Elk and acorns?

[dtrkyman]

Anyone seeing elk key on acorns? I always find them in areas with oak brush but have not really noticed them pounding acorns like a whitetail or a bear!

 

[JArcher]

Albeit there are no acorns in my western state but I have never heard of them keying in on them. They typically browse forbs first until they dry up and then transition to shrubs and grasses.

 

[Maverick1]

Yes, elk will feed on acorns. Have hear them plenty of times crunching on the acorns. Scrub oaks can be difficult to sneak through, though, and finding an opening for a shot is not always easy.

 

[jgilber5]

Down here they are critical in some units. Find the acorns find the elk. And bears

 

[GunsAreFun]

I have not personally observed it but have found lots of old sign in scrub oaks and know a hunter that kills elk every year that loves hunting that country.

I don’t know how he does it. Usually can’t see more than a few yards, and walking through it is incredibly difficult.

 

[madtinker]

Down here they are critical in some units. Find the acorns find the elk. And bears

Where’s here? I also see lots of scrub oak and have found sheds in it, but I haven’t targeted it specifically during the season.

 

[jgilber5]

New mexico

Where’s here? I also see lots of scrub oak and have found sheds in it, but I haven’t targeted it specifically during the season.

 

[Poser]

I'm in a scrub oak heavy area, though, elk tend to be in higher elevations when its hot. I have seen elk herds down in the scrub oak elevations feeding in September, but, having spent a lot of time hunting bear in scrub oak during that time frame, I don't see it often nor do I find a whole lot of fresh elk sign. They don't seem to flock to it by any stretch -just another option. In fact, some of the local ranches that hold elk year around are surrounded by scrub oak and the elk don't really leave the pastures for it at all.

In this area, I wouldn't go out of my way to look for elk in scrub oak, but, I have a buddy who gets a archery elk and bear tag every september, so sometimes he goes out in scrub oak looking for an opportunity on either.