Hunting Pressured Elk. Any Tips?

[Liberty]

Well. I reckon I wasn't the only one who ended up not drawing anything this year. So I'll be sticking with an Over-The-Counter tag this year. My question is do any of you seasoned elk hunters have any tips for hunting pressured elk? I understand that the further you find yourself in the woods, the more elk you're bound to encounter. But as far as an elks habits and psyche, does it change? Do they methodically change their eating habits to the massive influx of hunters entering their feeding area? Do they change their bedding grounds? Are they less predictable in their routines? Lets hear it you guys!! I'm honestly attributing my horrible hunting success on me and a lack of planning preparedness. So I'm trying to learn as much as I can about elk and their country. What is your real-world advice on this subject?

 

[ElkManDan]

Get away from the other hunters, this doesn't always mean hiking 4 miles in, you can also look for areas where there isn't good areas to park and hike from, pull off the side of a highway and head up the mountain. I've never been able to pattern elk in a pressured area, I rarely see the same bull twice in a pressured area. Rely on good calling and go after any bull that is vocal.

 

[mntman]

If you are hunting while they are bugling, do not make your calls from a trail, doesn't matter how small of a hiking trail. Elk know people use it and their response percentage is considerably lower when you are standing on it. Move off the trail 100-200 yards and they will respond a lot more!

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"


Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?

 

[COHunter]

Hunt the private land next to the public land ;-)

 

[migolito]

At first light be where the Elk run when the shooting starts. That may be the public side of private land, a pass, a saddle between two mountains, or the deepest darkest nastiest vegetation in the area. IMO, cow calls on pushed Elk are what works best and thats just to stop them for a second or two.