I just realized I don't know how to elk hunt

G

gadawgs

Guest
I moved to NW Colorado in April and have only hunted elk one time before in NM. I have been hunting on an OTC archery tag the last couple of days here but have no look in even finding elk. I have hunted from 10500ft down to 8000ft. I don't feel confident enough to do a solo backcountry hunt so for the time being I am limited to day hunts. If elk are bugling (which I haven't heard any yet) I feel confident I know what to do but what do I do when they aren't talking. I know you should do a lot of glassing but what if you are hunting places that are not open enough to glass? I also assume the further from the road the better and I do think that is some of my problem. I have been about a 1-1.5 miles of the road but assume I should be further. It is hard to get the motivation to walk way out there when I have no idea what to do once I get their. I feel confident in my hunting skills having killed P&Y whitetails in Georgia-which isn't easy to do-but have been humbled by this new style of hunting. Any help would go a long way.
Thanks

Go Dawgs!
 
get google earth...learn how to use it as in the 3d capabilities....and then review yoru area...water is imperative, but they can travel for it...elk hunting is MUCH more difficult than Deer...Deer generally stay within 1 sq. mile...elk stay generally within the western US :)

feel free to PM and would be happy to help with some tidbits, but too much stuff to learn, and too much to type...
 
I would say if you are in an area too dense to glass, I would hit google earth as mentioned and study topo maps of the area. Look for areas that are off the beaten path/trailhead. Often times the elk will hole up in areas that are close by because most hunters hike/pack in past them. Water is huge, dense thick bedding areas and grasses. Find those 3 out of the way of major trailheads and you should find elk. If not, keep moving. Elk are where you find them unfortunately. Do not give up. Some say it takes 3-5 years to truly learn an area. Every day you hike and hunt, you will be learning. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Chad
 
elk need gallons of water a day so water is a good place to start.

elk leave sign everywhere look for dropings, tore up trees, foot prints and wallows.

Elk are more vocal at night so try a bugle or two at 2 to 3 in the morning.

if you havent found any of the signs above you are not in elk country.
 
Don't be afraid to stay semi-close to the road. As said, the elk are where they are. Unless you have horses, mules or stupid friends/relatives, a long pack-out can ruin an otherwise great experience. (Soup, you were smart to miss out on that one.)

Houndog
 
LAST EDITED ON Sep-08-08 AT 06:09PM (MST)[p]Thanks guys for the advice. I am going again in the morning so I will see how it goes. I took September off so I will be able to hunt alot! I have been hunting 14, 15, and 16 as they are right by the house. I am concerned with the pressure once muzzleloader season starts. I feel pressure to make something happen soon or else my search will be even tougher as the elk will be that much more pressured.

Hound-I have definently thought about what in the heck am I going to do if I kill one about 4 miles from the truck! Luckily I think I have some friends who should help.

So what am I looking for on Google Earth when it comes to thick areas?

Thanks again.


How do I check PMs?
 
>LAST EDITED ON Sep-08-08
>AT 06:09?PM (MST)


>So what am I looking for
>on Google Earth when it
>comes to thick areas?
>
>Thanks again.
>
>
>How do I check PMs?


well, not all area is thick, and not all area is where they prefer to travel...but makrign what you see while in there will tell you what time of year (if ever they are in there...see lots of tree rubs, fall, see sheds winter to early spring...See whited out poop and none other, look for new place :p

look for corridors, look for water...look for benches that you might not see, if you have an oped area, or a watering area, adn then some natural benchesabove them you might find some beds...or transitional areas...make notes on what you are finding on certain slopes..the season will dictate where they are getting warmth from or avoiding it...
 
LAST EDITED ON Sep-09-08 AT 06:55PM (MST)[p]Google earth and google maps have a unique feature that most don't realize. If you look at the aerial photos (don't zoom too much) you can tell the difference between dark timber and aspen and or brushy cover. The lighter green is where the better forage is for the elk. If it is all dark timber then it is most likely that it will not support as many elk. I found this to be true while hunting in Utah. I has a special map that enhanced the different types of vegetation. I knew of a place where the elk were thick and the vegetation was perfect and it proved true to what the map was showing. I have done the same for some places here in Colorado using the google maps.

I don't know how to check a pm either. I thought they would just pop up when you logged in.
 

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