Mt elk hunt help

[mk_v]

I'm having some issues this year getting into elk. I'm hunting by Hamilton. I have researched the area a lot and scouted it a lot in the summer when work permitted. Last weekend I found a herd of cows there was 12 that I could see but no Bulls. I went out today and there was a lot more pressure from other hunters than the previous weekend. Hiked total of 15 miles, no elk to be seen or heard. I switched my go to plan and moved to where I thought the elk may have moved to get away from the pressure of other hunters (away from the road in only trail accessible areas). Still no luck locating anything, the only thing I ran into was a grizzly bear. Any tips? Should I scrap the idea of hunting the area I was in or be persistent? I only have 1 day a week I can devote to hunting unfortunately, and I'm trying to make it successful. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[BowElkStalker]

I feel your pain! Last week no elk but had a wolf come to my cow calls The elk around here are super quiet, except for the Elk Horns. Keep after it and good luck.

 

[goodgrouper]

I don't have any experience hunting your area but I have a cousin in Hamilton that's in the cattle business and he says wolves are a major problem there.

 

[krossh]

I'm with you man, I just got back from a week in Central MT. Started off hot with a few close encounters, but the elk weren't talking like I'd hoped. I spent the middle of the week in the hospital for kidney stones and after that just felt completely defeated. I came home early to regroup. I'm going to see if I can't get into them near the Thompson Falls area.

 

[mk_v]

Glad I'm not the only one having issues. I'm planning on just moving spots and hope for the best this weekend. I still haven't heard a bugle. Hope you get on your feet soon krossh good luck in the Thompson Falls area.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Are you going out VERY early in the morning or staying out VERY late at night? If it's hot and the elk are very inactive during the day, they'll still be vocal during these times. They don't completely take a vow of abstinence, they just do their thing when it's cooler.

If you flat aren't hearing elk or finding fresh sign of elk, I'd say that's a good hint to go somewhere else.

 

[mk_v]

Are you going out VERY early in the morning or staying out VERY late at night? If it's hot and the elk are very inactive during the day, they'll still be vocal during these times. They don't completely take a vow of abstinence, they just do their thing when it's cooler.

If you flat aren't hearing elk or finding fresh sign of elk, I'd say that's a good hint to go somewhere else.

I go early in the morning until dark. Normally get to where I hunt at 5am and am in my way home about 9pm. I've seen a lot of sign but just not hearing anything or seeing anything. This last weekend. Thanks for the reply I appreciate the help

 

[danarnold]

we just got back from the gravelly's for a 10 day hunt, I saw a spike and very little sign the first 7 days, no bugles. it was very tough so keep positive
Day 8 I heard a bugle in a hidden bowl I was heading towards, I got close and did some cow calling which got quick responses but he wouldn't come in, next day I got on him in the same area at about 10:30 and we went back & forth with me cow calling and him responding, when i broke out my bugle thats all she wrote, I tried just a subtle bugle but that was enough to shut him up and made him slide out of there

day 10 was the first day I even saw him, 4 cows and a calf, I arrowed him @ 57 yards

I cant give advice on your area but keep pushing and hopefully you'll get on them
Good Luck!