Hunting Elk Bedding Areas During the Rut

[WapitiTalk1]

I've had some interesting discussions with friends on this topic over the years. Should you hunt them or not? At some point, before daylight, very early in the morning, even into mid morning, as the weather/hunting pressure/moon cycle dictates, the herd "normally" heads to a bedding area 2/3 to 3/4 the way up the sidehill. As with many elk hunting options/strategies, it depends.. It depends on what? It depends on the area you're hunting and many other factors. Perhaps it is the only drainage you're hunting that year. It depends on how thick the area is impacting effective ingress/regress. It depends on the patterns of the particular herd whom are bedding in said area.. A bit cryptic I know, sorry... just trying to spark some elky chat ..

The question is, do you consciously hunt known bedding areas and what are your tactics? Remember, we're talking peak rut time when the wapiti are very vocal.

[trophyhunt]

Absolutely, took my cousin into a bedding area I know of during his muzzy rut hunt. It was complete madness, satellite bulls everywhere, we had them coming from every angle.  It didn't even matter which way the wind was blowing, had them on all sides of us, it was the first time he passed up a legal bull elk and broadside at 30 yards.  Of course you don't want to blow them out, so we snuck in and kept quiet until in a good position.  When we started cow calling, all hell broke loose.  Killed a bull shortly after that.

[Caveman123]

If the wind is good And I know where the elk are, I’m going in. If the wind is questionable I’ll hang back. Had some of the most fun elk encounters at 1 in the afternoon

[pashok23]

I would.

[Alchase]

I've had some interesting discussions with friends on this topic over the years. Should you hunt them or not? At some point, before daylight, very early in the morning, even into mid morning, as the weather/hunting pressure/moon cycle dictates, the herd "normally" heads to a bedding area 2/3 to 3/4 the way up the sidehill. As with many elk hunting options/strategies, it depends.. It depends on what? It depends on the area you're hunting and many other factors. Perhaps it is the only drainage you're hunting that year. It depends on how thick the area is impacting effective ingress/regress. It depends on the patterns of the particular herd whom are bedding in said area.. A bit cryptic I know, sorry... just trying to spark some elky chat ..

The question is, do you consciously hunt known bedding areas and what are your tactics? Remember, we're talking peak rut time when the wapiti are very vocal.

I always get a kick out of hunting shoes that show a Bruiser Bull, and the hunters say

"We no where he is, lets back-out and come back tomorrow"   

I see a shooter Bull, I am going for him no matter if he is bedded or not.
I don't know about anyone else, but in the terrain we hunt in Washington,  especially on the west side. I think this would never work.

[bkaech]

In general, I go after elk wherever they are at. The great thing about western WA is when I blow the elk out of an area, 75% of the time they don't go too far. I just track them and relocate. This is not true where I hunt in Idaho, there the situation would have to be really in my favor to risk blowing up the herd cause they will go miles. So, yes, I hunt in bedding areas all the time.

[JakeLand]

I hunt elk like blacktails go slug slow with the wind in my favor, creep and glass