Glassing for elk: morning/evening and north/south facing slopes

[TauPhi111]

Hi All,

I'm leaving for my first elk hunt next week and I had couple questions concerning glassing for elk and how the sun effects it. I've heard 2 conflicting practices and would like to know what you all find more effective. Method one says to glass north facing slopes in the evening and south facing slopes in the morning because during those times of day, the sun will not be on those slopes and elk do not like to hang out in the sun where they'll heat up. The other method says the exact opposite: glass north facing slopes in the morning and south facing slopes in the evening because the sunlight lighting up those hillsides will make animals easier to see. They'll "pop" as some say. I imagine the weather affects this some with regards to elk getting too warm for comfort. Where are the elk gonna be (north or south slopes) during the morning/evening generally?

Thanks!

 

[fittohunt]

I was just thinking about the same thing. I recently watched a Randy Newberg video where he laid out his strategy for glassing slopes during different times of day, but I can't remember exactly what he said... Anyone know the vid I'm referring to? Links?
Thanks.

 

[TauPhi111]

I was just thinking about the same thing. I recently watched a Randy Newberg video where he laid out his strategy for glassing slopes during different times of day, but I can't remember exactly what he said... Anyone know the vid I'm referring to? Links?
Thanks.

I have seen the video, and I can't remember if it was on the show or a YouTube video. From what I remember, he often talks about the elk moving when the sun hit them, but what time of the year that was I can't recall. From what I can tell where I'm going to be hunting next Saturday, it's gonna be pretty chilly.

 

[lilharcher]

If its cold, I imagine the elk will be on the North facing slopes in the morning, which tend to have the best grass/feed.....this was the case on my recent NM Elk hunt too, but usually only for the first hour or two after sun rise.

 

[elkduds]

"Pretty chilly" to you and I is comfortable to elk. They don't need to warm up when it is 20 degrees. So they aren't in early sun to get warm, until winter brings temps around 0 or less.

 

[TauPhi111]

"Pretty chilly" to you and I is comfortable to elk. They don't need to warm up when it is 20 degrees. So they aren't in early sun to get warm, until winter brings temps around 0 or less.

So are you saying to glass the shaded slopes as opposed to the sun exposed slopes?

 

[elkduds]

I'm saying glass food sources, not warmth, early and late. They know winter is coming, they are eating often. Even midday, but probably in smaller openings midday. Ideally you can glass from a ridgeline (don't be skylighted) to the north-facing and south-facing slope on either side of you. They may both have elk. Elk are big, you will see them while glassing if they are in the open. Good luck.

 

[cnelk]

Mornings they will be moving off any openings just after first light, so be in position long before that.
North or south slopes - it dont matter

In the evenings, they will filter out of the trees into the openings to feed about the last 30 mins of light - north or south - it dont matter

If its snowing and cold, they will feed at all times of day

Elk are where you find em

At least thats been my experience hunting late seasons

Here's a big ol cow that i popped one evening as she made her way to the feeding area during late season
I setup in the timber and let them come to me

 

[Jon Boy]

I'm saying glass food sources, not warmth, early and late. They know winter is coming, they are eating often. Even midday, but probably in smaller openings midday. Ideally you can glass from a ridgeline (don't be skylighted) to the north-facing and south-facing slope on either side of you. They may both have elk. Elk are big, you will see them while glassing if they are in the open. Good luck.

This. Glass feed.

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[idahohikker]

What feed do you key in on in late season? I agree that North/South facing slopes is not something to bank on. I see them start to eat just about anything before they move on, but what do you focus on, if anything?

 

[cnelk]

Best feed that the elk use where I hunt is old clearcuts or burns.

 

[Jon Boy]

What feed do you key in on in late season? I agree that North/South facing slopes is not something to bank on. I see them start to eat just about anything before they move on, but what do you focus on, if anything?

Couldn't tell you what its called, I like looking at rocky ridges with bunch grass mixed in with the rocks. Like this

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[cbat]

Elk are where you find them but it usually ties to where the feed is.