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taralon · June 25, 2007, 10:02 PM

1) Yes
2) Yes, though there may be some smallish all female herds numbering up into the low teens. You'll probably want to find a yearling or second year cow without a calf. Yearling elk heifers are some of the best elk eating out there.
3) Mostly true. Not always.
4) Depends on the Temp IMHO. If it is hot, and dry, they're going to be low in the canyons near a water source, and shade. Stalk and spot along rivers or near water in aspen and lodgepole is a good strategy. Early in the morning they may be higher on the sunlight side of the hills to get a little morning warmth.
5) Pretty much. Younger elk though are curious, and making general cow calls and bull grunts might bring in a yearling looking for company. Bugling isn't going to do much for you.

My advice? Look over an aerial map of the area you drew in (google earth works great if they've got high resolution footage of your area). Find likely watering holes, with good shade nearby and grass not far away. If there is a river try to find sandy banks with shallow slopes leading to them. Scope these out, especially the watering holes during the pre-season. Try to find places that the elk tend to like to drink. During the early morning hunt the grassy areas, and in the heat of the day, move into the shade and spot/stalk in the lodgepoles and aspens. The elk are likely to be bedded down taking a siesta (much as you'd like to be doing as well). Mid-late afternoon move into an area near the watering hole, and like deer try to get them on the way/away from water. Sometimes a tree stand works good for this, but personally I just try to find a rock outcrop.

June 25, 2007, 10:02 PM	#4
taralon Member Join Date: October 21, 2004 Posts: 88	1) Yes 2) Yes, though there may be some smallish all female herds numbering up into the low teens. You'll probably want to find a yearling or second year cow without a calf. Yearling elk heifers are some of the best elk eating out there. 3) Mostly true. Not always. 4) Depends on the Temp IMHO. If it is hot, and dry, they're going to be low in the canyons near a water source, and shade. Stalk and spot along rivers or near water in aspen and lodgepole is a good strategy. Early in the morning they may be higher on the sunlight side of the hills to get a little morning warmth. 5) Pretty much. Younger elk though are curious, and making general cow calls and bull grunts might bring in a yearling looking for company. Bugling isn't going to do much for you. My advice? Look over an aerial map of the area you drew in (google earth works great if they've got high resolution footage of your area). Find likely watering holes, with good shade nearby and grass not far away. If there is a river try to find sandy banks with shallow slopes leading to them. Scope these out, especially the watering holes during the pre-season. Try to find places that the elk tend to like to drink. During the early morning hunt the grassy areas, and in the heat of the day, move into the shade and spot/stalk in the lodgepoles and aspens. The elk are likely to be bedded down taking a siesta (much as you'd like to be doing as well). Mid-late afternoon move into an area near the watering hole, and like deer try to get them on the way/away from water. Sometimes a tree stand works good for this, but personally I just try to find a rock outcrop.