Post by: zblank on July 02, 2014, 08:32:42 PM
I found new country in the NE corner that I really liked. The ground was like an elk highway with fresh sign everywhere on the very old logging road that I was on (about 5 miles long). I only saw 1 bull (big mature bull but I couldn't get a shot) and everything was silent in September. I tried to stay close to the old logging road because it was a new area and the canopy was too dense to get a good GPS signal (I've since bought a new GPS). I'm planning on a good thorough scouting trip this summer around mid July to look for old rubs, wallows etc. I went on Google earth and found a couple of saddles and benches (there is water everywhere so that's no issue) and I was going to walk all of the elk trails to and from. This year I switched from archery to powder to get a few more vocal days than I have experienced the last couple of years.
My questions are:
1. What would you guys (I'm pretty sure most of you guys are much better than I am) key in on for a scouting trip?
2. What would your game plan be?
Post by: Jburke on July 03, 2014, 01:17:13 AM
Post by: RadSav on July 03, 2014, 03:07:14 AM
I like to work areas close to the bedding spots in the AM and closer to the food source in the evening. If the canopy is thick I like to spend my mid days close to the water source. Especially after noon while making every attempt to be in my evening spots by 4:00. Once the thermals switch back to going down hill is when I start noticing the evening shift towards feed.
For elk everything revolves around bedding, wind and thermals. If you know where they sleep make sure you are set up in a correct path that does not take the evening down draft toward the bedding spots. Same goes for mid day when you are working the water. Make sure you can get into those watering spots without the updraft of mid-day taking your scent toward the bedding area. Similarly try to be below their feeding zone at first light. If the updraft shifts early - bug out and try again tomorrow or circle wide enough to keep your scent away.
I am a firm believer that those who see elk and those that don't are those who pay attention to wind and those that don't. Elk will accept a certain amount of noise. Even a certain amount of movement. But let the wind change while in stealth mode and they can become ghosts surprisingly easy!
Your scouting to find elk has pretty much been done. Now it is all about finding each zone (feed, breed, food, drink, escape, sleep and all transitions in-between) that way you can choose your routes according to wind trends and variations. Once you start seeing the same elk regularly then you need to pay attention to passing of time between sightings. We watched an elk for nearly ten years waiting to draw a tag for him. He slept in the same general spot every single day of each archery season. But his feeding, drinking and breeding routine was on a three day cycle. He worked south to west on day one, west to north day two, and north to east day three. Always returning to his common bedding timber within three hours of sun up. Unfortunately we could not draw a tag in ten years and his bedding ground was eventually logged. That year a muzzy hunter took him just north of his old territory. Wife was finally drawn the year after :bash:
The point is that scouting is not just seeing elk. It's trying to identify "that" bull and "that" cow. Then putting the whole puzzle together figuring out "their" routine without allowing them to figure out "your" routine! Don't be surprised if you see "that" bull here on Tuesday and "that other" bull there on Wednesday repeat often. Of course this is difficult to do in high pressure areas where other hunters can alter their habits. But it sounds as though you have a dang good start in finding just the right bull in just the right area for that perfect season! When it comes together you'll be saying to yourself, "Man! That wasn't all that difficult after all."
Post by: ctwiggs1 on July 03, 2014, 08:46:35 AM
I just got a serious elk *censored* reading your post. Crap - I still have 3 months left till season!!!
Curtis
Post by: T-Dozzer on July 03, 2014, 03:32:58 PM
Real good advice.
Post by: buglebrush on July 22, 2014, 04:47:04 PM
Here's my dilemma.
I found new country in the NE corner that I really liked. The ground was like an elk highway with fresh sign everywhere on the very old logging road that I was on (about 5 miles long). I only saw 1 bull (big mature bull but I couldn't get a shot) and everything was silent in September. I tried to stay close to the old logging road because it was a new area and the canopy was too dense to get a good GPS signal (I've since bought a new GPS). I'm planning on a good thorough scouting trip this summer around mid July to look for old rubs, wallows etc. I went on Google earth and found a couple of saddles and benches (there is water everywhere so that's no issue) and I was going to walk all of the elk trails to and from. This year I switched from archery to powder to get a few more vocal days than I have experienced the last couple of years.
My questions are:
1. What would you guys (I'm pretty sure most of you guys are much better than I am) key in on for a scouting trip?
2. What would your game plan be?
Your first priority should be to make sure you are not hunting my spot :bdid: :chuckle:
Be somewhere you can hear into the area hours before first light, and listen. In my opinion this is one of the most important things.