Author Topic: Today's scouting trip (Read 4530 times)

janttihunter · « **on:** May 18, 2013, 08:57:37 PM »

Went scouting today, been scouting a spot for a few months found allot of sign but hadn't seen any elk, and couldn't get them on my trail cam. Well that was untill today! I hiked in 5 miles to check out a drainage I found on google maps and came across a little reprod bowl on my way to the drainage. I noticed the color of elk down and the reprod and glassed. The elk was huge and laying on it's side, I though it might be dead lol but got down wind anyway, worked my way down into the cut slowly and noticed another elk. Now I'm like 80 yards and can see that there's actually 4 elk all bulls in velvet all with at least branch antlers. One was HUGE. I sat and watched them bedded for about an hour, they got up and ate some, they were sparing a little which I thought was weird cause they had velvet. They didn't actual touch just shadow boxed lol. I snuck out unnoticed after about 2 hours. This is my second year elk hunting and my biggest confidence booster yet! I'll post some pics tomorrow.

johnnyaustin44 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 18, 2013, 10:18:20 PM »

Awesome. Always a good feeling scouting and actually turning up animals. Hopefully they stick around.

janttihunter · « **Reply #2 on:** May 18, 2013, 10:22:36 PM »

Ya I'm a little worried about them leaving..but I think the elk stay there all year, there's elk rubs all around. So I think they stay. If they were going to migrate up I think they should have left. But I'm just learning so not really sure.

johnnyaustin44 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2013, 10:31:49 PM »

Yeah hard to say. Just got to keep an eye on them. If its a ways in you should be ok. Hopefully they don't get run off and will just chill in their safe haven until the rut. What season are you hunting?

janttihunter · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2013, 10:33:57 PM »

It's about 5 miles in and it's in a gmu that's not to busy. I'm hunting archery.

elk247 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2013, 10:42:18 PM »

I think your onto something there. The rubs should be a good indicator that the bulls will be there in september. The last bull i shot was a 5X5 around sept. 10 and still had about 30% velvet. The area holds elk, don't worry. Learn their escape routes and thermals so you know what direction to approach from. One of my honey holes the thermals switch depending on the time of day.

asl20bball · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2013, 08:58:59 AM »

Just be careful not to blow them out of there if you scout it alot....sounds like a good find but a ways in for an elk to be down on the ground in the heat of Sept if your by yourself. Hope you have help. Good luck!

janttihunter · « **Reply #7 on:** May 19, 2013, 09:46:01 AM »

Ya I thought of that.. I hunt alone..Im looking at building a cart.

janttihunter · « **Reply #8 on:** May 19, 2013, 10:04:12 AM »

Sorry the pics are so bad. I took them with my phone from 80 yards.. There were 4 bulls total all had new antler growth that had already split into 2 points, one had 3 already.

wilsongideon · « **Reply #9 on:** May 19, 2013, 10:06:31 AM »

awesome

elk247 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 19, 2013, 02:24:37 PM »

That clearing looks great. Great combo of shooting lanes and cover for your stalk. I anticipate seeing your bull down pictures in september.

MLBowhunting · « **Reply #11 on:** May 19, 2013, 02:50:27 PM »

That's great.

janttihunter · « **Reply #12 on:** May 19, 2013, 03:01:11 PM »

Thanks! Its on a north facing slope that has like a few year old reprod on the sides, 10 year old above it that goes up to about 4000 feet which is the highest peak in the area and a river on the backside so it masks sound a little too.

elk247 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2013, 03:08:30 PM »

That backside would be worth getting to know also. The river an a south facing slope is a gaurenteed elk hangout. If your area is near where i hunt, i would be happy to help pack that bad boy out. I will shoot you a pm.

zackmioli · « **Reply #14 on:** May 19, 2013, 05:45:16 PM »

pm sent as well!

janttihunter · « **Reply #15 on:** June 02, 2013, 11:02:21 AM »

Went out again yesterday, scouted about 4 miles from where I saw the bulls a few weeks ago. I didn't want to pushthem out of there. This other drainage looks promising also. Fresh tracks and scat everywhere, located some great funnels, set up a cam.

When do you think it's safe to assume these are local elk and will be here through the summer? There really low I would think they might migrate up higher but I guess with the food, water and lack of pressure why would they? Bugs were out, and still a little snow on the sorounding peaks. Side note highest peak within 20 miles is prob 4500.

coachcw · « **Reply #16 on:** June 02, 2013, 03:44:47 PM »

typically if you find elk in july they will be there in sept .

janttihunter · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2013, 09:19:59 PM »

Ok god to know. I will check the cam in a few weeks and prob scout the spot that I saw elk again sometime in July.

bod · « **Reply #18 on:** June 03, 2013, 03:23:23 AM »

Which GMU is it? LOL

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Author Topic: Today's scouting trip (Read 4530 times)

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