Scouting the Elk woods?

[jhg]

Tell us about your Elk scouting

I began my own scouting last weekend here in Colorado.
No snow up to about 7500 feet where I hunt and nice new grasses pushing up in the open areas. I saw about 12 cows down at about 6500 feet. This particular area has a river and some Ponderosa strands, black timber on the North slopes and is really steep . It kicked my butt as the first stroll of the spring.

The old wallows are there and last falls activiites by the antlered bunch regarding trees- plenty of information to make some plans for the coming fall.

I found a pot growing operation in one hell hole. But it was a couple yrs old and showed signs that the growers got sick of climbing in and out.They never got the plants out of the flats they had them started in. I can attest to the spots difficulty to achieve. I would hate to lug an elk out of there for sure.

This is the first area of several that I plan to scout. In all I have a few thousand acres to cover. I think it will take me most of the summer (boy life is tough but someone has to get out in the timber) and some over-nights.
Its never too soon to get out into the timber. Even if its below where you will hunt it helps tune your body and your kit and do some stumping. So what if the roads are wet- get out and walk. I have found some sweet spots in places most just drive by.

Will update after walking the next area. Tell us about yours-leaving out the details that will let us find them, of course! ;0)

Joshua

[crotch horn]

You are lucky to live where there are elk. None here in NY, but I am hoping to pull a license in Pa soon. My buddy also lives in Wy and talked to him yesterday. He gave me the update on what he is seeing. Hoping to hunt elk with him in 2011. Time will tell. Good luck and enjoy those "hills"  

[bowfiend]

As of yet I've been too busy to get in the woods, but I've put in some good map work and Google Earth time. I'm trying to flesch out a new spot for this year, and that's a tough thing to do.

The weather's been horrible here for the last couple weeks (we had fresh snow on the ground yesterday!). It won't be too long before the boots start pounding the trail...

[bozara]

We're getting close to having more wolves than elk in our part of Montana.  Even the outfitters are calling for the fish and game to close their own areas to elk hunting.  West Fork of the Bitterroot has less than 4 bulls per 100 cows and fewer than 11 calves per 100 cows.  Sustainable elk herds require no less than 25/100 calves.

When you consider that there is no season on coyotes, people shoot/trap/poison them year 'round and they are still thriving, the wolves are here to stay.  We had a short season, limited harvest and the wolves have a much broader range of prey.

[bowfiend]

That's exactly why I'm looking for a new spot, Mark! Cat populations are on the rise, too. I hope we can figure something out becasue taking 75 animals per year out of a population of 1400 is not going to cut it.

I did get on a couple bulls up the West Fork last year opener, but it was a LOT of work finding them. It's a sad day when you start thinking about trading in your elk hunting time for speedgoat hunting time, but I have to put something in the freezer.

[Rik]

Still snowing in the mountains here in Idaho. Won't be able to get into the good elk country until the snow melts in the lower meadows, which will be in June. Pretty much the same time every year.

[Wannabe1]

I plan to make a little trip to eastern Oregon come next month for some scouting. Our season starts the last weekend of August so, gonna have to get busy soon.   :rolleyes:

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

In a couple weeks I am going to be meeting up with John Rand (Outwest of Trad Gang) at the Western States Tranditional Rendezvous and hopefully arranging to go scouting around Forks, Washington a fwe weeks later.

[hightop_hunter]

unfortunately we In alberta have been hit with a third snow fall and the mountains are a mess of snow and mud. good for trailing. unfortunately im not gona brave the snow storm to start scouting until the weather clams down and heats up

[Tree Killer]

I've hunted the same areas for the last 25 years, so it's really just a matter of snooping around during the late summer to confirm their whereabouts.

I maintain trailcams year round for all kinds of wildlife, occasionally elk will show up on my trailcams.  

[Over&Under]

I opened this hoping for pics...   :(

Oh well, good for you getting out.  I plan on alot of that myself this summer, have located a few places on maps over the winter that I want to go explore for possible elk liars.

You are right, many drive right by good areas, and getting out early in the season keeps ya tuned up!

   

[Matty]

My new spot is about 4+ hrs away so I'm going to have to wait for a little more melting to happen. I know for sure theres fresh snow there.  end of may,then I'll have June July and aug.

[jason1040]

Well I woke up this morning and had a light dusting of snow in my yard so I know the mountains must have gotten hammered. It won't be for a few more weeks until we could even get back to where we hunt. So I have just continued to read Bugle magazines and dream.

[stickhorse]

Oveer & Under  Picks just for you. not where we hunt, too much snow yet. these girls been hanging around the back pasture at the ranch.    

[jhg]

Saturday I was able to make another scouting trip. I hiked about 16 miles.

For those of you coming out here to hunt do some of your training hiking w/pack and with boots.

The day started off in the low 70's and clear skys. Lots of sweat dripping as I climbed elevation. The whole first half of the day was south slopes and parks. About noon I crossed a big saddle at about 9750 feet (so about a 4000 gain over where I  live) and instantly upon making the North side, the temp dropped 10* and I was into snow drifts still 2-4 foot deep. On went the vest! This is why you don't wear cotton. I was able to stay warm and my clothes still dryed themselves even under an over-layer. And they were soaked with sweat, literally.
Now in thick douglas fir and mossy primordal forest (thats what I  like about Colorado) one second hot and dry, take two steps its a totally different temp/moisture zone.
I found a lot of rubs. year opon year, and some wallows. Then the hail came, about 30 minutes worth, then rain. The temp went down to the low to mid 40's. Again, if I had worn cotten I would have been very uncomfortable. Big change over the first half of the day.
But thats the mountains and it can happen any time of the year!

Saw two elk. Fat. They saw me and were gone. A long day. A good day.
Have pics but my image hosting won't work w/my computer anymore. Sorry.

Joshua

[jhg]

Today I finally got back into the woods. It was awesome-steady light rain and about 42*. We don't get a lot of rain like this in June and I wanted to take advantage of it. Usually it is very dry. A great day to see animals...

The big event of the day was a bear encounter- 15 feet head to head. I don't know who was more shocked, me or the bear. He had his head down and was walking up the trail I had my head down and was walking down and I never saw 250+/-lbs spin and book it out-a-there so fast. Pretty cool animals. Brown phase.
Didn't see a lot of elk sign from last fall but enough to know some more areas to further explore and a possible bivy spot.
Hot chocolate at lunch over the SVEA was another big highlight of the day.  

Joshua, thinking of all those who stayed inside and missed out on a great weekend on the trail.