how much wind is too much?

[Chirogrow]

I just got back from 4 days elk hunting, we got 5 inches of snow and had constant wind about 20 mph with gusts up to 40. We never saw an animal before coming home. there are always exceptions but how much wind is too much for elk to want to move around? I've tagged out on this OTC unit for the last 5 years in a row so I feel good about knowing where the elk like to hang around, we hiked hoping to find some track in the snow but either the elk didn't get up or the wind blew over their track and i'm not a good enough tracker to know the difference which is very possible.

 

[VbarZ]

I’m no expert, but it was snowing sideways on us while we were glassing up bulls this year. They were just out feeding per usual and they were staying mostly below the snow line. My guess is they may have moved to lower elevations on you.


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[Wrench]

The nastiest weather makes for the hungriest elk. I find they tend to either be in thick cover if food is available or feeding way in the middle of a field in the wind.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

I think elk don't like the wind, they can't hear noises that would normally alert them. 20 MPH and no animal would have to worry about me being out there. I HATE, HATE, the wind.

 

[bz_711]

Wind is fine up until I can't shoot an arrow 15 yards accurately.

 

[TaperPin]

I just got back from 4 days elk hunting, we got 5 inches of snow and had constant wind about 20 mph with gusts up to 40. We never saw an animal before coming home. there are always exceptions but how much wind is too much for elk to want to move around? I've tagged out on this OTC unit for the last 5 years in a row so I feel good about knowing where the elk like to hang around, we hiked hoping to find some track in the snow but either the elk didn't get up or the wind blew over their track and i'm not a good enough tracker to know the difference which is very possible.

Elk have to eat, but they will often hunker down until the snow breaks, or feed in more protected areas. Snow on the ground and I’ll be moving fast to find fresh sign - some of the best hunting there is.

 

[Chirogrow]

Elk have to eat, but they will often hunker down until the snow breaks, or feed in more protected areas. Snow on the ground and I’ll be moving fast to find fresh sign - some of the best hunting there is.

This may have been my biggest mistake, the first morning while it was still windy and snowing I decided to glass to see if they'd be up and I think I should have looked for tracks knowing that the wind would likely cover up all the sign.

 

[TaperPin]

This may have been my biggest mistake, the first morning while it was still windy and snowing I decided to glass to see if they'd be up and I think I should have looked for tracks knowing that the wind would likely cover up all the sign.

Windy and snowing is tough all around - at least you know all tracks are fresh.