Scouting in June 2017 - Worth the time/$$?

[rokclmb]

I have the opportunity to tag along on work related trip with my wife to Denver this coming June (1st weekend). I've hunted CO for the past couple years and plan to do so in 2017 (archery). My question is: If I were to go and make a scouting trip out of it, will I gain any useful info at this time of year? I'm committed to hunting my usual spots, as we've been into lots of elk every year. I'd love to go and spend a solo weekend on the Mtn, but can't justify the cost if I'm not going to gain any knowledge that will be useful come Sept.

Thoughts??

 

[Hayguide]

any scouting anytime is always benificail- you can bump a few elk without doing harm. Fall sign will still be visable-I would do it if I had a chance.

 

[wyosteve]

Depending on location, there still might be a lot of snow.

 

[justinspicher]

Always a benny in my mind. You can find water for you and animals, game trails, camping spots, glassing points and track mileage so you know how long it'll take you get to different places.

 

[topher89]

Worth it. You can find water sources, places to set up camp and likely spots to set up and glass/hunt. While the elk may not be in the same place they will be in September, the land and water isn't moving.

Getting to know the land you are hunting is always worth it

 

[paleraider]

Definitely worth it. I did this in may-july of last year and found several good spots. Some passages where blocked by snow but it actually made finding tracks really easy.

 

[hobbes]

Scouting is always beneficial, but I'd probably check out new country if already familiar with one area. As mentioned, snow can still be a problem at higher elevations especially early June. You can still scout but some of the deeper snow drifts may still block the roads.

 

[xziang]

"I'd love to go and spend a solo weekend on the Mtn, but can't justify the cost if I'm not going to gain any knowledge that will be useful come Sept."

The knowledge will be useful but will it be worth the cost that is the biggest thing. As someone else said I would possibly scout a different area as a backup plan and maybe grab a spotting scope and scout from afar to cover more ground. (if the terrain allows) Anytime in the mountains is worth it for me but that is part of the vacation to me. Just depends on what it'll end up costing you $$$

I haven't checked the regs, or hunt your usual spot but grab some cheap trail cams and put them up during that time frame.

 

[Beastmode]

Depending on location, there still might be a lot of snow.

I agree with Steve on this. Anything with any elevation will probably still have quite a bit of snow. Depending on how late we get snow this winter.

This doesn't mean the trip won't be benificial but animals tend to get pushed down by the snow and then follow the snow line back up as it melts. You probably won't get a great idea of where the animals will be later I'm the year but you will get a way better lay of the land than what you get from sitting at home.


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[missjordan]

Yes I think it's worth it. Scouting early can help you learn the terrain better, find access points, water, bedding areas, roads you didn't know about before. The list is endless


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[5MilesBack]

I guess that depends on what you're looking for or expecting to find. Any time in the mountains is great, but June if awfully early in a lot of places. Personally, I don't know what I'd be looking for that I wouldn't find in September while I'm actually hunting. My main scouting routine is based more on new areas........finding access points, places to camp, water, etc.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Too early in my opinion. Last year I couldn't be even get into my elk spot due to snow. The elk probably won't be back in there either. It will be hard to find water sources because it'll be so wet you won't know if it's runoff or year round water. Maybe you can find some old rubs or old wallows if they aren't filled with water and unrecognizable. Also, be careful that time of year. You could easily get caught in a snow storm.

 

[4rcgoat]

If your lucky enough to be in the mountains, your lucky enough.

 

[kicker338]

To me scouting is a broad term, most all the successful guy's I know including myself, scout for elk any time we set foot in the woods, we don't go to the woods, mountians to look at them we go looking for elk and elk sign.

 

[ElkNut1]

Appreciating that you've elk hunted this area several times now & are some what familiar with it I would not really take a special trip as if it were a new area to get the lay of the land so to speak. In June it will not help you to know where the elk may be in Sept. Now if you have several trail cameras that you can leave there at water sources, travel routes between feeding & bedding areas etc. then you bet do so in June & check cameras when you're back there in Sept. This can give you areas to consider & times that they're being used. Outside of that it's a camping trip.

ElkNut1

 

[cnelk]

This is what I run into when I try to get to my elk areas in June/July
Be prepared

 

[rokclmb]

Thanks everyone for the helpful insights. I'll keep the trip open as a possibility for now and decide as the time draws near. I hunt wilderness area and haven't every used trail cams in the area (i know of many great place I'd like to put them). I may look into this as a possibility if its permitted. I also thought about leaving a supply cashe, but again, I'll need to read up on the regs on that. Anyone ever do/try this with any luck? We backpack hunt and thought it may make our trip a bit more enjoyable to have some stashed supplies awaiting us. Were looking to add a few extra days to our hunt this year if needed, so it would come in handy.

 

[JWP58]

Last yr at 10k feet at the wilderness access trailhead I use there was still 3ft of snow. August is the best time it think. Perfect weather and close enough to the season to pattern animals.

 

[fngTony]

If you have some time Denver you could check out the local shops, make some connections. Never know where that may lead. Rmsg, 1 shot gear, kifaru, various archery shops.