How do you hunt elk?

[cmeier117]

How would you hunt elk?

I know each year is different but for this question lets say we are hunting the middle two weeks of the season so September 1st-14th or some dates in there. The place you are hunting is 7000K feet or so backpack style hunt. You have never been to this location this year yet so you are not confident where the elk are? Has a mixture or open meadows mixed in with thick heavy timber. First morning what would you do? Would you get to a good glassing point and over look some of those open areas to see if Elk are moving? Would you cold call? Would you take off tromping through the timber? How long would you continue to do one of these things you have chosen before you would do something else or leave? You will be there for 9 days lets say.

 

[brianboh]

Not sure but I will be in this scenario come the start of Aug. Matter fact I have never hunted Elk but I am confident one will get nailed with a solid in the lungs.

 

[cmeier117]

This was my scenario last year, this year I kinda know the terrain better and will have an idea. I honestly plan to get to a couple of ridges before sun rise and class the meadows (or in this units case canyons) for elk. There are tons of timber patches and fingers running down the sides of these mountains and you can see for a mile or so.... I will sit there for a few days if I don't see anything or hear anything I will move.

 

[littlebuf]

in a area like that I would be glassing too. where I elk hunt you cant glass worth a chit, I move and call, stalk to bugles.

 

[cmeier117]

in a area like that I would be glassing too. where I elk hunt you cant glass worth a chit, I move and call, stalk to bugles.

That is how I hunt on weekends closer to home, It is so thick.

 

[Manosteel]

Where I hunt elk they don't get too vocal until after September 10 and peak about 15-19th, during those times I would listen at night to locate bugling bulls and even throw out a few bugles myself to locate bulls. Then I know the general direction to head out toward before first light. I did this last year when hunting a new area and I found a real hot spot with 4 good bulls inside a 3 km area. If its’ too early for calling, I would glass likely feeding areas focusing on transition zones with heavy cover. I found cows love to walk parralle with the tree line.

 

[cmeier117]

Where I hunt elk they don't get too vocal until after September 10 and peak about 15-19th, during those times I would listen at night to locate bugling bulls and even throw out a few bugles myself to locate bulls. Then I know the general direction to head out toward before first light. I did this last year when hunting a new area and I found a real hot spot with 4 good bulls inside a 3 km area. If its’ too early for calling, I would glass likely feeding areas focusing on transition zones with heavy cover. I found cows love to walk parralle with the tree line.

Was the calling you did at night? I am going out September 7th-15th.

 

[TJ]

I would spend some time glassing but not days. In the area I hunt you may catch the elk in the meadows and openings the first hour of light MAYBE. Usually by then they are heading towards their bedding area.

If nothing pans out after glassing I'll hit the ridges and finger ridges and do some calling, looking for fresh sign etc, depending upon the thermals and wind.
In my area they are often going to be in the timbered canyons and draws with water and lots of cover.

 

[littlebuf]

That is how I hunt on weekends closer to home, It is so thick.

It's not ream thick where I'm hunting there's just no vantage points above where I'm hunting. And I agree about calling at night, way more vocal and gives you a good heading for the morning. Last year I had a bull bugleing about 40 yards from my tent at 2am. That will wake you up

 

[rodney482]

Early Sept, we have found that hanging out in dark timber all day works great.

Just have to watch your wind.

Waterholes can be golden as well.

 

[Daniel_M]

Wanted to share this story of an Alaskan based Elk hunt. The author is also a member here, Bighorse. Hope the pics show up.

Perhaps a few points can be taken and applied to others' hunts.

Crazy logistics using 3 modes of transportation

Needle in a haystack herd located in a dense rainforest environment. Narnia is 5 star in comparison.

http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php?t=121473

 

[cmeier117]

That is a great story and a tough hunt!!

 

[Manosteel]

Was the calling you did at night? I am going out September 7th-15th.

Yup, we had scouted out some likely areas to hold elk before the season using google earth (it was a last minute OTC archery hunt and we both didn't have time to scout the area before hand) and asking people who hunted the area before the general place to start. We walked out after setting up camp at night and listend. We then walked about a km from camp in two different direction and let out some calls. We both got immediate responses and it was game on the next morning.

 

[Shrek]

That looked really tough . Everything wet and slick and covered in moss. Sweet trip though with a great prize.

 

[Daniel_M]

Chris is a glutton for punishment. I swear he's part ox part goat. And 2013 will be no different. He drew another technical elk tag.

 

[manbearpig]

There is not a bad idea here, great techniques above.

 

[Sunspot]

Google Earth and review topo maps. Understand the predominate winds and it is amazing how quickly you can hone in on areas of interest.

 

[trophyhill]

Early I try to match the mood of the elk locating once in a while and some occasional cow calls and staying on the move using elk trails stalking quietly looking for sign. Once I find sign I may set up for some blind calling or try to find where they are eating, sleeping and watering for a possible ambush at some point. The closer it gets to the 10th the more vocal I become and try to adjust accordingly.

 

[MAT]

Would you take off tromping through the timber?

This is absolutely the worst thing you can do anytime, and a lot of hunters do this. If elk are in the area you will know it, they leave a lot of sign, so if is fresh and they are quiet glass, or find a wallow or natural funnel to wait them out. The hardest part (at least on public land in CO) is finding them. Bump them and they are gone. IMO this is the #1 piece of advice for anyone hunting elk. It also helps others who maybe in the area or hunting after you .

 

[Bighorse]

Elk hunting

Thanks for the Props on my 2012 Etolin Elk. I did a Mt goat, sheep, and caribou hunt in prep for that one. My legs were good.
Indeed I've drawn it again, Archery style. I'm doing with in tandem with another gentleman who arrowed a good bull in 2012 there also. We know the terrain and the challenge of hunting the rainforest.
The schedule this year will be similar. This time I'm packing deep into the AK Range for a Trophy Class August Caribou. The permit I've drawn is rumored to have some really special animals. Then I'll quickly transistion to Etolin where I've got ten days budgeted for this Archery Bull.

And whats a hunting season without a solo Mt. Goat to get the legs loosened up. I'll be doing a five day August 1st in SE Alaska. If I score it will be my fourth solo Mt. Goat.

So back to the technique for Elk hunting......Get high, wake up early, stay up late, hydrate, stay stealthy, eat, and rest when you get home. I'm not an expert elk hunter but I've shot the crap out of high country Sitka Blacktails. I work the sign and make sure I'm in a good vantage when the glassing is best. Be prepared at any moment to move where the animals are. Don't be afraid of time and distance. It's just time and distance. Like I said......rest when you get home. Be patient and appreciate the wilderness. The dead periods between activity should be appreciated too. The grateful and positive hunter always succeeds. Work the wind. Be practiced with your choosen weapon. Be prepared for your field chores.