Roosevelt Elk Logging Country E-Scouting Tactics

[gloveglobe]

Hi, all!

Oregon OTC archery elk hunter over here. I've been fortunate enough to have some access to some private timber property littered with elk that I've grown up hunting in, so never had to do much e-scouting. However, because of issues with people trespassing and poaching, the family has closed down all hunting on the property. So I'll be doing the "pay to play" and hunting some Weyhauser land this season. Aside from looking for clear cuts, recent logging ops, etc, what are some other things you look for when e-scouting? Would be interested to know peoples opinions who have hunted western OR/WA and even northern Idaho.

Thanks in advanced, and stay safe!

 

[Indian Summer]

Around there I’d be looking for places where elk are moving on and off of private land.

 

[shootnrun]

Coastal elk still need the same things. Feed, water, bed. I focus on cuts that are edged with thick cover and have water nearby. Preferably ones that dont have a roads below them. If you're paying for a drive in, I'd be out pre-season scouting. You can often glass up herds no different than out west. Quite beneficial to confirm your suspicions. Ive found the roosies usually dont move a lot when pressured. They just wander to a nearby sanctuary and quietly hole up. So when the horde shows up for season opener, dont think all the elk have left.

 

[hibernation]

Ive found the roosies usually dont move a lot when pressured.

That's definitely been my experience. Sometimes they just shuffle over into the thick timber, then quietly lurk there for a long time listening to see if they're being pursued. It's not like rocky mtn elk that might go up and over an entire ridgeline when they get bumped, rosies might only go 200yds.

 

[hibernation]

Roads for sure. Check the satellite imagery date if you can, that'll give you some more confidence in whether a clearcut is still viable, compared to being too fresh and still a barren wasteland, or too old and it's just impenetrable reprod. Google earth is still the best for that, but onx seems to be adding new features pretty regularly.

Does Weyco give out maps that show which gates are open vs closed? That's always hard to tell from looking at maps, it can be frustrating finding a great looking area but then the gate is wide open and everyone's driving through the same clearcut all day. Elk must hear the same "engine shuts off, car door, bugle, engine starts back up" every 20 minutes in some places.