Today's scouting trip

[janttihunter]

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]

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

[janttihunter]

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]

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]

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

[elk247]

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]

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]

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

[janttihunter]

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]

awesome 

[elk247]

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

[MLBowhunting]

That's great. 

[janttihunter]

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]

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]

  pm sent as well!