First time summer scouting (success) and questions

[TagSoup_Chef]

Just got back after my first successful summer scouting trip. I hit 3 basins and glassed 3 more from afar. This is my third trip out this season.

In one day I saw about 300 elk (20 good bulls spread between each basin), one big group of 200 cows, calves, and spikes.

Lots of nice bucks too.

Curious what designates worthwhile spots for season? I was definitely excited with this one. Not too far off a road but takes some work to get there, and not super intuitive to hunt.

Elk were all 12k + elevation. ~6 mile radius.

My buddy has an archery tag so we will obviously go to this spot when season opens. Wonder if they will be around for my first rifle?

I have some lower elevation spots pinned for the potential snow or pressure, but curious on any wiser folks thoughts.

 

[P Carter]

First of all, that’s awesome, really exciting.

As for what to do, like everything, it depends. I have areas where there are big herds, including multiple 7-points in velvet, from July to mid-August. From late august onwards, I might get one photo (trail camera) of one or two bulls moving through in the middle of the night.

Your situation may be promising for early season—like the first weekend—but I’d definitely put some thought into where they are going to stage for pre-rut, and where they’ll rut. And they almost certainly won’t be there in early October.

 

[Marble]

You will want to locate the cows in mid to late August for where the bulls are going to end up being in August.

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