Hunting Dark Timber

[MattG]

Hey gentlemen,
I've mostly lurked on this site as I don't get to hunt out west very often. That said, I've hunted in CO several times and been into elk some. By random chance I wound up hunting an area that has a lot of dark timber, is very steep, and has a fair amount of wilderness area to hunt in. I've hunted on foot from a road camp, but there was more pressure than I liked. I backpacked in last time, but was defeated by a lack of general elk hunting experience. Glassing isn't super valuable due to the dark timber. Pressure in the wilderness hasn't seemed to be that big of an issue other than some outfitters that use that area some. I know there are elk there, but getting eyes on them is mighty tough. I'm sure I could use a lot of different advice, but I don't even know many questions to ask. It seems a lot like turkey hunting, but I turkey hunt a great deal and am pretty successful. No dice with elk. Anyway, one thing I know I need help with is hunting dark timber. If anyone is willing to share some tips on dealing with thermals, how to discern likely spots vs unlikely spots, how to hunt through that noisy timber, or when to sit down and shut up it would be greatly appreciated. I'll be hunting first rifle, unit 65, if it makes a difference. Thanks in advance.

 

[kad11]

Great to hear that you are tackling the timber! All the elk I've killed have been during MT's general rifle season right near the end of Oct / beginning of Nov. From what I've seen the maturish bulls will be alone in kinda out of the way spots (timber w/ a small feeding area and water source nearby). I don't have near the experience that most do, but I'll share what has worked for me.

I think just going REALLY slow and stopping to look, listen, and smell often is the way to go in the timber. I made a fleece cover that goes over my pack so that when I accidentally hit a tree limb or brush I don't make that awful twang sound. Still hunting is mentally exhausting so take ten or twenty minute breaks when you start to lose concentration.

I haven't figured out how to move quietly in dry crusted snow yet, but softer soled boots, wool pants, and a fleece jacket have worked well in most other weather conditions.

Be ready to kill an elk anywhere. Last year i shot a bull at 4 pm at the end of Oct... I was on my way to a small clearing that I wanted to watch for the last hour of light when I stumbled on a lone bull raking a tree at about 60 yards. Just right place right time. Fight the urge to relax and go in to "travel " mode (head down, moving too fast, making noise, etc) when you are in the timber.

Similar situation on the bull this year... I was slowly making my way up to a bench I wanted to check out. I had just come out of some really nasty thick deadfall which then opened to a small clearing. There was a lone bull feeding at 35 yards in the clearing at 3 pm. Again, lucky right place right time situation, but you have to have your head up and moving slowly/ quietly so that you see them before they know you are there.

My first two years I spooked quite a few animals bc I was in too much of a hurry or had my head down. Still bust my fair share, but less than I used to. I hope some of this makes sense and is helpful. Good luck!

Almost forgot, but tracking in fresh quiet snow is about as exciting as it gets in the timber. I tracked my first bull for 4-5 hours before catching up to him at around 1 pm. If you get fresh snow look for tracks in small feeding areas and follow them...

I sure hope some of the really experienced guys chime in as I too am always excited to learn more about sneaking through the timber!

 

[Jon Boy]

+1 on tracking in fresh snow. Man is it an exciting way to hunt! I feel it is way under utilized and a very, very effective way to hunt. kad11 has a lot of good points.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Fight the urge to relax and go in to "travel " mode (head down, moving too fast, making noise, etc) when you are in the timber.

So much this. If you think you are walking slow, walk slower. Bumped a few different groups of elk last archery season walking too fast. Two steps, stop, glass, listen, smell, two steps.......

All great advice from kad11.

 

[5MilesBack]

I love busting timber for elk......deadfalls and all. But for rifle season if they aren't talking, you have to have some general idea of where they are. They will generally bed in the upper 1/3 of a timbered slope......look for benches. It's best to be in a glassing spot before first light where you can glass the fringes before the elk head into the timber to bed. Same for evening......be there to glass when they come out. The more the pressure, the more they will probably go nocturnal. Look for sign around the fringes of the timber as to where they are entering or exiting. Find water. Elk need water, but can and will travel a great distance if need be.

If actually still hunting through the timber.......take a few steps and then glass like crazy as far as you can see, looking for anything (ears, antler tip, nose, etc). Then repeat. Hunt into the wind as much as possible, and use your nose.

And if by chance they are still bugling for first rifle.......then you've hit the jackpot.

 

[alecvg]

Hunting elk in the timber is the only way I like to hunt them during rifle season. Read Robby's book on mule deer, and his section on still hunting more than applies to hunting elk in the timber. Use quiet clothing - I wear packboots and wool only. Always have your rifle ready to access, and for God's sake keep your scope power low! Good luck and have fun!

 

[njdoxie]

I hate hunting timber, it's so tiring being on edge, but this a great thread in case I have to one day. I only hunt where there is a lot of open country to glass, that's where I've killed all my elk. Glad there are timber hunters, so we're not all watching parks.

 

[Maxhunter]

I've killed lots of elk in dark timber. Basically I just still hunt through it. The key is to move very very slowly. What I mean is walk a couple yards then stop look and listen. I always stop by a tree. Also use trails there usually quieter to walk on. Most shots will be very close. I also do this when bow hunting and have taken lots of elk with this technique. If your rifle hunting turn down your scope to 4 power or less.

You need to be on high alert because you just never know when an animal will appear.

On a windy day this can be very deadly since their hearing will be drastically impaired.


I was using this technique I mentioned above on my 2015 bull.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?37715-My-2015-Wyoming-Archery-Bull

 

[5MilesBack]

I hate hunting timber, it's so tiring being on edge

For me, being on edge is WAYYYYY better than being bored out of my mind. If I have a rifle in my hands, this is the only way I hunt. I've killed the majority of my rifle elk over the years this way with most of them coming under 50 yards. My last was at 25 yards and the year before I switched to archery. I actually stood there before I even shot, thinking to myself......"Man, I should have a bow in my hands". The next year I did and haven't looked back.

 

[Brian Stewart]

My dad loves the dark timber. He has one gap that he has taken 4 or 5 bulls in sitting on the same rock. The last bull he killed fell in a bone pile from a bull a couple years before. He has found a place they like to cross when pressured. I've killed a couple in the dark timber by getting on bench and cow calling. Seems that Bulls will still come in today cow call in late October. I've killed a few slipping through the timber as well. I was thinking of ordering a 45/70 guide gun and put a 2x scout scope on it just to hunt the timber with since things can happen fast.

 

[Jason Snyder]

+1 on tracking in fresh snow. Man is it an exciting way to hunt! I feel it is way under utilized and a very, very effective way to hunt. kad11 has a lot of good points.

There is not a single way to hunt that is much more fun than tracking elk in fresh snow. I've been within 5 yards of elk before tracking them in the snow. It's not always a guaranteed shot, but it sure is fun.

 

[Jon Boy]

I don't think people realize how affective it is. If your in good shape and cut a track that's a few hours old you will no doubt catch up to that elk unless it's during a migration

 

[MattG]

Thanks gentlemen! This is helpful. I have a buddy who travels and kills pretty much every year. Slowest moving hunter I've ever hunted with. I guess that's why he's so effective.

 

[Jamo]

Great thread guys! I've often thought that I've been moving way too fast and it's definitely an area I need to work on as I have yet to get an elk after three unsuccessful archery attempts. I can think of two different instances where I could have had legitimate chances at getting an elk had I been moving slower. Instead I was head down moving to the next spot I wanted to hunt and wouldn't ya know, after hearing movement I look over and there they go! $%*!!! I've also heard a lot of guys say the older they got the more elk the seen simply because they were moving slower. So, i'm gonna try slow it down a gear this year!

 

[gmajor]

Got within 5 yards of a nice bull last year moving slow through timber on the upper side of a slope, wind in my face obviously. Had a cow tag.

 

[Jarhead]

Your area sounded very familiar, especially once you said you would be in 65. I've hunted this area the last 8 years. If you want PM me a more specific area in the unit and I'll point you in the right direction.

 

[sodaksooner]

Benches. Seems like just about every elk we have ever gotten into in the timber was on a bench of some sort.

 

[Elkfitness]

+1 on the benches. On a map, look to find the fringe areas where the elk will be entering after feeding. Then, look above those areas to find the benches. I've taken numerous cows during first and second rifle in Colorado on these benches at about 830-930am. The wind can get dicey so you have to keep that in mind, and work side hill if needed. As others mentioned, go slower than you think can go and use your binoculars and your sixth sense. My last 5 or 6 cow elk have all been under 75 yds with the rifle in dark timber, so make sure you have a low enough power on the scope.

 

[jspickar]

+1 on tracking in fresh snow. Still hunting w/o snow can be tough mentally. I would recommend a good pair of binos for glassing while still hunting. Glassing is very important when tracking. I would also get a good bino harness that protects your binos from snow. Kuiu, badlands or sitka. Nothing worse than having snow fall into your eye cups. Check out the safari rifle sling. Good way to carry your rifle so you can glass while sneaking through the timber

 

[CrzyTrekker]

Got within 5 yards of a nice bull last year moving slow through timber on the upper side of a slope, wind in my face obviously. Had a cow tag.

+1

This is how I killed my bull last September, by descending onto a small herd situated just below timberline.

The technique: Get above timberline and wait until afternoon thermals are rising steadily uphill. Drop down into the timber strip. Stay close to the top of the timber strip so the elk do not wind you. Take a knee and listen for elk talking to each other, and slowly move towards the sound. Slow waaaaaayyyyy down. Stop often and listen. Go alone. Be quiet. Weapon at the ready.

Understand that timber strips in Colorado are dead or dying which is allowing more sunlight into the dark timber. In September last year there was lush green grass growing inside those timber strips, and nowhere else. That certainly had an effect on where the elk spent the majority of their time.