How will the HOT/DRY conditions effect elk??

[returnofsid]

With the hot and dry conditions that our state has been experiencing this year, how will elk behavior change?  Will they stick to lower elevations, closer to river systems?  Will they stick to higher elevations, where the temperatures seem to be a few degrees cooler?  Will they be more nocturnal? 

How do you plan to alter your hunting tactics, due to the hot, dry conditions?

[Jonathan_S]

Depends on what area/herd you hunt 

They will be in areas where the grass is still palatable (if that exists) and where there is North faces (not the jackets) to bed down and stay relatively cool.  They might be moving out of areas they generally live in due to the lack of groundwater.

Change in tactics?  Move even slower due to crunchy plants and substrates.

I probably wont cold call at all when it's hot and dry 

[returnofsid]

Now the added threat of fire must be added to the equation...dang...

[Bullkllr]

Pretty much all of the exposed south or west facing slopes I have seen are complete toast...wouldn't expect much activity there

[buglebrush]

Heard they are closing the Forest completely by this weekend here in the NE        

[returnofsid]

Heard they are closing the Forest completely by this weekend here in the NE      

I wouldn't be surprised if state lands get closed.  I doubt they'll close National Forests. 

[buglebrush]

Heard they are closing the Forest completely by this weekend here in the NE      

I wouldn't be surprised if state lands get closed.  I doubt they'll close National Forests.

I hope you are right, but a logger who should know told me...   

[Slayerz]

The woods are going to level 4 this Thursday, which means no logging operations until we get some moisture.  This could lead to closing the forests, if they don't want the loggers out there they may not want anyone out there.

[h2ofowlr]

Expect closures in most areas would be my guess.  The elk will probably be feeding through the night and staying were they temperatures are fairly consistent.  May be holding in areas with bogs or natural springs.

[buglebrush]

I actually think the elk will be behaving pretty normal.  It isn't abnormally hot for August at all.  Been a normal July and august it is just that it was already so dry by the end of June.

[huntnnw]

Same as normal around here...its always hot and dry. The water sources are still there they may not have as much water in them but are still flowing

[cryder]

YA RIGHT  ! Keep reading , we will be lucky if they let us hunters leave home, 364 is going to be like the demilitarize zone, and I for one will not be there to be told what, where ,when, and how long by anyone, I for one have been very let down by the combination of mankind confuseing mother nature and fish and feathers takeing advantage of her problems,and don't come on here and say mankind isn't changing mother nature because you will look as stupid as China ( building coal factories as fast AS THEY CAN )

[Jonathan_S]

Same as normal around here...its always hot and dry. The water sources are still there they may not have as much water in them but are still flowing

  It really isn't that much different except a few plants are having a tougher time and are losing leaves etc.  Water has dried up more in a few drainages but there is still water...my experience.

YA RIGHT  ! Keep reading , we will be lucky if they let us hunters leave home, 364 is going to be like the demilitarize zone, and I for one will not be there to be told what, where ,when, and how long by anyone, I for one have been very let down by the combination of mankind confuseing mother nature and fish and feathers takeing advantage of her problems,and don't come on here and say mankind isn't changing mother nature because you will look as stupid as China ( building coal factories as fast AS THEY CAN )

364 will always be that way man. 

[cryder]

364, That's where I learned all that I believe I might know, but that is going on 35 years and Im learning to spend money and time elsewhere but that's were I find those darn tastey critters im after, I believe I need to learn more about the winter hunt up there, this early crap is really getting to be nothing but problems , I don't know if you have read my rants here but don't get me started !

[Jonathan_S]

Everybody has read your rants cryder 

Back to the OP.  Some areas really depend on snow melt for their water sources and THOSE areas are being drastically changed and are pushing big game lower/higher depending on the animal, terrain, and feed requirements.

This just takes some map time and a few days of boot leather to adjust for.