Late season cow hunt in the snow (tactics)

[Buckshot51]

Hello. So my son drew a late season ( December 20th-Jan 31st) cow elk tag . We’re about to head out tomorrow morning . It’s been dumping snow for the last 24 hours . It’s supposed to let up and sunrise tomorrow morning and be cold . My question is :

Will elk be beaded during the day if it’s been snowing heavily and now cold ?
Or will they more likely be up feeding and trying to stay warm on south facing slopes ?

Any insights and or opinions would be much appreciated.
Thanks fellas


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[westslopelaker]

They will be up and feeding after the storm breaks.

 

[BBob]

^^^ what he said.

 

[jthreeidaho]

Should be good conditions for finding them. Good luck!

 

[svivian]

You should be in for a good day today.

 

[Jmoore]

Just got back and my boys doubled up. We didn't have any snow and sure wished we would have. Should be good to get them up and moving. Good luck.

 

[Hunterbug]

You shouldn't have much trouble finding them. They'll be in big herds. Just drive and glass.

 

[Buckshot51]

Thanks for the response everyone . We ended up finally glassing a small herd of elk (10-12) but the sun was going down and a knarly storm was rolling in …
I have two questions:
1) should I go back to that same spot in the AM and check to see if the herd is still in the area ?
2) we saw a TON of deer . Do elk and deer cohabitate in close proximity?
Thanks in advance


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[Ucsdryder]

Thanks for the response everyone . We ended up finally glassing a small herd of elk (10-12) but the sun was going down and a knarly storm was rolling in …
I have two questions:
1) should I go back to that same spot in the AM and check to see if the herd is still in the area ?
2) we saw a TON of deer . Do elk and deer cohabitate in close proximity?
Thanks in advance


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No… I would go on a completely different direction that you don’t know, that probably has no elk, and wander around in a giant snowstorm, rather than going back to the spot where you just found elk…

 

[Hunterbug]

Yes, I would go back there. I don't anticipate that they would travel very far.

 

[Buckshot51]

No… I would go on a completely different direction that you don’t know, that probably has no elk, and wander around in a giant snowstorm, rather than going back to the spot where you just found elk…

Hahaha . Point taken . I guess if you beg for a bone you can’t complain on how it tastes …. Iol
Thank you sir


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[waitforit]

There are lessons I learn, forget, and re-learn. "Don't leave elk to find elk". Most of the time they will be right where you left them. Also, whatever you consider to be steep, or cold, or snowy, or difficult doesn't seem to phase them quite as much.. so long as they can eat and have escape cover there isn't much reason for them to leave.

I had a stupid day this season where I walked right into a herd in thick cover (not expecting them to be there) and blew them out. I then proceeded to track them and push them around 3-4 more times without getting a shot. I left that night thinking I'd ruined it.. Wouldn't you know the next morning they were bedded in the same 100 sq ft that I glassed them in that day before I made my move. Whatever that spot held for them was so great that even the annoying human didn't send them away. That story ended well for me and I'm still trying to figure out what made that spot so appealing.

Best advice I have for late season is just be out there all day and always be looking.. and its not nearly as important to be out there at the crack of dawn or until last light.