Elk Tactics 101 - Scenario #2

[Karl Blanchard]

Lot of variables to consider but my general rule of thumb is one, don't try and race the thermals.  You get pegged down for some reason and the temp heats up, then up goes your scent and off goes your elk.

Second is keep elevation whenever possible.  Your ability to reposition is better, your ability to back out is better, your surveillance of an area is better, and shot opportunities are usually better when above your animal.  They call it death from above for a reason.   I'd plan a route to go up and around them.  Good odds they are going to bed up in the firs at the head of the basin.  That is where I would make my play.

If the cows are being lazy I may also try and put on a stalk, though stalks on feeding animals doesn't usually work well.  If I was hunting with Coach, I would like our odds.  We double team elk pretty well

[jstone]

I would just fallow the cows close enough that they won't see me cause they are probably feeding into the wind. And when I have the opportunity I would get one. That is almost what happened to me last year but saw a true spike as I was fallowing the cows and Hurd bull. So I took the spike. 

[_TONY_]

I'd be jumping in the creek and booking it up stream...hopefully the creak and the thermals cover my speedy/noise approach

It's a win win getting in front of those cows

This.

[irish52084]

I'm not much of an elk hunter, but in this situation, assuming the cows are feeding into the wind and towards the bull I'm going to try and shadow them right up to the edge of that creek. The topography looks really steep in the photo for going down into the creek and then walking down towards the animals. If I keep tabs on the cows and keep the wind in my favor I feel like I have a chance to fill that tag with a cow. If I can keep them unaware of me and maybe I can follow them to a bedding area where I can maybe put a stalk on a bull.
But I usually stalk whitetails and my elk hunting experience is minimal.
Does my thinking hold any water?

[Tbob]

Id follow Kentreks red trail. The ravine to the creek doesn't look to terribly steep. Id try and catch those cows crossing the creek and shoot one. If i happen to show up a little late and the cows already went by, Id slowly following them and start calling with either a lost cow call or maybe even an estrus call..