What do y’all do when the elk are just too high up?

[DertyBert]

Go hunt them and take advantage of the ability to spot and stalk. Elk are where you find them

 

[CMS829]

Theres no such thing as too high. Unless you need supplemental oxygen. So maybe then....but no.

 

[CMS829]

I was at 9200' today looking at a herd of elk at about 10,800. 5 bulls. There is NO getting to these elk. The terrain is impossibly steep.

picture or topo of said terrain?

 

[Andrew12gauge]

It’s funny that a lot of the original advice I saw in this thread was that you must hunt as high as possible in a unit to get into elk. Where I hunted this year we were hunting in the 7-8000’ range at the highest points in the unit, after a few days of not seeing elk in the backcountry we decided to start exploring new areas, ended up finding elk at about 5000’ on our way up another mountain. Turns out elk kinda live at all elevations, not just the tippy top of the highest mountains


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[Wapiti student]

Like I said good luck, no clue what state or what peaks are around you, but even with some real cold often elk won’t come down, you are talking 24” of hard crusted snow to get them out. I see big herds occasionally winter around 10k if they can, this is in Co of course so maybe different for you, but use the thermals and get high and go nail one of them! Heck they might even run down hill after they are hit for you

I'm in Co also, went out scouting last weekend at 7k and found nothing. This weekend i'll start at 10,800 and work my way up to 11,800. I'm a FNG but agree they're not in the lower elevation with this wonderful fall weather we're having. Now if I can get away from all the hikers still out or better yet if they are still around during first rifle I can get them to help pack out if I'm lucky enough. lol

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

picture or topo of said terrain?

The topo has already been posted.

 

[Phaseolus]

The topo has already been posted.

Nice pictures, Paul.

 

[Rd7fox]

Where I've been hunting the past 8-10 years, the elk are rarely above 9500. Most are 8-9000. In my area, water is rare above 9500 and elk like water-daily. I hunt September, so that's another factor.

 

[Minute_of_Antelope]

I went high like y’all said

 

[Hnthrdr]

I went high like y’all said View attachment 611339

See look at that congratulations!

 

[Minute_of_Antelope]

See look at that congratulations!

Thanks brother

 

[Fowl Play]

There ya go! Congrats man

 

[WoodrowCall]

Congratulations!

 

[The Guide]

I have learned a few things and one of them is that you can hunt where you want to or you can kill elk where they live.

Jay

 

[feanor]

Good stuff. Congrats on getting up to them. I was about to recommend a helicopter, but it seems you’ve done it on your own.

 

[SonnyDay]

Nice work! Congrats!

 

[Minute_of_Antelope]

Good stuff. Congrats on getting up to them. I was about to recommend a helicopter, but it seems you’ve done it on your own.

Haha, wonder if that violates motorized hunting rules?

 

[Minute_of_Antelope]

I have learned a few things and one of them is that you can hunt where you want to or you can kill elk where they live.

Jay

This is great

 

[Foldem]

It's called Schuykill Mountain. What route do you take up? I talked to a guide late in my vacation. He said they call this heart attack hill locally. He doesn't hunt it. Too many open areas, too many escape routes, too many technical

Which guide was it?

I’ve been up there. Wouldn’t go with a flat lander client, that’s for sure but it’s not impossible. Ask @wooduckman about the chutes we climbed on his sheep hunt.

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

Which guide was it?

I’ve been up there. Wouldn’t go with a flat lander client, that’s for sure but it’s not impossible. Ask @wooduckman about the chutes we climbed on his sheep hunt.

I didn't catch his name. He was guiding a mule deer muzzle loader hunter from Minnesota back in Rustler Gulch.