Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: pickardjw on May 23, 2022, 12:36:27 PM

Title: Scouting Season
Post by: pickardjw on May 23, 2022, 12:36:27 PM: How early does everyone start scouting? First year doing western elk muzzy and I have a few spots in 560 and 516 to start checking out. Overlaid a forest service snow depth map onto OnX and it looks like a couple of the spots I have marked up may be accessible this weekend but I'm not sure it will be worth the trip.

For one, if they're not back in there from winter range I'll be setting cameras blind. Also concerned about the actual snow levels out there. Is it worth waiting for the snow to melt a bit more?
Title: Re: Scouting Season
Post by: vandeman17 on May 23, 2022, 01:05:21 PM: If its a new area, i scout as early as my schedule allows. The first trip or two is generally just getting a lay of the land and covering area. The only time I really concern myself with actually laying eyes on critters is if I am able to scout close to the actual season.
Title: Re: Scouting Season
Post by: pickardjw on May 23, 2022, 01:10:00 PM: Yeah I’m not super concerned with seeing animals or setting cameras. It’s mostly to start learning the area. But if snow is gonna make that miserable / impossible I’ll save the gas money and fish all weekend :chuckle:
Title: Re: Scouting Season
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 23, 2022, 01:19:05 PM: Depends on the altitude. With all of the cold weather, I would imagine 560 at above 3500' is still snowed in, 4k' until the end of June, and 5K' late in July.
Title: Re: Scouting Season
Post by: vandeman17 on May 23, 2022, 01:19:12 PM: Quote from: pickardjw on May 23, 2022, 01:10:00 PM
Yeah I’m not super concerned with seeing animals or setting cameras. It’s mostly to start learning the area. But if snow is gonna make that miserable / impossible I’ll save the gas money and fish all weekend :chuckle:

absolutely. We drew a unit in Montana I have never stepped foot in. Would love to make multiple scouting trips but given the cost of fuel, one multiple day trip is about all I want to pay for
Title: Re: Scouting Season
Post by: pickardjw on May 23, 2022, 04:04:03 PM: Quote from: pianoman9701 on May 23, 2022, 01:19:05 PM
Depends on the altitude. With all of the cold weather, I would imagine 560 at above 3500' is still snowed in, 4k' until the end of June, and 5K' late in July.

Oof...well it might be worth waiting until the end of June. Was hoping to get into my elk spots before the high buck spots but it might be the other way around. Double checked my map and it does look like the snow line is around 3000' as of now.
Title: Re: Scouting Season
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on May 23, 2022, 08:59:05 PM: Depends on what aspects your working and road getting there.
3000 should be completely clean for the most part. Was up in toutle this weekend and below 3500 or so was good, 3500 to 4000 variable depending on aspect and cover. Above 4 still covered
Title: Re: Scouting Season
Post by: huntnnw on May 24, 2022, 02:07:03 AM: Ill be lucky to get into my idaho by the 3rd week of July this year probably end of july. 97" still at the snotel and not melting much