Finished some initial scouting, strategy help.

[colelivaditis]

Spent a day scouting an area me and my buddies are gonna go hunt.

We started at the base of the massive draw, and walked up. Found multiple benches with water, rubs, fresh droppings, tracks. Smelled elk so we figured they were close. I ended up getting to the top. The wind was originally coming down the mountain in the morning, around mid day it shifted right when I was at the saddle on the mountain, and it started blowing up from the bottom. Saw a couple cows wind me and run away on the other side, I imagine we were pushing them up the entire way we climbed.

Wondering what a good strategy would be? Pressured public land bulls. Loop around, and get to the saddle/sit on the ridge? Or sit on a wallow and wait for traffic? Very dense vegetation, only 1 or two game trails throughout, with some open land that really opens up only near the top. Attempting to play the wind was also definitely something extremely new to me.

 

[sivart]

all of the above. But you also need to come up with plans b-z. Elk are where you find them. If they aren't in area A, move to B and do on. Give yourself multiple options

 

[colelivaditis]

all of the above. But you also need to come up with plans b-z. Elk are where you find them. If they aren't in area A, move to B and do on. Give yourself multiple options

Appreciate it, definitely going to jump into a couple neighboring valleys if/when they start moving around

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Thanks for the clues! I know exactly where this is!


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[spike camp]

Is there a river/trail/road at the bottom of this draw?
How far from the bottom, to the top?
What’s the elevation, at the top?

 

[colelivaditis]

Is there a river/trail/road at the bottom of this draw?
How far from the bottom, to the top?
What’s the elevation, at the top?

Elevation a top is around 10400, road at the bottom. Trail running from the road that eventually goes into game trails. Top to bottom is just north of 3000k in vert and give or take 3.5 miles

 

[colelivaditis]

Is there a river/trail/road at the bottom of this draw?
How far from the bottom, to the top?
What’s the elevation, at the top?

River runs from the top to bottom also, before it forms into the main river, multiple little springs throughout, cutting through the benches

 

[spike camp]

River runs from the top to bottom also, before it forms into the main river, multiple little springs throughout, cutting through the benches

Archery?

 

[colelivaditis]

Archery?

Yes

 

[cnelk]

If you found it and scouted it, so have others.

There ain’t any more secrets.

Might want to scout about 10 more spots

 

[spike camp]

Yes

Cnelk is correct..road/trail/otc = company.

If you’re invested in this spot, I’d camp on top of the back ridge a day before opening morning, and see where the pressure pushes the elk.

The fact you found rubs is obviously encouraging,
As it means they’re using that spot roughly in September.

 

[Fullfan]

One thing you have to remember, if you found it so will other guys. Prob been the same several guys hunting that drainage for the last 20 years. Always have 10 other plans lined up.

 

[mad_angler]

I don't think anyone is answering your real question... I thought you asked "given this topography and thermals, how should/could I hunt it?"

Here is my uneducated answer:
- Assuming there is no prevailing wind
- Elk are on benches midway up

I would come from the other side of the saddle and plan to arrive around midday. Then, the thermals will be solidly coming up and wind will be in your face. Then, I'd start to work down the mountain towards the elk. You would have to decide if you came in quietly, cow calling, or bull calling.

 

[colelivaditis]

I don't think anyone is answering your real question... I thought you asked "given this topography and thermals, how should/could I hunt it?"

Here is my uneducated answer:
- Assuming there is no prevailing wind
- Elk are on benches midway up

I would come from the other side of the saddle and plan to arrive around midday. Then, the thermals will be solidly coming up and wind will be in your face. Then, I'd start to work down the mountain towards the elk. You would have to decide if you came in quietly, cow calling, or bull calling.

Definitely what I was looking for, I appreciate it, Elk sign extremely heavy on the benches so this is what I was thinking.

 

[wcmarion]

If the open areas have grasses for them to feed on, they may be bedding on the benches and feeding at night in the open. I've had success catching them in transition at daylight hunting the saddle as long as you have the right prevailing wind. If you can pattern the cows, the bull will come through with them as soon as one goes into estrous. I've also had luck in the evening with them coming down hill to water before it gets dark. Sounds like an area with good potential with there being cows there. Lots of people make the mistake of hunting where they see the bulls in the summer only to find them gone come September.