I know the big thing everyone talks about when it comes to hunting elk in the late season is snow. Having it push the elk down in elevation. A lot of folks seem to focus on the migration and hunting snow. Well I have not found much information out there about hunting low elevation, late season elk with no snow. For example, the main area I hunt is between 500 and 1000 ft. The closest area that goes above 1500 feet is an hour drive on paved roads, double or tripple that on log roads. Is there any trends that anyone notices about lower elevation elk in late season? I have been unfortunate as to not have much time to spend in the field in the later seasons to try observing any trends or habbits. Grasses and other feed tend to stay uncoverd from snow all winter and there is plenty that stays green as well. Feed is very abundant. Cold weather will hit but snow comes for only a week or so at a time once or twice a year and it never seems to burry anything much. Do their habits tend to be similar to early fall with exception of the rut? There are plenty of hillsides, sadles and such they just dont go more than 1000 ft or so. What hillsides if any do they tend to like at different times of day? North facing, south facing, west or east? Do they tend to linger in the open areas later in the day in cold weather even if there is no trace of snow? Anyone have anything they have observed about elk in these situations? What about with abnormally moderate, wet, or warm late seasons?
