How cold before elk start seeking warmth?

[Ready2Rut]

With cold conditions coming in across most of the west, I am curious about how elk behavior might be affected. I know that elk retreating from the mountains to their winter range is primarily dictated by snow, not just cold temperatures. However, I have heard from many sources that elk will change their behavior, such as by seeking out sunny bedding areas or bedding areas where trees are trapping heat, within the areas that they already are when the temps drop.

My question is, how cold does it have to get for elk to start doing this? 40°F? 10°F? I know these animals are extremely cold-resistant, so I wouldn't be surprised if it took some truly brutal temps to get them to change their behavior.

 

[BuckSmasher]

With cold conditions coming in across most of the west, I am curious about how elk behavior might be affected. I know that elk retreating from the mountains to their winter range is primarily dictated by snow, not just cold temperatures. However, I have heard from many sources that elk will change their behavior, such as by seeking out sunny bedding areas or bedding areas where trees are trapping heat, within the areas that they already are when the temps drop.

My question is, how cold does it have to get for elk to start doing this? 40°F? 10°F? I know these animals are extremely cold-resistant, so I wouldn't be surprised if it took some truly brutal temps to get them to change their behavior.

Not sure. VERY VERY cold. Definitely not 40. Probably single digits or colder if I was to guess.

How does an elk stay warm in winter?

In winter, elk may experience temperatures down to 40 below zero. They cope with the plunging temps by shedding their summer coat and replacing it with a thick, woolly parka that is five times warmer. The winter coat consists of two layers: thick, long guard hairs and a dense undercoat. On the...

www.rmef.org

 

[nphunter]

They change patterns for all kinds of weather. Even a cloudy day might allow them to bed on an open slope all day long. Those same elk will move to cover if it’s a sunny day.

I’ve already seen deer laying out soaking up the sun this year. I’m sure elk are doing the same.

 

[coyoteman]

I believe there was a guest on Eastmans elevated podcast years ago who was a very dedicated late season elk hunter. He mentioned that his magic temp for seeing bulls bedding out in the open more consistently, was when the temp was around 7 degrees for a high.

From what we've seen, I wouldn't argue with him.