I got caught with my pants down this year. I didn't scout at all because in seasons past, there's always been at least a few elk running round the 300 - 500 ft elevation in western Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties. Areas that just got absolutely hammered with rubs and always had fresh sign at this time of the season in the past show absolutely nothing where I normally hunt. Cow calling in the timber and a couple bugles from from ridges get no response. I"m seeing tons of beds (hundreds and hundreds) in the grass on the sides of roads along the cuts I worked my way up a ridge today, but they all appear to be at least a few weeks old, possibly more. No fresh sign anywhere. I'm stumped.... are they up higher again with this extended warm season?
Thanks for giving me a push in the right direction if you can help.
