. Might have worn the heavy jacket once, but kept it in my pack in case of emergency. Some of the nights were getting down in the teens so a good tent, sleeping bag, and pad are necessary. Oh yeah, plan on rain and snow.

 

[Rsully661]

Elevation wise will they typically be above 8k ft?? Or should I focus lower?


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[IdahoElk]

Elevation wise will they typically be above 8k ft?? Or should I focus lower?


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I hunt 48 and typically I'm hunting above 8k but depending on habitat and pressure they can be anywhere.

 

[David Gough]

I was out there the past two years. I used the Cabala's micro fleece hunting pants (no loner available), and long sleeve t-shirts. I had light weight and mid weight base layers. Hoody, a light weight fleece jacket and a heavy jacket. Wore the hoody the most with the mid weight base layer top and only the light weight base layer bottoms in the morning. Might have worn the heavy jacket once, but kept it in my pack in case of emergency. Some of the nights were getting down in the teens so a good tent, sleeping bag, and pad are necessary. Oh yeah, plan on rain and snow.

Depends on the weather and your hunting style. If the weather is cold you need a versatile system. When it's around freezing I'm still hiking in my light weight long sleeve and light pants, but once I sit down to glass or rest I have a mid layer and a synthetic puffy I wear to stay warm.

 

[David Gough]

Elevation wise will they typically be above 8k ft?? Or should I focus lower?


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I tend to hunt 8k feet and under. Those elk in 48 really like the timber. They can hide from shitty weather and hunters down there. Depends on the time of year and where the elk have been pushed to. You're going to be hunting them where you find them.

 

[Bacwest]

Just be careful you don't pack to lite as far as clothing goes. I've been in snow, rain, or 80 degrees, all in a few days. Personally I would error on the side of caution because the joy of hunting can flee quickly if the weather turns and you don't have the proper gear. The pranas and thermals should be fine unless the weather turns nasty. 2 years ago it rained/snowed the entire season; Sept. 25th at 5000-8500 ft, I was glad to have extra warm clothes in base camp.