Hunting Forum

A problem with trying to pattern elk is that in most states you rarely get to hunt exactly where you want. So, a person would have to spend all his time all over the state to observe each herd while keeping their fingers crossed that they get the oportunity to hunt there. However, after listening to you guys in different states, it is apparent that there are many similarities in the habits elk have...at least through the west. This makes it easier to watch for certain signs, weather patterns, and pressures in determining where in an area to hunt.

I'm often tickled by the sheep hunters. No, not hunters hunting sheep but the many hunters who follow everyone else to an area that someone had mentioned. Two years ago as I stood toward the corner of some black timber beside a meadow, I saw no less than 30 atvs and trucks pass by on a nearby trail on their way to the same stretch of land rumored to hold animals. Shortly after the parade had passed, three good bulls stepped out from the timber giving me an easy harvest. Right place at the right time??? Or did I spend time scouting the area for signs, terrain, winds, and weather??? I think it was the latter but there's always some luck to a successful hunt.

Paterning Elk
With the exception of of a few times, I've hunted Elk in the same 10 SQ miles, both in Washington for Roosevelts and here in Wyoming.  Don't think you have to patern the whole State you live in or the State you want to hunt in!  Agree, Elk are Elk, and do what they do.  Think if you learn Elk and what they do, you can hunt them anywhere sucsessfuly.

And that's why I made the post.  It's not about where you hunt them.  It's about what Elk do, what efects them, where there go, and all the effort it takes to get into them.

You don't have to give up your secret spot to post here.  It's about sharing what Elk do.

Thanks to everyone for the info!!!

Dean
H2O Elkaholic

Right place at the right time??? Or did I spend time scouting the area for signs, terrain, winds, and weather??? I think it was the latter but there's always some luck to a successful hunt.

I ran into a hunter in the woods one time who, after I told him I'd spent the previous two days packing out my dad's bull, that he'd rather be lucky than good.

It does take a hec of a lot of work to be good!

Hardest I've ever worked for two weeks, was Elk hunting!

Thanks,
IdahoHombre

TTT

Thanx again

Think I got some info we haven't covered?  Roads, traffic, hunters and now with the West on fire, fires!  How does this affect elk and there movements?

I think the bigest deterant to me bagging the the bull I want has always been human caused!!!  I think elk are easy when left to do what Elk do.  When preasured by noise, smells (smoke or human)(camp fires can do it too!), they change there paterns.  They move away from  the preasure and danger.  They turn more nocturnal and inhabit steeper and more remote country.

I've always killed more Elk on Thursday than any other day of the week!  Weekend hunters come in on Friday and leave on Sunday, after thay leave, it takes a couple of days for the elk to settle down.  By Thursday, they're where there suposed to be!

JMO
Dean
H2O Elkaholic

Saw something new, I recognize this weekend.  Always thought the big bulls ran out the smaller bulls.  Now think that's not true.  There is a pecking order!  What I saw this weekend confirmed it.  Bulls were screaming. locking horns ang fighting.  Yet it was smaller bulls running off the spikes and what might be satlite bulls runnig off the rag horns..  Result?  Big bulls don't run eveyone out!  Smaller bulls fight smaller bulls.  Result is that the smaller bulls get dislodged and wander for miles, so they don't inbread.

Think the big guys don't have to fight eveyone, just those in there class!  Anyone else seen this?


Dean
H2O Elkaholic

Dean, it is too far for me to Scout and watch Elk at work and play but I was in YNP once as the rut was starting on a non-hunting trip. I observed the same thing you did but also two biggazz bulls fighting for harem....I surmised the others were practicing for when they could challenge the herd master.

2012: Hunt them where they are. The little bull took about two hours to get a shot on. The big bull is my sons first. It rough scores - 288, net 279.

Had a great 9 days hunting.

Posted By Skud on 04 Nov 2012 10:22 PM


2012: Hunt them where they are. The little bull took about two hours to get a shot on. The big bull is my sons first. It rough scores - 288, net 279.

Had a great 9 days hunting.

Congrat to you and your boy,.. hope to see you guys in October 2013 while out with H2O,...

Skud
Ya can't just post a picture.  We need to hear the story too!

Thanks for the pics buddy!

Dean
H2O