Elk and wind

[Nice Racks]

In second week of early archery elk this past season, a nasty wind storm came in and the elk seemed to disappear. I asked a friend what the elk do in windy conditions; and he said not much. I believed him, because as much as the bulls were talking the first week, the second week we didn't hear or see a thing. I checked my cameras after the season and the elk were everywhere!  I guess the swirling wind just kept giving us away.  What's your opinion on this?

[dreamunelk]

In a nasty wind they will seek out the lees.  Beyond that it is the disturbance caused by hunters.  It will have a far greater affect.

[PolarBear]

I have done some of my best elk hunting in high winds.  It can play hell on an arrow but it makes elk easier to find.  From my experience, they tend to be more in the open avoiding big timber and hang out in the open or reprod on the lee (as mentioned above) side of hills and knobs.

[Eli346]

 

[boneaddict]

Pretty much what has been said.  Wind will make it harder for your to hear and will make them more on edge as they have to rely more on sight than sound and smell.   

[coachcw]

elk and deer both will hang in the lee or trailing edge of the wind often right in the crease of the draws and hold tight. that was the one guarantee while out this season we found from sept til dec the wind is a huge factor  south faces in the morning and out of the wind but more so the wind , if the wind was out of the south they would be slipped onto the northsides.

[Jonathan_S]

Deer, elk, anything.  If I can have a strong breeze or wind in my face, I'll be in the woods.  Rain is even better.

[xXLojackXx]

Wind is a major benefit when stalking elk. They cant hear as well and you can afford to snap a twig without being busted 100 yards away. It shortens your bow range a bit, but stay down wind and you'll be amazed at how close you  can get when you take away two of their senses, ears and noses.

It's tough to say where they'll be, but I seem to catch elk up and moving in tall timber during the windy days. Then again that's where I always find the elk because that's where I hunt