Backcountry Camping & Fires... How Close is too Close?

[MuleDeerCrazy]

Planning a backcountry elk hunt and planning on camping up in the drainage we're hunting.  There's a pretty good ridge between camp and where the elk hang out.  We plan on not being too noisy, but what about smoke from a fire... anybody have experience with that around elk and how disturbing or not that is?

Thanks.

[boneaddict]

I can think of three times I had bulls bugling within 10 feet of my tent, while I was in the sack at hunting camp.  Make that 4 I guess.  I called in a 350 non typical the day before season while I was sitting at the campfire in NM.   I can think of another when I woke up and Idabooner had one standing over him in the moonlight sniffing him.    That being said, I wouldn't camp where you want to see them at daylight.   

[coachcw]

I think mit depends on the elk and where your hunting , Washington elk are pretty used to people and tollerate more activity . remote wilderness elk bug out pretty quick . once in colorado I had elk wind me and blow out from over a mile away . If your hunting here in wa and keep a ridge between you and your area you should be ok , Remember though you might have com pany come the season and theres guys that will set up a camp right in the hot spot so try to figure where those elk will go if preasured . You may even wanna bump them a bit in july to see where they go then let it settle back down for a month .

[high country]

Camping in the same drainage is risky at best. There is no safe place to set camp. You will fight morning and evening thermals every single day.....aside from wind. I suggest a vantage point camp where you can see the elk and make a plan based on all weather and pressure on that day.

[ICEMAN]

Why risk it? Camp out of site and earshot just over an adjacent ridge....

[Lcl 66 Tinner]

Id have to see exactly where you want to camp and where the elk like to hang out to give you my opinion . On a serious note I like the vantage point campas mention by high country

[bear hunter]

Id have to see exactly where you want to camp and where the elk like to hang out to give you my opinion . On a serious note I like the vantage point campas mention by high country

  Nice one Grant but I don't think he is going to show you his spot

[washelkhunter]

Deer and elk are very familiar with wood smoke and arent bothered by it all.

[JLS]

Planning a backcountry elk hunt and planning on camping up in the drainage we're hunting.  There's a pretty good ridge between camp and where the elk hang out.  We plan on not being too noisy, but what about smoke from a fire... anybody have experience with that around elk and how disturbing or not that is?

Thanks.

The smell from the smoke won't bother them a bit.  The smell from you will, regardless of what state you're in.

[rosscrazyelk]

Not during season  mind youbut I have had elk outside my tent while there was a fire going.

[coachcw]

It's crazy how elk will walk right up to a set camp making a ton of noise and smells but when your trying to get close to them they will spoke at the drop of a pin . one year we had 100 elk walk right up to our camp at 11 am with generators going and dogs running around !

[saylean]

Thats video from the evening before season bout 2 years back. As you can tell by the smoke, I had a fire going. I was back bout 3 miles and had deer coming by camp quite often.

But I would try to hang back a ridge or so from the area you want to hunt, if possible....even though, I guess I dont...

[400out]

   I can think of another when I woke up and Idabooner had one standing over him in the moonlight sniffing him.   

This coming from a guy that goes no where with out a camera! Where is the picture of that 

[rtspring]

Two years ago up in the Little Naches at elk camp,
It was the middle of the day and fire going strong. Went to visit the ol chit house and when I came out. There was a big bull elk standing 10 feet away just feeding away. Heck I lit a cigarette and wtched him for 10 mins.  Its not what spooks them its WHEN they get spooked.

Never worrry about the campfire smoke myself....

[400out]

RT is this what your chitter looks like 

[rtspring]

Damn,
You been spying on me

[400out]

sat dish gave you away 

[JimmyHoffa]

There was one hunter that was camping with his truck next to his tent.  The elk tried to walk between the tent and the truck and stepped on him.  That was during the rut when they were running all over, though. 
One of the places I go is right next to a national park campsite.  In the mornings the elk will leave the park and go up the hill/mountain and leave the park, in the evenings they come back to the campsites and hang around people.  Strange animals sometimes.
I've had blacktails that have hidden within 100 yds of camp (chopping, fires, some shooting), and stayed there for days.  Find their beds, trails, scat--eventually them.

[400out]

There was one hunter that was camping with his truck next to his tent.  The elk tried to walk between the tent and the truck and stepped on him.  That was during the rut when they were running all over, though. 
One of the places I go is right next to a national park campsite.  In the mornings the elk will leave the park and go up the hill/mountain and leave the park, in the evenings they come back to the campsites and hang around people.  Strange animals sometimes.
I've had blacktails that have hidden within 100 yds of camp (chopping, fires, some shooting), and stayed there for days.  Find their beds, trails, scat--eventually them.

Yeah that happens all the time in the colockum. Not to surprised to hear that.