Strategy for high pressure area

[chili370]

Kind of a unique situation:

High desert unit, with just a few isolated and timbered mountains that sit as individual islands in a sea of sage. There are elk on each of the mountains but they don’t really go down into the sea, so.. everyone is relegated just being in the same places chasing the same (small) herds all around the few miles that are the tops and the timbered slopes. No drivable roads to the top so it’s all hikers regardless.

We’re of course going to be sleeping on top, up first thing first morning and trying beat everyone to the punch, but is there really any other strategy that I’m missing or could be employing to solve for the ‘simply can’t away from people’ problem? Or it’s just going to be luck?

Oh, and, rifle.

 

[35WhelenAI]

With respect, not unique... It's a question that gets asked over and over, "what do I do when other hunters are in the area to better my chances". Is there anything about your plan you expect someone would say is incorrect? Do you feel confident in the strategy you lined out? If yes, do it.

 

[Coveyleader]

Sounds like a horrible hunt. Strategy, find another place. Nothing of that hunt sounds fun at all even if you kill one first thing first AM.

 

[Jhaury7]

Day 1…Have one tied to a tree and put a bullet in em first light opening day. Scout possible areas that would be the elk safe haven once they’re being shot at. Hunt that area the rest of the day. Day 2…go home

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Study the map and find a good chokepoint with a game trail through it. Get there in the dark and be ready at first light.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[Hnthrdr]

Are you sure they don’t go down into “no man’s land” lots of elk in the high sage desert in Co that will live in the middle of it and not much for trees for miles… just maybe keep checking even giant bulls can disappear in pretty subtle terrain

 

[35WhelenAI]

Be ready at first light like everyone else will be, get ready for a barrage of gunfire if a single elk shows its face. Make sure you're the fastest to get to it when it goes down, otherwise duck as the elk takes off.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Study the map and find a good chokepoint with a game trail through it. Get there in the dark and be ready at first light.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

Has that worked for you on elk in the past?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Has that worked for you on elk in the past?

No. But pressured animals have to go somewhere. They can’t fly and they generally follow the path of least resistance to get to cover.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[Nickofthewoods]

High desert elk will surprise you. Your plan to be up high is good because you'll be better able to glass all the areas below where you think the elk aren't.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Then race all the other people up high that glass the elk down low because they see the same elk and following this thread as well.

In all seriousness, sounds like a tough go if you already expect what you shared in the first post. Were you expecting that when you applied for the tag?

 

[bucksnbirds]

Go low. They will eventually be bumped out of the pressured areas. Carry big glass and watch the low desert areas