Anyone ever find well beaten elk trails on south facing slopes and zero elk droppings?

[Elite]

I was out shed hunting the other day in a creek area that comes off a main river system. The small creek had north and south facing slopes.

I found a pile of what I can only assume is well beaten paths from elk? I don’t think mule deer would create trails like this. But I could not find any elk droppings at all.

Is there any reason for this? I would like to come back and hunt this area but not finding much elk sign besides the main trails.

I am hoping the north facing side of the creek would hold some rubs as it is dark timber


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[elkliver]

Did you look for tracks? Not seeing droppings can happen if they are traveling and not feeding. If no tracks 2 possibilities... it's elk trails but they do not use them this time.of year. Or is it possible that they graze.cows there in the summer?

Elk and cows will use same trails. Elk will often travel on the easiest.path. closed forest service roads are commonly used.

 

[Elite]

Did you look for tracks? Not seeing droppings can happen if they are traveling and not feeding. If no tracks 2 possibilities... it's elk trails but they do not use them this time.of year. Or is it possible that they graze.cows there in the summer?

Elk and cows will use same trails. Elk will often travel on the easiest.path. closed forest service roads are commonly used.

I definitely would agree they are not there this time of the year but I thought the droppings would stick around for at least a year.

Can’t see much tracks due to the snow melting recently,

There is also no cattle in the area


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[UTJL]

How much moisture does this area get throughout the summer? In drier areas you can have a good trail that’s created over many years due to less use

 

[peaches]

Do you have moose? It could be moose trails.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I find trails on south slopes are usually cows from summer grazing. Most elk trails are on the north sides between grazing areas. The elk tend to disperse when they get to the grazing areas. Often trails in the lower areas lead to water sources.