Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: floatinghat on September 27, 2013, 05:43:51 PM

Title: Weather, Elk and Habitat?
Post by: floatinghat on September 27, 2013, 05:43:51 PM: So I am pretty new to elk hunting and drew a muzzy cow tag in 506 as posted earlier. I have scouted some and others here have been kind enough to offer some general directions. I have seen some elk, been chased off on piece of land that I was told was open ( I guess recently changed hands and closed?).

Now my question, I spotted a few cows near some recent clear cuts. If the crappy weather comes in next weekend, will that change their behavior? I also found some very well used trails in the thicker cover. While I didn't see any animals it was obvious they used those trails regularly.

So if its coming down heavy should I continue concentrate on the clear cuts or the heavier timber? I know the animals are where you find them, so I am looking for other peoples experience and hopefully so additional direction. A friend who is an experienced elk hunter was to come and help me out, but got called out of town for the week. I am hoping to make it down a day early to get in some additional scouting but want to score on my first elk.

Any suggests greatly appreciated as they might be stupid questions but I would rather ask than not.
Title: Re: Weather, Elk and Habitat?
Post by: Eli346 on September 27, 2013, 09:18:53 PM: I like to hit the timbered draws. You might see them in the clearcuts now and then but it seems to me that they tend to stay in cover when they get pressured and they are definitely pressured on public land! They like the thick reprod also but that can be hard to hunt by one person unless the ridges are close together so you can shoot from one hillside to another so that's why I usually hunt big timber where it's steep and deep. The rain will give you the added bonus of covering your scent and noise so I favor a rainy day or right after a rain so the water's still coming off the trees and making some noise.
It's best to keep the wind in your face or quartering to you and just move slowly. Elk can be pretty quiet when they want to be and a bull will hang tight like a blacktail; bolting at the last second so be ready for a quick shot. We did a hunt a few years ago down a long timbered section. We met near the bottom about 1/2 mile in and only had a few hundred yards to go to finish the hunt. When my partner and I ran into each other we stopped and talked for a few minutes on a ridge top. He started down one side and me the other and I hadn't gone 10 yards when a nice bull busted out from behind a cedar stump at about 15 yards away. He had been laying there the whole time we were talking. I dropped him at about 30 yds just before he got around the corner and out of sight. Scared the heck out of my hunting partner until he heard the elk drop. I've taken quite a few elk this way but I have to say that was probably the closest I've been before they took off. The bull I got last year was trying to sneak out when I saw him at about 75 yards.
Title: Re: Weather, Elk and Habitat?
Post by: floatinghat on September 28, 2013, 09:51:29 PM: Thanks will take the recommendation to heart. One real positive is the cow tag, but I am thinking the pressure will be pretty light. I am thinking there are only 15 muzzy tags for the unit so the lack of pressure I am guessing will have them a little more at easy.