June Scouting for 1st season Elk?

[Trout&Buck]

So my dad and I drew our 1st choice for Colorado Elk which is a 1st season tag in the northern part of the state. I have a Friend's wedding coming up at the end of the month that is within a few hours and being that I live in Northeast Iowa this seems like a convenient opportunity to get a scouting trip in.

At a minimum I'd like to get an idea of road conditions and potential access points to national forest and BLM ground, but would it be worth doing any actual Elk scouting? Will animals be in similar areas around the end of June and mid October, I imagine that would be super weather dependant and also impacted by hunting pressure. Would anyone be willing to to share some tips on what would be worth looking for or at?

Thanks, I appreciate any help you can offer.

 

[Poser]

Cows are in their calving areas and bulls are in bachelor groups. The fun part of June scouting is that elk are super easy to find, however, their behavior is completely different then in the Fall. Calving groups will often be bedded down out in the open high country this time of year. It is possible to find elk near some of these same locations in the Fall, but, for the most part, their core areas and movement patterns will be completely different. Road conditions and access points would be a more valuable use of your time, but, realistically, I think I'd have a harder time not finding elk in June than I would finding them so if you get out and about, I expect you'll see some animals anyway.

 

[Huntinmechanic]

Very likely the elk will not be in the exact same area come October. However, as you mentioned, depending on pressure, vegetation, terrain/cover, they could be very close. Maybe a few miles one way or the other and a couple thousand vertical feet. This is my first hand experience in the units I hunt in SW CO. I would definitely recommend checking the area out for a few days to familiarize yourself with the terrain, roads and private property lines.

 

[patagonialuke]

I agree with the others — familiarize yourself with terrain, roads, etc.,

That said, if I were you, I'd definitely spend at least a bit of time glassing during the early and late hours of the day. There's a good chance you won't find elk in the exact same spots in October, but if you know where some are in June, you'd at least have some data to use to guess where they might go depending on weather, pressure, etc. Worst case, you get a closer look at the terrain.

I spend a ton of time watching the elk around me (SW CO, ~9000') throughout the year, and at least for the zones nearby that I focus on, I've seen elk consistently return to the same feeding areas from May through early November. Of course, no zone or herd is the same, and several factors could cause them to move. But the cows I keep tabs on don't move much throughout the summer. Then, around the rut, the bulls usually meet them roughly around their summer calving grounds, so that's where I like to start looking in September and October.

 

[cnelk]

I’d just drive the roads that are accessible - some will still be closed due to calving grounds.

Look for places to camp and if you see game poles, that’s a good sign.
Especially if they are 8’ or higher.

I wouldn’t worry about scouting for elk, you’ll probably see tracks on the roads

The COTREX app will tell you all about the road and closures.

 

[yo_vinny]

IMO more data on the unit you plan to be in can't hurt. Even if the elk aren't in the same exact area, you'll probably learn something useful. Scouting access points is a great idea and will save you headache during the season. I'd also recommend scouting glassing spots too. A knob might look great on a map but in reality it could be a waste of time.

Ultimately whatever time you spend now scouting, even if it isn't for actual elk locations, will help you be more productive/efficient during the season.

 

[TradLife406]

I'm already scouting for my special permit in Montana. Started in May. Hit it hard this weekend. Found a bull this morning that already has about 3.5' of main beam. Where as the smaller bulls he was with just had their fronts seconds and a little main beam.

I've never been in this area so I've just been through hiking the trail systems. Marking glassing points as I go.

Never too early to scout. Sure the elk might not be in the same place come season but being familiar with the landscape never hurts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[awcopeland]

40” of main beam? That’s impressive. Pics or it didn’t happen
Must be an area that has been getting some good moisture.

 

[Bear Wrestler]

I was in a similar situation last year with a tag for an area I'd never been a few states away. Before I visited to scout in June I had picked several potential glassing points, feeding areas, water sources, and trails. I covered as much ground as I could in order to lay eyes on those spots and confirm if they were what I hoped they'd be. That information ended up paying off handsomely in October.

 

[Zach Pritchard]

There is a lot of good advice in this discussion. I would listen and do all of it. Especially the part of honing in on a few areas where you would like to hunt based on what you find e-scouting. Then while you are in town navigate access points and get a good feel for the lay of the land. This will help you determine camping/shelter, parking, water, etc. You will head back home with some much needed insight to further refine your scouting and planning efforts.

 

[Trout&Buck]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I've picked out a few areas to check out. That are all higher up on national forest ground. Would it be worth spending much time checking out lower elevation BLM ground too? L

 

[Dakota Dude]

A former Iowan here, most likely not for 1st rifle.

 

[Phaseolus]

Getting boots on the ground and getting an idea of the lay of the land is always worth doing.

 

[spike camp]

Drive roads, find the rub forest.

 

[Skeet]

If nothing else it’s a great way to get a lay of the land and learn the roads and trail heads

 

[Hnthrdr]

40” of main beam? That’s impressive. Pics or it didn’t happen
Must be an area that has been getting some good moisture.

Most mature “big” bulls will have at least that by now, this bull is a week or so later, well over 40” main beams

 

[Broadhead]

I often use the July 4th holiday and long weekend from work to get some scouting in. As previously mentioned, it's more about seeing the access points and glassing locations than it is about finding elk. If you stumble upon some well used game trails, dark timber, water sources, and prior years rubs in the same vicinity, you're probably in the zone they'll be in during 1st rifle. Really depends on how many hunters have been in that area pushing them during archery/muzzleloader as to whether they'll be there during October or not.

 

[Trout&Buck]

Well, I got back from Colorado on Saturday and I'd say the trip was worth it. I was able to check out a bunch of forest roads found what I hope will be some good areas to have a closer look at come October. I managed to find a couple herds of elk but they were all cows with calves as far as I could tell. I did see some decent (to me) mulies and pronghorn though.

Thanks for the advice and motivation guys!