what are the elk doing here?

[wooltie]

so I'm hunting this area on the west side the last five days of this season (east of I5).  I've scouted the area several times, cameras and all, and hunted the area last Saturday.

I see lots of traffic, poop, and rubs (old and new) along this lower section of a face.  Trails all over the place--up, down, and east and west.  And I've seen some cows and have a few bulls on cam--both during the day and at night.  About 800' of elevation between the bottom and top of where the sign begins and ends.  There are also several creeks that provide some cooler temps.  I have followed trails higher (to the top of the face) adding approx another 1000'-1500' of elevation, but all I've seen are trails and some poop along the way...some sections have no trails at all, meaning the trails seem to be more focused on geo features, like ridgelines and such.

Seems like the elk hang out more at the lower end judging by the amount of sign down there, but I haven't encountered any herds...just seen a few cows here and there.  Didn't here any bugles on Saturday, though I heard a few in August.

Trying to figure out how to hunt this place over the next 5 days...

I can stick it out low and hope to hear some bugles or bump into a few elk...

I can explore higher, drive the roads listening for bugles if they're there...

Mostly I'm just trying to figure out how the elk are using the area and what they're doing. If they randomly move around and pass through this lower area, then onto other areas for a few days, then return, etc..or is there some pattern to their movement.

I'm still wayyy new at this, but I've devote time and want to make the best of it, so any insight would be appreciated.

[westsidehntr]

In my experience elk hunting, whatever you think the elk are going to do or go, do the opposite. If you think they should have went up, they probably went down and such. That is just my  but I suck at elk hunting

[elkboy]

I'm not the greatest expert, but hunting up higher (away from roads), on cooler north-facing slopes, and near water sources might get you into elk.  Wallows are nice features to hang around- if the water is muddy (i.e., stirred up, with lots of suspended particles, as opposed to clear), then bulls have been in there.  I think the key is to keep moving- just waiting for elk to show up will cost you a lot of time.  Ghosting along ridges, into the wind, and glassing downhill on either side is never a bad way to go. Anybody else? 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Good luck! That's elk hunting!

[wooltie]

Good luck! That's elk hunting!

thanks, certainly seems to be the case.

If you don't hear elk or they're unresponsive, or you cannot see any glassing hillsides and such, then you're left with running marathons through the woods hoping to bump into some.

[Old Man Yager]

Ask Trophy, he usually has the info you need!

[getreal711]

My daughter and I ran into the same situation in SW near the Columbia.  Lots of sign but no noise. Even our cow calls got no response.  I put at least 20+ miles on my boots over the weekend and only managed to see a fox. Gonna go back out next weekend and see if things changed any.

[Firedogg]

 If you aren't finding them in any one spot or another they probably have cycled  to another area. Whether they come back through your spot in the five days you have is all guess work and luck. If you aren't seeing them time to get your boots moving and cover as much area as possible till you hit the animals. Trails, rubs, and scat only tell you elk "were" there.

[wooltie]

Also, I've only seen cows in small groups of 2-4 both on cam and in person.  Not sure what that means.