Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: wooltie on May 23, 2014, 12:39:49 PM
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How do west side elk respond to hikers, mountain bikers, campers, day walkers, and pretty much anyone except hunters who hang out in their habitat?
I'm planning my scout trips for elk this year, exploring new areas is on the agenda.
Hikers and mountain bikers do frequent these areas I'm considering, however.
Just wondering what people opinions / experience is regarding elk areas.
I know of other potential areas with less people, but these areas with hikers look appealing..
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Be respectful and understanding. Just because some people do not hunt does not mean they are against it. Set a good image and you will not have a problem with most. There is always a few bad ones in every barrel. Just ignore those and go on. Most important! You know others may be in the area. Know exactly where you projectile is going.
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My experience has been that elk get alerted by sound and scent, but that only makes them nervous. It's what they see that makes them stay or run. Most hikers just walk fast and chit chat (loudly), but don't really stop except after long distances. Seems the elk will stand there and watch them go right past. Same with bikes. But as soon as you stop or make a big direction change or change something, they take off. Kind of the same as vehicles--they will stand out in the open in a clearing or the grass shoulder of the road, but as soon as the car slows/stops or the door opens--they take off.
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I had a herd of elk bed next to a well traveled trail up at Mt Adams. I found them the evening before in some timber between me and the trail down below. Funny thing is I could hear all the hollerin from the hikers just on the other side of the elk a few hundred yards. They were alert but still stayed in the area. It's when you start snoopin and poopin that they get anxious and bust.
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