BackPack Archery Elk Camp Setup locations

[Gregt9146]

I know there is lots to think about on where to set up camp after a day's hunt, but is it better camp at higher elevation/tops or is best to set up in lower elevations due to morning thermals? I think higher better personally as long as you understand what the thermals and prevailing winds are going to be doing over night, but my brother thinks lower is better. I know there is more to than that but that is the focal point right now of our. discussions. Thoughts?

 

[Beendare]

I prioritize camp like this;
Close to a Water source
Not close to a spot the elk are using- about 1/2 mile away minimum preferably
Sheltered/protected from the wind
No widow makers

But sometimes you have to take what you can get....

 

[Deerhunter6250]

I prioritize camp like this;
Close to a Water source
Not close to a spot the elk are using- about 1/2 mile away minimum preferably
Sheltered/protected from the wind
No widow makers

But sometimes you have to take what you can get....

I agree with everything but also look for a flat piece of ground.

 

[TheBull]

I agree with the above.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

It sounds obvious but you want to avoid where elk transit through or where they want to be to feed.

Examples:
don’t setup on the edge of a meadow.
Or near a major game trail/saddle
Or near water in more aired areas
Or on creek bottom trails

It can seem like they “could” be or want to be anywhere, which is true. Consider where you directional winds and thermals will carry.

 

[dirt_nap]

I like to set up our spike camps in proximity to water, glassing areas, and spots where I can potentially hear the elk from camp. I don't like being all the way down at a creek bottom if I can help it. I think the main point as has been said is just try to be a little ways away from where you think the elk may move to bed and feed. We like to start with glassing most mornings, so we prefer to be higher on the ridges, but staying away from any saddles they may use to travel over.

 

[Beendare]

Worth mentioning, It seems everyone wants to backpack camp for elk. If you know they are in a certain spot, then great. Most times we have to move until we find them.

Usually it's better to camp at your truck....at least until you find a good spot.

 

[Sportsman247]

Typically, base camp until a good spot is found to hike into and camp. Having camp on your back is nice but not worth the body strain and fatigue if you're not in game. Day hike in with less weight and if you find a good spot, then take camp back in with you. JMO

 

[steelheadmike]

Worth mentioning, It seems everyone wants to backpack camp for elk. If you know they are in a certain spot, then great. Most times we have to move until we find them.

Usually it's better to camp at your truck....at least until you find a good spot.

Typically, base camp until a good spot is found to hike into and camp. Having camp on your back is nice but not worth the body strain and fatigue if you're not in game. Day hike in with less weight and if you find a good spot, then take camp back in with you. JMO

This ^^^ x100.

Single best piece(s) of advice for a new elk hunter (or any elk hunter). The distance I'm usually willing to day hunt is greater than the distance I'm willing to pack an elk out solo...so I day hunt waaayyyy more.

 

[hibernation]

It sounds obvious but you want to avoid where elk transit through or where they want to be to feed.

Examples:
don’t setup on the edge of a meadow.
Or near a major game trail/saddle

I've got a spot where there's this beautiful meadow in a hidden basin, water source and lush veg next to dark timber in an out of the way spot that doesn't get much traffic. Prime spot, until a guy sets his entire wall tent camp up in it.

 

[aachey]

The one year in a new area we setup on a tiny bench on a finger ridge. Underestimated where the elk traveled during the night and had our camp right in the middle of elk. Somehow we never spooked them and "unfortunately" had to listen to bugles all night. Quite literally were 100 yards from them multiple times but apparently our scent floated the right way down the drainage.

 

[Chiledawg]

Worth mentioning, It seems everyone wants to backpack camp for elk. If you know they are in a certain spot, then great. Most times we have to move until we find them.

Usually it's better to camp at your truck....at least until you find a good spot.

Yup, too much excitement about bivy camps but first - find the elk and that can sometimes be a daunting exercise.

 

[dylanvb]

I put up camp when I was spotting in a spot I thought there wouldn’t be any elk. Woke up the next morning stumbled out of the tent and bumped a huge bull not even 25 yards from me who must have came in and bedded there for the night. Sometimes you just can’t predict what they are gonna do.

 

[LostArra]

I put up camp when I was spotting in a spot I thought there wouldn’t be any elk. Woke up the next morning stumbled out of the tent and bumped a huge bull not even 25 yards from me who must have came in and bedded there for the night. Sometimes you just can’t predict what they are gonna do.

If you are in elk country there is always the possibility you will camp with the elk especially if you are by water.
One year we hiked out of camp by a creek well before dawn to get to a high ridge for glassing. Heard some bugling and as the sun came up we saw a bull down by the creek right between our tents.

Almost every camping spot in elk country will seem stupid to someone else. Just keep an arrow nocked at all times during legal light.

 

[butcherboy]

Worth mentioning, It seems everyone wants to backpack camp for elk. If you know they are in a certain spot, then great. Most times we have to move until we find them.

Usually it's better to camp at your truck....at least until you find a good spot.

Sssshhh! Don’t give the best secrets away so fast! Let him backpack in 5 miles and then kill an elk 1/2 mile from his truck.

 

[Gregt9146]

All good advise, thanks for the replies

 

[bozeman]

I always look for a bowl or rock out cropping to help block the wind. Even tight lines can still cause a tent to shake all night in the wind.

 

[Gapmaster]

As previously mentioned, 1/2 mile minimum from the elk. Close enough to water that it’s not a hassle but far enough away as to not hinder your hearing at night. I personally use the terrain to get as close to my hunting area as practicable. If the elk are feeding on open meadows up high and bedding down lower, I’ll try to camp just over the ridge top and far enough away to be able to parallel them in the morning without the thermals busting things up. But elk are where they are and I often just find the flattest spot for my tent when it gets dark. Practice noise and light discipline and pray they don’t smell you. Those little flat spots behind rock outcropping seem to serve me well in my area. Watch out for those beetle kill trees. There’s been many a bull killed within 100 yards of camps. Always be ready and never disregard a stick popping even if you think it’s too close to your tent. Good luck!

 

[TradLife406]

If you're a whitetail dude ask yourself if it was a Midwest deer hunt where wouldn't you want to camp?
Would it be good to camp where the bucks bed?
Would it be good to camp where the deer are traveling through?
How about right on their water source?

Funny how Midwesties forget all they know about basic whitetail hunting when they come west. Same dudes running cell cameras to limit pressure in the hunting areas.

Try south facing slopes. If the elk are on the forth face go a little ways down the south face. You may still get elk in camp though or near by.

If you are camped high then don't get too excited chasing down after the elk first thing in the morning. In my old spot I'd be up early and get high and just listen. Sit there for a few hours then hunt down the mountain.

Atleast one time though I didn't wait because the elk were way too close. Whoops. Eventually my impatience caused a massive stampede. Not sure how many were there but it must have been a ton.