Rookie question........Located Elk, now what?

[Coach529]

Only my second year Elk hunting in Northern Idaho.

Last season I located Elk in 4 different locations during preseason scouting. Came back the 2nd week of season and found nothing. Between hunting pressure and Wolves they had all moved.

Started scouting yesterday an found a herd. So it is a month away from the season. What is the next step?

 

[ElkNut1]

Basically I don't scout now or really get too excited over finding elk weeks before the opener. If archery hunting you probably are not calling enough to locate elk in that dark timbered country. Once there during your hunt dates Bugle for location as you move about burning boot leather, you'll find them!

ElkNut/Paul

 

[Coach529]

Thanks!!

 

[P Carter]

This is the tough question. We run into elk all summer long, hiking with the kids, out running, driving on the backroads, driving on the highway.

Finding elk in the summer and killing elk during the season are two completely different things. I'd listen to Paul and other folks more experienced than myself. In my limited years of elk hunting, we've gone from finding elk in the summer, to finding elk in the season, to some limited killing elk during the season...it's a process!

 

[5MilesBack]

Finding elk in the off-season is great for picture taking and general enjoyment, but it doesn't do much good for filling your tag during the season. Find those elk during the season, and then kill one.

 

[juan trueno]

I shoot one and pack it out after I locate them. Pretty strait forward. Definitely go gutless and use a quality bag like ovis sacks tag bags etc.

 

[Justinmm]

interesting.

 

[Salmon River Solutions]

There are a lot of elk in the panhandle.

That being said, they are elusive during hunting season. You can prepare as much as you can, but “scouting”the day before opener is the scouting that really counts. Out of 6 years hunting the panhandle I got within 40 yards or less of a herd of elk every year. Finding them is easy for me, even during season. Getting a shot at one is a completely different thing.

I never shot an elk until I left my comfort zone of the panhandle.

If you wanna find the elk just find sign in a general area. Then find the thickest nastiest darkest deepest spot and the bulls hanging out there mid day in a wallow. Good luck getting to him quietly.




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[Rsully661]

I shoot one and pack it out after I locate them. Pretty strait forward. Definitely go gutless and use a quality bag like ovis sacks tag bags etc.

This is my exact method!! I would stick with it for sure.


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[MNman]

Keep after it. My hunting buddies always made fun of my scouting trips and it’s true, here today, gone tomorrow. But I always enjoyed getting my training in by hiking rather than in a gym.

 

[Treeline]

Early scouting is great conditioning and always fun to sit and watch the babies run around. But as you found out often doesn't mean s$#!t when season rolls around. Get to know the dark timber benches and hard to get to little pockets.

 

[Ross]

The elk don’t have to move far in the jungles of north Idaho to think they are gone they simply can be quite and around the next bend due to wolves or pressure.....they aren’t ghosts but can seem like it in this country cover more ground and pockets others don’t venture or overlook due to difficulty or limited visibility work harder than most and you will find them good luck

 

[BK Ammenwerth]

If your scouting all you should be worried about us finding cows. Others have givin good info. It’s brushy and nasty up there and sound doesn’t carry real far. Keep smashing around to each pocket, bugle, and it’ll happen. As other have stated getting a shooting lane or a shot can be tough. I’ve spent some time in upper St Joe and outside standpoint area and it’s thick n steep. Darkest, steepest hell hole near areas that have been logged 2-7 years ago or a burn.

 

[woody6899]

For me, upping my scouting game is helping me learn more about elk. I have lived in my town my whole life, I have seen plenty of sign on the mountain but have never once seen an elk in the summer range. Plenty when they come out for winter. This summer I still haven’t seen any in person but have plenty on trail camera. Learning elk behavior is more important that finding where they are right now. Plus it’s a huge confidence boost to know that my escorting pays off occasionally.


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[Coach529]

Thanks guys.

I have been getting out and locating fresh sign and cows mainly. Also learning the lay of the land in the area I hunt. Getting excited to spend another season "Learning".

 

[307]

Plus it’s a huge confidence boost to know that my escorting pays off occasionally.

Is this how you afford more hunting gear? Or, does the "experience" enable you to understand the breeding dynamics more thoroughly?

Either way, glad it's paying off for you...

 

[woody6899]

Is this how you afford more hunting gear? Or, does the "experience" enable you to understand the breeding dynamics more thoroughly?

Either way, glad it's paying off for you...

Darn auto correct. E-scouting not escorting. Lol


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[FlyGuy]

Is this how you afford more hunting gear? Or, does the "experience" enable you to understand the breeding dynamics more thoroughly?

Either way, glad it's paying off for you...

How do I sign up for that job? I just need part time.


You can’t cheat the mountain

 

[HookUp]

Finding elk doesn't mean squat as much as they travel. Throw down way points and keep it in your playbook.

When I summer scout I find cows 9 out of 10 times when I relocate them in September a herd bull has moved in.

 

[Coach529]

My biggest question is do you toss down a way point and use that as a potential hunting spot once the season starts?