Faces

[idahohikker]

In rifle season, do you feel there's a signicant difference in what slope faces the bull elk are using? This assumes an area that's not North Idaho/Northwest Montana where everything is a jungle forest.

I think elk could be anywhere based on my experience. However, a straight North face will likely be dense timber with minimal food. A straight south face will be pretty open and the food burns off faster. I think elk do like West and East faces or a North face to bed that's also been burned in places or has access to food nearby. I don't worry about the slope direction that much but I do think it has to play some factor both with elk distribution and glassing ability.

There might be a lot of elk on North faces in October but you won't see them very easily from near or far. I think East faces can hold feed quality better at times. I realize there's lots of variation here depending on the exact location and many slopes are actually Northeast or Southeast and not due East.

 

[OFFHNTN]

I think it depends on weather more than anything. If its still warm, I think they will be on the north faces. If it's really cold, they will be on the south.
But like you said, tons of variables. If it's hot, but thick dark timber, they could still be on the south cuz they are getting shade. Etc.

 

[wannakillabigbull]

Lots of variables as both have indicated. Very situationally dependent. I'll throw out the thought process that led to my successful late bull hunt this past year:

Mid-November Colorado with snow off and on the previous week. Hunting a little over 9,000 feet where the hunters weren't and the bigger bulls were likely to be hiding. Highs in the 30s, lows below 0 at that elevation. Snow pack was just under knee deep on north facing slopes and slowly melting on south facing slopes due to direct sunlight. Somewhere in the middle on east and west facing depending on cover.

I decided to set up across the canyon from a ridgeline that had a south facing slope, one of the few spots in the area where the snow had melted enough to provide feed. The top of the ridge was covered in evergreens and so would provide good cover close by for the elk to bed during the day and feed out before sun down. Almost like it was scripted a whole herd fed out at 2:00 PM at 600 yards. Only a spike. Just after 3:00 two bulls fed out at 475 yards, one of which was a shooter.

So ya, the situation dictates where they'll be. I think an understanding of elk habit, behavior, and what elk need, combined with properly analyzing the environmental conditions will give you a good idea what faces elk will tend to be in at that time.

 

[idahohikker]

Lots of variables as both have indicated. Very situationally dependent. I'll throw out the thought process that led to my successful late bull hunt this past year:

Mid-November Colorado with snow off and on the previous week. Hunting a little over 9,000 feet where the hunters weren't and the bigger bulls were likely to be hiding. Highs in the 30s, lows below 0 at that elevation. Snow pack was just under knee deep on north facing slopes and slowly melting on south facing slopes due to direct sunlight. Somewhere in the middle on east and west facing depending on cover.

I decided to set up across the canyon from a ridgeline that had a south facing slope, one of the few spots in the area where the snow had melted enough to provide feed. The top of the ridge was covered in evergreens and so would provide good cover close by for the elk to bed during the day and feed out before sun down. Almost like it was scripted a whole herd fed out at 2:00 PM at 600 yards. Only a spike. Just after 3:00 two bulls fed out at 475 yards, one of which was a shooter.

So ya, the situation dictates where they'll be. I think an understanding of elk habit, behavior, and what elk need, combined with properly analyzing the environmental conditions will give you a good idea what faces elk will tend to be in at that time.

Great example. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Swede]

Pay attention to the evidence on the ground, stay alert and watch the wind.

 

[Poser]

Faces was a great band. Possibly the peak of Rod Stewart’s creative output.

 

[idahohikker]

Pay attention to the evidence on the ground, stay alert and watch the wind.

No doubt because every mountain is unique. Sign is good but I also like to not be plowing through the late season hidey holes I know about or have identified.

 

[kicker338]

I can tell you exactly what slope you will find the elk, the one that isn't covered up with hunters and unfortunately it's usually the uglest brush covered hill you can find LOL.