Are hiking ridges before daylight to get above elk a bad idea?

[Cowbell]

After much research, I have planned a couple of routes that can be hiked following up the ridge tops. Once 3-4 miles in, each ridge comes to a peak where basins can be glassed on either side. I realize these are steaper climbs but the trails I have planned are not through thick timber.
Is this a good plan to get above the elk that may be feeding in these basins before first light, or do I risk spooking due to being seen and/or thermals? If so, would it be better to try this after daylight?

 

[5MilesBack]

The thermals will most likely be carrying your scent down into the basins, but it also depends what the prevailing wind may be doing as well. The problem up high around those basins is that the wind tends to swirl a lot regardless of what else is going on.

 

[westrnwild]

Got to ask is this an Archery hunt or Muzzleloader or Rifle. Walking the ridges can work, but like 5milesBack said the thermals will most likely be pushing your scent down. Also, if you super exposed remember you'll be easier to spot, but if the ridge has rocks and bushes to hide behind then youll at least be less likely to be sky lighted. I have seen a many hunters get busted way up on top..i forgot to thank them a few times. but if you got the winds working for you and its a big basin then you should be ok, but if its a tight basin try to not get skylighted cause youll be hunting a new basin after that.

 

[Cowbell]

That's what I was afraid of. This is a rifle hunt and we are just hoping to glass some elk and then move in after the elk bed. Or set up as they are feeding back. I do think we can keep covered along the tops, I have marked routes from all directions into specific basins so that we have options in certain winds.

 

[xziang]

I think I'm in the same boat as you. I've been looking at another way up to a ridge where I've glassed elk on but that puts me in no man's land so to speak. Just don't want to blow everything out. Coming at them from below looks to be very challenging and would require a lot of GPS checking and map reading.

 

[justinspicher]

Use this to get an idea of what your looking at on a topo map lines up with a satellite image.

Hillmap - Backcountry Maps for the Obsessed

 

[Ross]

Any time your hiking in the dark you risk busting elk, that being sad if they don't smell you or see headlamps they tend to calm down pretty quick. Best to risk bumping them than being late for the game

 

[Jason Snyder]

Any time your hiking in the dark you risk busting elk, that being sad if they don't smell you or see headlamps they tend to calm down pretty quick. Best to risk bumping them than being late for the game

I agree. Use the prevailing winds the best you can, stay on the upwind side of the ridge if you can.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Use this to get an idea of what your looking at on a topo map lines up with a satellite image.

Hillmap - Backcountry Maps for the Obsessed

That's a handy little tool

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

The thermals will most likely be carrying your scent down into the basins, but it also depends what the prevailing wind may be doing as well. The problem up high around those basins is that the wind tends to swirl a lot regardless of what else is going on.

But don't you want to be up high at day break glassing?

 

[IdahoElk]

But don't you want to be up high at day break glassing?

Within an hour after day break I try to be within a few 100yrds of being on them,by 8:30 where I hunt the wind has already begun swirling.
My spike camps are close enough to the Elk that I usually know exactly what direction to head pre dawn by the bugling activity heard during the night.
For some reason glassing from ridges doesn't work for me?

 

[Shrek]

Pick a side and only stink up one basin not both while you travel.

 

[5MilesBack]

But don't you want to be up high at day break glassing?

I prefer to come in from below the elk in the mornings.

 

[Jason Snyder]

But don't you want to be up high at day break glassing?

This can completely depend on the area, i.e. where is the feed, water, bedding areas relative to the topography. Some areas you get on the upper ridgetops and you can't see squat, plus you are 2k feet above the elk.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Interesting. What if you aren't sure where elk are?

 

[justinspicher]

I try not to get too technical when hunting. Usually I just take my bow for a walk and go to a place or places I think elk or any other critter would be.

 

[Cowbell]

Thanks for the info. guys - i might go high at midday to glass for evening feedings. I may be overthinking all this a bit so glad to get some perspective.

 

[veganhunter]

Use this to get an idea of what your looking at on a topo map lines up with a satellite image.

Hillmap - Backcountry Maps for the Obsessed

Hillmap is my favorite route planning tool out there. I've been using it for years to plan ski tours

 

[bowieknife50]

The thermals will most likely be carrying your scent down into the basins, but it also depends what the prevailing wind may be doing as well. The problem up high around those basins is that the wind tends to swirl a lot regardless of what else is going on.

Maybe a little off topic, but when do thermals switch? Is there a rule of thumb or is it too variable based on slope, wind, sun, weather, etc.?

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[MT_Wyatt]

Maybe a little off topic, but when do thermals switch? Is there a rule of thumb or is it too variable based on slope, wind, sun, weather, etc.?

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It's really dependent on terrain.
If you had to put some really general numbers to it, maybe 10 am and 6pm. Depends on weather during the day hearing the hillsides though.


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