Above timberline advice

[CX5Ranch]

Hey guys I've been elk hunting numerous times but have never been above timber line. I know that sounds ridiculous but there were no peaks over 10,500 in the area we hunted the last 8 years. I am headed to a new spot this year with a lot of alpine. I was just curious to any advice on how to go about it. I am thinking lots of spotting going on. But I have never even stepped foot on that type of country. Is it solid ground or slippery shale? Thanks.

 

[Poser]

Can be slippery shell or solid ground, depending, but should be plenty of grassy meadows otherwise probably not a lot of elk hanging around.
I always notice a significant performance decline above or thereabouts 11,300 and I live at 6,500. Moderate climbs get a lot harder and estimating travel times almost always results in underestimates.

-don’t get caught out in a lightning storm
-always be prepared for rain, snow, hail etc.
-lots and lots of sunscreen. You’ll get cooked above treeline.

 

[Coveyleader]

In general

Walking in dry areas, not in the bottoms is like walking in a pasture, but with slope. In other words, easy.

Walking in the bottoms where there is normally a small crick can be like walking on tundra, it can be really wet to boggy. Sometimes the willows are almost impassible in spots.

Then there are the rocks, depending on the peak, there will be a boulder zone that is just that, walking on boulders.

You will find elk and deer living in the rocks down to the cricks. Elk can and do stay out in the alpine all day no matter how hot. Its also common to see them drop into the timber in the AM and back up to alpine during the evening.

 

[5MilesBack]

Which season?

 

[CX5Ranch]

Archery. Will be there Sept 12 through closing.

 

[5MilesBack]

Archery. Will be there Sept 12 through closing.

Archery is tough above timberline.......not a lot of cover. But the bulls will still be there. If they feed above and bed in the timber, you can try to pattern them and use an ambush. Some of the timberline elk I've found actually bedded above timberline so nothing could get close to them. They stayed there night and day.

 

[CX5Ranch]

Exactly what I was thinking could happen. I am curious to hunt this way. I really hope they bed in the timber I think after a few days watching that then I could slip in there. But we all know they will be screaming and running to the sound of my callings and taking a sawbuck ride to the truck !

 

[5MilesBack]

But we all know they will be screaming and running to the sound of my callings and taking a sawbuck ride to the truck !

Just remember, the more open the terrain.......the less effective calling will be.

 

[CX5Ranch]

Yes sir