How do you guys scout elk?

[zblank]

What is the best way to scout elk?

I have learned elk hunting through the school of hard knocks... by myself (no mentor) though magazine articles, lots of time in the woods and screwing up.

I typically hunt and scout by myself. I look at google maps and or topo maps and find areas accessable through old logging roads far away from main roads and people. Then I strap up the boots.  For the amount of time I spend I havent really found alot of great areas with old rubs or good wallows so I wonder if I'm doing something wrong.

I hunt the north east side and thought that if I can get closer to the Idaho border and fairly north away from people I might find better numbers. What do you guys think and are there any tidbits of knowledge? I really appreciate the help. Thanks.

[boneaddict]

There is a lot of stereotypical thoughts in regards to hunting. " Find places far away from main roads etc."  That's really all talk from folks that probably don't spend much time hunting elk.   ESPECIALLY where you are hunting. 

there is a lot of area where you are at that doesn't contain elk.  If you want to be more successful, you should probably come west where there are major herds.    The elk in the area you are at are generally hard for most to pin down.  The whole any bull thing attracts a lot of folks that think its a turkey shoot.

[zblank]

I wish I could get over there... Right now I can drop the wife and daughter off at her parents cabin in Newport (NE Washington) and head out from there without having my wife gut me when I get back. Its win win. They spend time with the grandparents and I get some time to chase elk.

[kentrek]

Find 2000 foot ridges with a really good size bench about half way down them...look for 20-30 yard visability..find one of these areas near a road system that gets hunted hard..elk will year after year go to these pressure points

Obviously your gona kill elk where you find em an dont need to work 2k foot ridges but looking for this type of country has really really worked well for me

Scout in late september

Good luk

[Jburke]

Get a trail camera or two. They can be extremely useful and help cut the learning curve. Find an area where you've seen them before or where you see the best sign or trails and put them out. If they don't produce move them til they do.

[RadSav]

I have learned elk hunting through the school of hard knocks... , lots of time in the woods and screwing up.

I typically hunt and scout by myself. I look at google maps and or topo maps and find areas accessable through old logging roads far away from main roads and people. Then I strap up the boots.  For the amount of time I spend I havent really found alot of great areas with old rubs or good wallows so I wonder if I'm doing something wrong.

The school of hard knocks produces one heck of a good education.  Only problem is it tends to be a long term school.  Though I don't think anyone ever really graduates from elk school!

While you can often improve your odds of finding a real trophy bull by "Going Deep" into the back country you rarely find "More" elk in doing so.  Especially if you are going "High" at the same time.

An old girlfriends father and I went elk hunting together.  I told him we needed to park at a gate where the clearings were at least three miles in.  "There won't be anyone but us in there", I said.  He stopped at the gate and said, "Boy, you go ahead and hunt hard.  I'll be down the road hunting smart.  I'll meet you back here after dark."  He killed his bull the first day.  It took me almost two weeks to get mine!

There is a lot of stereotypical thoughts in regards to hunting. " Find places far away from main roads etc."  That's really all talk from folks that probably don't spend much time hunting elk.   ESPECIALLY where you are hunting. 

there is a lot of area where you are at that doesn't contain elk.  If you want to be more successful, you should probably come west where there are major herds.    The elk in the area you are at are generally hard for most to pin down.  The whole any bull thing attracts a lot of folks that think its a turkey shoot.

Bone' is a wise man!


As far as scouting eastside I'd start by scouting wintering areas.  If the bottom of a drainage has no elk in the depths of winter it's doubtful it will have much at altitude during the spring through fall.  Once you find elk in good numbers during winter it's time to get out those maps!  Look at contours and areas of feed as you gain in altitude.  Try your best to find the six most likely spots those elk came from. 

Try to find those same elk in the early spring.  They will not have gone too far, should still be gathered in good numbers and you should be able to start getting a sense of where they are headed in relationship to those six spots you targeted on the map.  Now those six spots might only be four. 

Try finding those same elk again in late spring.  The bulls will be headed their own separate ways and the herd will begin to break up.  The cows will be looking for rich vegetation and plenty of level ground where they can drop and raise their calves.  You will likely be higher in elevation than you were in early spring.  When you find them mark it down on your map.  Try and get a further sense of where they will be going next in relationship to those four remaining spots.  Now those four spots might only be two!

August is going to be HOT!!  And so should your scouting.  Calves will be strong enough to allow the cows to head deeper and higher into the hills.  The bulls testicles will begin to drop, their antlers will begin to harden, and spring heads will begin turning into wallows and escapes from the heat.  Both cows and bulls will begin to adopt their fall feeding patterns and those two remaining spots will allow you to focus your efforts where the majority of the elk "should" be!

You are close to hunting season now.  This is where most scouting gets messed up!  Too many guys think this is the time to go busting brush and finding where every single bull on the hill lives.  But, "hunting smart" is a follow-up to "scouting smart".  No sense in getting all the elk educated to your presence and spooked.  Early fall/late summer scouting should be 90% observing and 10% boot kick investigating.  Now you are not just observing elk, but also wind patterns, temperature changes, vegetation changes,...  And when you do happen to spook an elk get out your map and ask the all important question, "Where did he go and why!"

I can't tell you how many time I hear guys say, "I scouted this area every day before the season started."  "I ran into elk everywhere before the season started."  "I was so close to nice bulls every trip out before the season."  "And then the season started and I can't find a bull to shoot."  Well, Duh!  You pushed them out of there and/or changed their habits.  How many big bulls do you know that are going to allow a guy to sneak up on them more than twice a year?  They didn't escape all those previous hunting seasons by being stupid.  Maybe lucky, but rarely stupid   I know when I target single individual big bulls I rarely get more than one chance a season and then they disappear.  I'd rather that chance be during the season than two weeks before!  Wouldn't you?

[huntnphool]

What is the best way to scout elk?

Scout?    Create a new account using a cute gal avatar, and with your first post let everyone know you are single and looking for good spots to hunt elk, then sit back and take notes.

[Jonathan_S]

Get a trail camera or two. They can be extremely useful and help cut the learning curve. Find an area where you've seen them before or where you see the best sign or trails and put them out. If they don't produce move them til they do.

  don't get sucked into keeping it in one area (waiting for it to produce just because a cow/calf walked by)

[boneaddict]

What is the best way to scout elk?

Scout?    Create a new account using a cute gal avatar, and with your first post let everyone know you are single and looking for good spots to hunt elk, then sit back and take notes.

[rasbo]

What is the best way to scout elk?

Scout?    Create a new account using a cute gal avatar, and with your first post let everyone know you are single and looking for good spots to hunt elk, then sit back and take notes.

HI my name is rasboette,Im single and looking for ideas on scouting for elk,I like archery season cause its soooo hotttt out,can you help me?

[PolarBear]

There is a lot of stereotypical thoughts in regards to hunting. " Find places far away from main roads etc."  That's really all talk from folks that probably don't spend much time hunting elk.   ESPECIALLY where you are hunting. 

there is a lot of area where you are at that doesn't contain elk.  If you want to be more successful, you should probably come west where there are major herds.    The elk in the area you are at are generally hard for most to pin down.  The whole any bull thing attracts a lot of folks that think its a turkey shoot.

A-MEN!

[rasbo]

time and boots on the ground,If its a busy area I look for escape routes that are hard to get to by most hunters and hang out if I find sign

[REHJWA]

What is the best way to scout elk?

Scout?    Create a new account using a cute gal avatar, and with your first post let everyone know you are single and looking for good spots to hunt elk, then sit back and take notes.

HI my name is rasboette,Im single and looking for ideas on scouting for elk,I like archery season cause its soooo hotttt out,can you help me?

LMAO

[yajsab]

All good advice and some funny ones too. 

I hiked very far into the woods, about 200-400 yards from the road.  I filled my tag every year.  But it depends on where and what you're hunting.

[D-Rock425]

Google earth, forums,  trail cams,  boots on the ground.  Spend time in the area is the most important part.  Remember this too you don't want to be where the elk are you want to be where they're going to be.

[deerslyr]

The NE is going to be a tough cookie to crack as a rookie. I suggest covering as much ground as you can and take notes of every piece of sign you see, ull start seeing some patterns in your notes. All of the ways I typically scout elk dont really apply to NE WA. It seems like guys who do well up there spend a lot of time in the woods and stumble on pockets of elk and will stick to those areas. Even just a handful of elk will make a ton of sign. Once you find some bands of elk stick with them. Elk can travel a good distance but they will be in the same "general area" If they disappear keep moving until you find them again.

[turkeyfeather]

I read the elk scouting threads guys post here on the forum. I then cross reference those with the "what truck do you drive" thread. After that all I have to do is drive the roads till I find that truck and blamo I am in the game. 

[Ccortez]

I read the elk scouting threads guys post here on the forum. I then cross reference those with the "what truck do you drive" thread. After that all I have to do is drive the roads till I find that truck and blamo I am in the game. 

That's why I don't post a pic of my truck and why I have multiple rigs lol

[washelkhunter]

I read the elk scouting threads guys post here on the forum. I then cross reference those with the "what truck do you drive" thread. After that all I have to do is drive the roads till I find that truck and blamo I am in the game. 

   Thats called highly effective computer scouting.

[turkeyfeather]

I read the elk scouting threads guys post here on the forum. I then cross reference those with the "what truck do you drive" thread. After that all I have to do is drive the roads till I find that truck and blamo I am in the game. 

   Thats called highly effective computer scouting.

I save a ton of money on gas that way. 

[jackelope]

I read the elk scouting threads guys post here on the forum. I then cross reference those with the "what truck do you drive" thread. After that all I have to do is drive the roads till I find that truck and blamo I am in the game. 

   Thats called highly effective computer scouting.

I save a ton of money on gas that way. 

You'll never see a picture of my truck on here.
LOL
I was wondering if anyone besides me thought of that.

[scottcrb]

Google earth, forums,  trail cams,  boots on the ground.  Spend time in the area is the most important part.  Remember this too you don't want to be where the elk are you want to be where they're going to be.

I do the same start with an area or unit. Look up on google earth maps etc. Then hit the dirt and loom for sign. Put out some trail.cams repeat.

[billythekidrock]

I read the elk scouting threads guys post here on the forum. I then cross reference those with the "what truck do you drive" thread. After that all I have to do is drive the roads till I find that truck and blamo I am in the game. 

   Thats called highly effective computer scouting.

I save a ton of money on gas that way. 

You'll never see a picture of my truck on here.
LOL

A few years back a member saw my truck parked at a ditched "trail" and waited for me to come out at dark. We talked a bit and then we both drove off. The next day I got a phone call from the member and I was asked if I knew there was an old cut off the grade I was parked on and that they might check it out because they saw it on Google Earth. WTH? Where do you think I was hunting? Now I park at forks or by multiple trails when possible.

[pd]

A few years back a member saw my truck parked at a ditched "trail" and waited for me to come out at dark. We talked a bit and then we both drove off. The next day I got a phone call from the member and I was asked if I knew there was an old cut off the grade I was parked on and that they might check it out because they saw it on Google Earth. WTH? Where do you think I was hunting? Now I park at forks or by multiple trails when possible.

Actually, that is really a great idea.  Don't park in front of a gate, or a trailhead, but park 200 yards down the road.  I learned something useful tonight.

[turkeyfeather]

A few years back a member saw my truck parked at a ditched "trail" and waited for me to come out at dark. We talked a bit and then we both drove off. The next day I got a phone call from the member and I was asked if I knew there was an old cut off the grade I was parked on and that they might check it out because they saw it on Google Earth. WTH? Where do you think I was hunting? Now I park at forks or by multiple trails when possible.

Actually, that is really a great idea.  Don't park in front of a gate, or a trailhead, but park 200 yards down the road.  I learned something useful tonight.

That is what I have always done when turkey hunting.

[pianoman9701]

I get me a 1 lb bag o' jerky, two cans of Cope, a half rack of PBR tall boys, put on my Carharts overalls, light a really long and fat stogie, cut the locks, and cruise the timberlands until I see yellow butts. My work here is done. You're welcome. 

[bobcat]

A few years back a member saw my truck parked at a ditched "trail" and waited for me to come out at dark. We talked a bit and then we both drove off. The next day I got a phone call from the member and I was asked if I knew there was an old cut off the grade I was parked on and that they might check it out because they saw it on Google Earth. WTH? Where do you think I was hunting? Now I park at forks or by multiple trails when possible.

Actually, that is really a great idea.  Don't park in front of a gate, or a trailhead, but park 200 yards down the road.  I learned something useful tonight.

That is what I have always done when turkey hunting.

I prefer to park so that it's obvious where I am hunting. Otherwise you'll have someone park at that gate or trailhead and walk in right behind you.

[Ccortez]

A few years back a member saw my truck parked at a ditched "trail" and waited for me to come out at dark. We talked a bit and then we both drove off. The next day I got a phone call from the member and I was asked if I knew there was an old cut off the grade I was parked on and that they might check it out because they saw it on Google Earth. WTH? Where do you think I was hunting? Now I park at forks or by multiple trails when possible.

Actually, that is really a great idea.  Don't park in front of a gate, or a trailhead, but park 200 yards down the road.  I learned something useful tonight.

That is what I have always done when turkey hunting.

I prefer to park so that it's obvious where I am hunting. Otherwise you'll have someone park at that gate or trailhead and walk in right behind you.

Most people still do anyways though

[lostbackpacker]

I usually start by looking at a topo map.  then put the boots to the ground. 

[turkeyfeather]

A few years back a member saw my truck parked at a ditched "trail" and waited for me to come out at dark. We talked a bit and then we both drove off. The next day I got a phone call from the member and I was asked if I knew there was an old cut off the grade I was parked on and that they might check it out because they saw it on Google Earth. WTH? Where do you think I was hunting? Now I park at forks or by multiple trails when possible.

Actually, that is really a great idea.  Don't park in front of a gate, or a trailhead, but park 200 yards down the road.  I learned something useful tonight.

That is what I have always done when turkey hunting.

I prefer to park so that it's obvious where I am hunting. Otherwise you'll have someone park at that gate or trailhead and walk in right behind you.

My experience has been that most hunters are lazy. Especially turkey hunters. They don't wanna scout they think they outta just be able to walk straight into the woods and shoot a bird. I have had far more people park near me and walk to where I am at than I do when I set my rig as a decoy. Then they have no idea where I am at.