Check every entrance prior to season.
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Find a good trail.
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I believe that a lot of elk will leave the surrounding areas to enter a "relatively" safe area.
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Any elk that has lived a few years knows what the crunch of tires on logging roads is.
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Locked gates and restricted access is your friend.
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But...
I also think they have learned to live on the edges.
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By the time ml season opens they have met a few bowhunters on both sides of the gates..
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Permit holders will (most likely) try "steep and deep", non permit holders will hunt to the boundaries..
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That marginal area between the two extremes is made for old hunters, new hunters, and youth..
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I'd rather be lucky than good, it's a lot less work.