Strategies for Hot Weather and Full Moon Elk Hunting

[pianoman9701]

So we've got nineties and a full moon coming on Monday. Critters will be up all night and where will they be during light? How do you hunt these conditions for success? Dark timber with water nearby? What do you guys do for these conditions?

[AKBowman]

I'm going dark timber with water near by. We'll see!

[Snapshot]

Yes, dark timber with some cold water running through it is as close to air-conditioning as they can get. I'll be actively moving at dawn and dusk, just like the elk will, and then settle in for the day without moving much if at all. In the heat of the day it might be worth napping by a series of wallows.

[longbow11b1p]

Water, but not the obvious pond or lake. Steep black timber with small creeks. You have to go at them ,they are there.think of where you would want to be on a hot day and get there. I was able to hunt opening day and got into them at 1:00pm  and even let a spike walk and got on the edge  Of a big heard .I know its hard but bring lots of water and dive off the road into the nasty stuff, sit for a while and cow call.you will get results it just wont be easy.

[DoubleJ]

So they will still talk during the hot weather I'm assuming?

[3Under]

So they will still talk during the hot weather I'm assuming?

It's been my experience that pressured elk don't talk much after the opener period.  Most of the talk/bugling that I hear in the woods comes from other hunters.

As far as my hot weather strategy, I'm taking this weekend off and going after them next week.  Wouldn't want to risk spoiled meat.

[Instinct]

They still talkin but softly. Ran into elk everyday this week minus today n fri. Heard em bugelin too i was in lil naches not a lot of hunters but i think they are startin to get pushed out of there or being quiet.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

i ran into elk every day there to. Besides fri sat.  I seen alot of people they just drove past the elk. full moon fri night and no elk seen sat i left with high hopes of the last few days.

[huntnnw]

Ive hunted elk that were hunted heavily and they bugled and cow called alot...the later part of september tho which WA doesnt get..the last part of SEpt there is alot of talking in the elk woods

[JimmyHoffa]

One strategy if you have a two (or more) people is to have one use a predator call.  They can hold in that thick stuff or even laydown on the sides of a clearcut.  Once you start up with a predator call sometimes they will get nervous and start to move around.  Realize they will be on alert, but will be slowly moving out of one area and looking for another.  Crow sounds seem to work best.

[Hunter Dug]

Yes, dark timber with some cold water running through it is as close to air-conditioning as they can get. I'll be actively moving at dawn and dusk, just like the elk will, and then settle in for the day without moving much if at all. In the heat of the day it might be worth napping by a series of wallows.

Right on the money!

[huntnnw]

Dark timber and water?    NE corner u can find 30 springs and water in a hillside of dark timber...u would have to get incrediably lucky if a bull was to show up at the one you are hunting

heres a obvious watering hole I found a few days ago on top of a ridge...its being pounded.probably at night. The good thing is I have yet to see another boot track within 4 miles of this spot all season..hung a camera on it sunday..checking it tomorrow. 

[bloodhound]

i found that when i find un pressured area's they still come out few hours before dark but they work the shade no matter the weather. but i like to hunt the edges of clear cuts that you cant see from a road because they have a steep drop in the back corner that hides them and have water in the bottom. usually next to a band of trees between 2 clear cuts no more then 100-200 yards wide that the loggers had to leave for erosion purposes. they make good funnel ambush points and i think the elk like them because they feel they have easy escaping.

[oldleclercrd]

Huntnnw I cant wait to see the pics from this new spot!

[huntnnw]

funny u mentioned hunting the edge of clearcuts.. this is above a huge clearcut 2,000 yards wide and almost as long on a hillside...the elk are using a small bench mid hillside to enter the cut..I jumped 7 elk coming out one evening    I am going to sit there this week they are using it alot! cam there now

I am excited to see pics too! but I dunno if cam will be up there was now where to hang one near..so I found a 4 ft log that weight about 40lbs and stood it up and strapped cam to it. I think theres a possibility of seeing elk here in daylight since no one is around and its such a long hike