Scratching my head a bit…

[Thomasj1107]

Spent 7 days in the elk woods with a general tag in Montana last week. Same area I killed a bull last year, was into elk just about every hunt morning and evening for a week but couldn’t seal the deal. Last two days however, woods went completely quiet. Im hesitant to leave and look for other “spots”, but I feel kind of too reliant on basically the only two spots I’ve reliably found elk for the past two seasons. What would you do? I have 6 more days starting Thursday and that’s it.

Would venturing away from where I know they’ve been be a good option? If so, venture away and glass other places at dawn and dusk or cover as much new ground as possible calling?

 

[Yooper]

Personally, I wouldn't leave elk to find elk, especially if you're confident that they're there. Could be a host of reasons they weren't talking. I know that full moon last week played a part in our hunt in Wyoming, as did the heat and the wind. More movement at 10 to noon than early and late for a good part of the week. The bulls advertising earlier in the week went silent and the bulls with cows also quieted down. No cows coming close to estrus yet I suspect. If it were me, I'd go back to the same area and give it hell for your last days.

 

[cnelk]

Elk will tolerate being disturbed only so much before they vacate.
Sounds like you hassled them for a week straight.

Maybe drift to another spot for a day or two and let the area calm down. You'll still have a few days to hunt it again later

 

[mike.adams.467]

I've seen them leave an area when a pack of wolves moved through. They generally return when the wolves leave.

 

[Deadfall]

3..2..1 rule.
Hear you 3 times
See you 2 times
Smell you 1 time.

Give it a week