unsuccessful scouting

[mendozer]

My buddy and I went scouting this past weekend in the Willapa GMU and later in the Olympic GMU for elk/deer. I chose Willapa since the harvest success rate is good for elk, about 15%. However, my OnXMap wasn't showing up properly at home so I couldn't look at land ownership. It did work on the GPS itself when we got there, and it revealed very little state land and lots of private timber.
We camped on state land and hiked north to what looked like clear cuts on Google Earth. However, all that was on timber land, so that area was a botched attempt.

I didn't see or hear a single elk. I was using my new calls and up there it was resonating very well into the surrounding valleys. I did see two does, and my calls scared them up off there hiding spots.

My question is since it's hot, where are they gonna be? Anyone have good information on elevation trends by temperature or season?

I know that I could buy access to a timber farm, but I refuse to based on principle. I shouldn't have to pay to access wild forest for hunting.

[trophyhunt]

Its tough scouting right now with the heat, trail cameras are the best way to see what is in the area.  They scout 24/7, just put some salt down and secure it to the tree so no maggots come along and steal it.  I got around 517 pics on my camera after only 3 weeks of sitting. Spend the extra and get a bear box for it!

[mendozer]

thought about that. Didn't want to shell out the dough since many get stolen. Plus I don't have the time to be driving out there every weekend to check the cards and the wireless ones are WAAY too much to be spending on.

[trophyhunt]

Everyone seems to like the bushnells, I've got two that don't work so I think I'm done with them.  But they are popular and fairly cheap, say around 60.00.  Just make sure a get a bear box, bushnells box is not made very well from the reviews I've read.  If you do put one up you don't need to check it every week, 3 weeks or longer if you want. Just put some type of bait down, salt block they love right now.

[MLBowhunting]

Using elk calls.  Great way to educate the animals you want to hunt.   

[LeviD1]

I agree. I wouldnt be call I right now at all. But thats just me.

[mendozer]

well shoot i don't know. I'm still in the noob phase. I figured if I did a cow call now another cow might call back. you know..."hello anyone out there?"...."yeah I'm over here"

[vandeman17]

Knowing that you are a newbie hunter, I would also say that calling right now is a waste of time and possibly detrimental to your efforts. When I am scouting new areas, I am less concerned about seeing critters as I am about finding places that look good and have area to hunt. Deer and elk are in their mid summer routines right now and their habits and locations will be different coming hunting season. Like trophy said, trail cameras are good not only for seeing some of the animals in the area, but also helping you think more like a deer or an elk in that you are forced to try and find areas that the animals frequent. True education of a hunting area comes during hunting season. 

[Labredog]

Elk are where you find them. Boots on the ground, away from trails and roads will tell you a lot. You don't have to see elk to know they are using an area, fresh tracks, droppings, observe what's being browsed. Yes we all know elk like north facing shady timber, and deep cool drainages, except the herd I once found bedded down in the middle of a clear cut on a hot sunny 75 degree day during Archery season.like others have mentioned, cameras are a great tool if they aren't stolen or mauled.

[Okanagan]

Sounds like a very successful scouting trip to me!     You learned roads, routes, that there are no clearcuts where Google says there are, a place to camp, quite a bit about public and private boundaries-- in other words you know a lot more about that area than you did.  Some scouting trips I consider successful have simply ruled out an area as a place I would never go back to for hunting. 

You're doing well.  Ditto on not calling till you are ready to shoot.  Animals are dumb but most of them learn to avoid calls or be super cautious after they get fooled a few times, and some of them learn after one session.

[Little Fish]

I would not necessarily rule out buying a permit to access timber company land. Lots of land on the West side is controlled by timber companies and they have lots of clears cuts and clear cuts = animals.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Sounds like a very successful scouting trip to me!     You learned roads, routes, that there are no clearcuts where Google says there are, a place to camp, quite a bit about public and private boundaries-- in other words you know a lot more about that area than you did.  Some scouting trips I consider successful have simply ruled out an area as a place I would never go back to for hunting. 

You're doing well.  Ditto on not calling till you are ready to shoot.  Animals are dumb but most of them learn to avoid calls or be super cautious after they get fooled a few times, and some of them learn after one session.

[steelnducks]

Yeah it's nice to see elk when scouting but the best place I ever found I didn't see one elk scouting the area. I just found a bunch of rubs and saw some other promising sign. When September came the Bulls were screaming and my scouting payed off.

[fishngamereaper]

Most animals move at night this time of year. If your hot in a t shirt think of how an elk feels with heavy hide and hair.  Like others said learn roads and areas and don't focus on seeing animals.

Most trail cams are cheaper than a tank of gas. Buy a couple, set them and let them soak for a month or so. Its actually a cheaper way to scout than driving around every weekend looking for animals.

[4fletch]

I don't use cameras but I have read where one guy uses tree steps high enough so its hard to reach. Cows will talk back to you anytime of the year. If you find elk tracks you have found elk. Also find elk rubs they will usually come back to the same place or close too