Elk Behavior Question

[CiK01]

I have a few questions about scouting and elk.

I used to tournament fish for bass, and 9 out of 10 times…I could catch a bass off a stump on a point and come back 1 hour later and catch another. That feature drew them in to the spot. Does the same thing work for elk?

Let's say I am out scouting for elk in the early season. While walking around, I bump some elk.

With your experience, how far do those elk go? Will those elk return soon to that spot again or are those elk gone for good?

A part of me wants to believe that they might return. If the habitat was good enough for them once, it would be good enough for them again. And even if they don’t return, maybe another elk will use it soon.

Tony

 

[airlocksniffer]

In my limited experience, it depends. I would say that they will tolerate sound okay, as long as it's not your voice. Elk are noisy so I don't get too concerned about every broken branch, etc. Also when tromping through blowdown, I can't be too quiet so don't sweat it. This season was really dry and every leaf was crackling. Sight, maybe a little less tolerant but could be okay. They might move out of an area if they sense something is off. Take care not to skyline yourself or give them a good outline. I haven't made my mind up on the effectiveness of camo. Can't hurt but may not offer the perceived benefit. Smell is the biggest thing to be concerned about. If a group of elk catches your smell they will take off and may not come back for a day or more. I would suspect if they continually catch your smell over the course of a few days, they may leave for longer. I feel the the same way about scent free soaps, etc as I do about camo. Play the wind and if the wind is wrong, back off and wait or change position until it's in your favor.

 

[Wileycoyote]

Elk are a lot more Leary than deer, and they notice things out of the ordinary. I've yet to have a deer walk up to a game camera and I've had elk rip them right of the tree before. I cable lock my cameras on now and this year I even had pics of a bull pulling the end of the cable with his mouth. Generally elk associate a human= bad. I bumped into a few cows and calves this spring. They never smelled me just saw me walk into the open to take this pic.

The getaway was on butts and dust I watched them go a mile in a half in 10 minutes across a valley and to a new area, over just seeing a human. But I do believe they come back. Elk never do the same thing two days in a row usually. They will be somewhere for the morning, go bed, come out in that area in late afternoon, then go find a new place to bed the next day. I'm sure in some areas they may do the same thing i.e.; private property. But on public land the elk I scout and hunt move a lot. But they will usually come back again at some point in time. They are true masters of being where humans or hunting pressure is not. Good luck with you're elk endeavor, just when you think you've figured them out, they will school you. But eventually time in the field and mistakes made teach you somewhat what you expect them to do, and you learn where they like to be. You'll learn quick hunting them wind can be you're friend or worst enemy!

 

[MTredneck]

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

Every time I think I know what elk are going to do, they switch it up on me. Generally though, there are migratory herds out there that pass through an area and may not be back for six months, there are some that seem to work a steady but very large circuit, and there are local herds that frequent one area for a while. Depending on how much pressure they're getting and how bad you bust them, they could be back if they're a local herd.

There're certainly some types of habitat that they frequent more readily than others, but I tend to put more faith in signs of recent use rather than habitat type if I'm looking for a spot to hang out and wait for them.

 

[IdahoElk]

Elk are not like whitetails,their range can be many square miles "But" I've found that if you're in prime habitat they will return.May take a day or a week but they will come back.

 

[CC]

I have limited experience but I bumped some elk and a bull on Friday and seemed like a good spot. The next day I could hunt was Tuesday morning, so I hiked in the dark and let out a bugle at first light, arrowed the bull I saw on Friday not 50 yds maybe closer to where he was on Friday. Think a lot depends on their habits, pressure and why the ran they first time. I know they didn't smell me the when they were bumped so I think that was a factor. Best of Luck