Unit 27 Elk

I have enjoyed hunting the unit, though it is brutal with sparse game populations. I'm not looking for any specific spots, just learning more about the unit. I find in the early season that many elk are hanging in high basins, which often have lakes. Are they as common in timbered ridges and areas without the granite/lakes? In September and early October, is it reasonable to expect them to be in the 7000-8000 foot range rather than mid-elevation? There are some meadow areas mid-elevation that I know of. Would you expect them to be in there? In areas of the Frank where it has burned hot it sometimes seems devoid of life. Are there burned areas that are not productive (I have always heard great things about them)?

I have found some spots that have a lot of deer, but have seen very few deer when elk hunting. It seems like it would be necessary to hunt the sage brush specifically targeting deer to be very successful.

Any other unique aspects of the elk hunting game in the Frank? Obviously, elk hunting is elk hunting, but the Frank seems to always be unique.

Thanks for the help. PM's welcome.

I have hunted 27 only once and it was beautiful. We went in from Challis to the end of the road at "Sleeping Deer" lookout about a 50 mile drive. It's the only way in to the wilderness from the south east. We passed "Liberty Lakes" that were surrounded by a horrible burn, but that was 8 years ago so now it should be grown back. Lots of open country and hidden meadows. Plan on serious up and down hunting and be prepared for snow at any time. We had to bail out one morning after over a foot of snow the night before.
PB

If no one has hunted the area you'll be going, the elk will just stand there and watch you. My advice, glass. The more you glass, the less you hike. It doesn't seem very big, but it is! As far as the snow, bring chains for all four tires. Then you just have to worry about the road washing away or trees and slides. Have fun.

I agree with post above, spend your time glassing. The elk are really spread out, I've killed bulls from 3000' up to 8000' in September in the Frank, so the bottom line is look everywhere. I don't know how many times I've wasted a day hunting in the timber only to find the elk out on open slopes.

Thanks for the replies. Interesting that you two have had such success glassing. During the rut, I've been pretty focused on calling and have been more successful calling them in. I guess I will broaden things a bit. What's your ratio between glassing and calling kills or opportunities?

On another note, I see about one buck per couple of days in more elk-type areas in the Frank. I've been amazed at how the deer populations are so spread. Occasionally, I'll find an area with quite a few. Maybe it's just that there's less sagebrush areas in some parts. It's a little weird.