Post by: wooltie on August 04, 2013, 05:36:41 PM
Thanks for all the advice from this forum.
These are from the weekend. First year elk hunting on the wetside for archery. Pics taken from a bench on drainage located on an ESE slope at around 1500', from a mountain that peaks at 3400'. Uphill the terrain was more vertical, lots of blowdowns, but still navigable. These areas were more flat, open, lots of ferns, vines, soft mossy ground.
Saw a few elk tracks and plenty of bear prints.
Does this look like elk habitat?
I've been scouting a lot and hope I'm identifying good areas. Next I'll scout the north slope.
I'll be hunting in the timber. No clearcuts / meadows. These areas were more open as I mentioned earlier. The opposite terrain I saw was the thick jungle climb over logs fallen sticks PITA type stuff.
Post by: snarkybull on August 04, 2013, 06:39:41 PM
look for HEAVILY used elk trails. follow them til you find an intersection. sit on it and watch. or put up a camera.
there isn't really any elk food in those pictures. and there isn't very good cover, either.
Post by: Alan K on August 04, 2013, 07:15:40 PM
Post by: snarkybull on August 04, 2013, 07:30:03 PM
Sword ferns are a major food source for elk.
absolutely true, but seasonally. they eat them when the leaves and grass are sparse. i.e. october-march. september is different.
Post by: wooltie on August 04, 2013, 08:12:19 PM
Or does that depend on the herd in question. Meaning, some herds spend time high up then come down as the snow melts...others lay in the lowlands?
Thanks guys for any help. Not looking for honey holes or anything, just looking at the topos, google earth, then scouting with the garmin on foot.....and when I survey huge units riddle with creeks, drainage, highs and lows, it is difficult to narrow down a place to start.....thought I suspect herds consistently hang in certain areas in a unit.
Post by: snarkybull on August 04, 2013, 08:19:53 PM
Post by: swwaoutdoorsman on August 04, 2013, 08:26:55 PM
Post by: wooltie on August 05, 2013, 05:26:37 AM
Looks like good country killed elk in similar environments but there ha always been an creek or swamp within a mile or so. I personaly like steep drainages they always seem to hold elk. If that bench has a water source near you'll do fine :twocents:
The bench spans 3 creeks.
I'll look for some grassy areas and explore some more vertical areas.....every time I go to a vertical place they're riddled with blowdowns....take a 15 minutes to go 15 feet....but if that's where they hide then I guess I better get cracking....
Post by: WSU on August 05, 2013, 02:35:24 PM