Scouting Trip(s) Plan?

[WapitiTalk1]

For those fortunate enough to be able to put BOG and scout your elk area(s) this year, when are you heading out? What are your plans when you do go (put out trail cams, prepare ground blind/tree stand sites, do some trail clearing, check previous year's rut sign in a few places in your general area, prep camp w/firewood, glass and ballpark herd count/calf survival rate, field test some new gear, etc.)?

[Swede]

I plan to go on a scouting trip in mid July. I will check tree stand sites, cattle use of the area, hang some trail cameras, and tie up my 2014 bull near a good water hole. What I am wondering is; how much hay and salt should be left with the bull since I can't stick around and feed him daily. I am also wondering if I ask Stringunner to check on the bull, if he will think the rope around the bull's neck is a leash, and will lead him over to Green Springs. I have a lot to meditate on between now and hunting season. There is a lot to consider even for this scouting trip.

[Relentlessly Unforgiving]

Do to recent intel from ours truly, local elknut's, I will be headed out in two weeks when I return from work. The area for me will be foreign country. I accept the challenge and look forward to it. This will be the first time I'll be able to scout with BOG since this is the first year that I live in a state that has obtainable OTC elk tags. I will be interested in seeing when others stop scouting the projected hunting grounds, how often they check trail cams, and what is the latest one will put a tree stand up.

[Screaming_btf]

I'll be heading out in June myself to check the areas I plan to hunt. I will be putting out my trail Cameras and then depending on the distance checking on them in 2-3 weeks or so and decide weather to leave them or move them to a new spot as it gets closer to hunting time. I set out my cameras earlier in places I don't know as well. I will be testing a new backpack and tent to see if I like them during that time probably loaded with a little more weight than I will be hunting with. I'll be scouring for new places in the day looking for sign, previous rutting activity, water, possible wallows. In the mornings, afternoons, and before sundown I will be in places I can use my spotting scope to see long distances and try and get an eye on animals. I pack in some water to a few areas and leave them in case I need or want water in a few places during the hunt or upcoming scouting times. I'll bring my maps and get to know the area while studying the maps so when I am at home thinking I can trigger my memory better of the area. In places I know I like and will be hunting I will clear the areas in some places of branches, rocks, bushes if they are in the way. I am going to test some different flavors for water that add vitamins and electrolytes to see if I can tell a difference with or without them for a time or 2...

[WapitiTalk1]

I plan to go on a scouting trip in mid July. I will check tree stand sites, cattle use of the area, hang some trail cameras, and tie up my 2014 bull near a good water hole. What I am wondering is; how much hay and salt should be left with the bull since I can't stick around and feed him daily. I am also wondering if I ask Stringunner to check on the bull, if he will think the rope around the bull's neck is a leash, and will lead him over to Green Springs. I have a lot to meditate on between now and hunting season. There is a lot to consider even for this scouting trip.

Weird, I thought you lived in your treestand year around? Oh well. You know, that Stringunner seems like a really good guy. I bet if you asked him to feed your bull throughout the summer and told him that you'd reciprocate by giving said bull a clearly written map to "his" stand area on opening morning, he may agree to work with you

[Swede]

what is the latest one will put a tree stand up.

Relentless, I am guessing you have been a Whitetail deer hunter. It is ok to put up a tree stand anytime during the season and you can hunt it as soon as it is safe to sit and stand there. If you find a good tree stand location during the season set your stand up and hunt it. I try to be as quiet as possible while hanging a stand, and have had deer, bear and elk come around while I am in the tree still rigging it.

[easeup]

I wonder if the Headin' West guys have a hang the tree stand for you service?

[Olydog09]

Fortunately I live 1-3 hours away from the places I hunt. I plan on spending as many weekends I can from now until the season starts doing weekend pack trips coupled with days spent on my Yamaha Tw-200 learning as much about the areas as I can. Where I hunt the max elevation is around 7000 feet above sea level so for the most part elk with be in the same general areas throughout the year. I am hoping to put in 15-30 days this year scouting before the season starts. I have 2 days so far but have been contained by the snow up to this point.

[stringunner]

I have already made one scouting trip in April. I am heading back up for three days in a week and a half. I have plans for a 3-4 day trip in June and again the end of July. I plan to work for swede while up there on these trips as a "range manager" for all the moo cows in our area, he promises to pay government wages! I guess now I will be hauling hay for his bull as well.

I have one game camera up now on a new water hole I found at the end of last year, figured if I was going to make the drive in April I had better put out at least one camera. At least that is how I "sold" the idea to my wife as my need to get up there.

[wawhitey]

I have a Crap load of cams out where I hunt in wa and in a week I'm going blind into northern idaho for a while. Just starting by scouting Google Earth then grabbing my gp's with the idaho land ownership chip and my tent/ backpack and I'm going for it
At the very least I'll be enjoying time in New country whether or not I get into some good action.

[BrentLaBere]

Hoping to make the 9 hour drive for a long weekend. Test gear, set out a camera this year (they have to be off before the season starts) and check rutting areas I found last year. Another thing would be if I could find the cows and calves in the same spots. Would make me really confident the elk would be in the same areas come September. Looking at late July dates.

[Trophyhill]

I'm waiting to see if I draw a tag at the end of the month. Then I'll start scouting on weekends in a draw unit or an OTC unit.

[JerryYong]

After last years busted season here in WA state, I plan on spending a week camping/scouting out new territory in Idaho the end of June and then a couple more 3 or 4 day trips during the summer. Will also be figuring out how to access the area I've elk hunted for the past 14 years here in WA that was completely blocked off with gates and dug up roads, apparently two years ago. Didn't hunt the past two years due to multiple surgeries and doctor's orders and didn't scout my area out before the opener last year since I knew it like the back of my hand already. Extremely disappointed and caught off guard without a backup plan when I discovered my area was inaccessable by vehicle to my elk camp last year - the day before the season opened! Note to self: Scout your area before the season starts and have a backup plan (or three) in case things have changed!

[wawhitey]

So over next couple days I'm going to be hanging the rest of my cams and dialing in my new scope. Soon as I get that done it's idaho blind scouting time. If anybody has any unit 1 whitetail wolf or elk Intel to drop now is the time. I can talk ne wa in return. Not that I mind blind scouting but worth a try I guess

[ferris bugler]

I live close to where I hunt. Elk scouting for me is a goal of finding a new spot each year that may pay off. So much changes from the summer to when the season opens so I hate to put all my eggs in one basket. I just go backpacking and check out new spots. If they look good I'll hunt them. I've had good and bad luck as sometimes I go in and an outfitter and ten other groups of hunters are there. Sometimes it seems like no one has ever been there.

[WapitiTalk1]

Anyone else firmed up some scouting trips to their elk hunt destination?

[Texasdan]

It's a solid 24 hr drive to scout...may have to stick to the cyber scout

[ElkNut1]

You bet Rory! I'm looking forward to July & Aug. this is when the woods open up free of snow here! I need to get to a few places & do some serious pruning with a chainsaw to open up a couple avenues of approach & shooting lanes in precise spots where I know bulls slip into after calling them! Should be a great year!

ElkNut1

[husky390]

I'll be starting the last weekend of June. Most of my gear has been tested and I'll test the rest on a 4th of July backpacking trip. From here on out, it will be me and the dog on day trips and some day drives/hikes with my wife (shhhh, she doesn't know we're scouting, we're hiking )

[xXlojackXx]

I went last weekend and going again this weekend. Saw 3 nice bucks growing and about 65 elk. All cows, spikes, and calves. I didn't drop into where the bulls call home but was happy to see almost all the cows had calves. The bulls sure did their jobs last September.

[NoWiser]

With a 23+ hour drive to my unit, a scouting trip is pretty much out of the question. I plan on arriving early enough before my hunt to get 4 full days of scouting in before the season opener. Hopefully that will do the trick!

[nrocchio]

I usually hunt around Gunnison CO, but since I live in Denver now I am planning on hunting OTC areas up north this year. I am heading out on a backpacking trip this month to scout a few areas I liked on my maps. This first trip, I am mostly going to get more familiar with the area (I've never been there before) , and see if the spots I liked on the map are as promising in person. I will also be marking my maps and setting way points with any game trails/ watering holes, or old rubs etc. I will keep camping, backpacking and glassing that area this summer if it looks good. My goal is to make my self as familiar with the area as possible by September, and show up with a plan for where to set up camp, and which areas I want to hit first.

If the initial area doesn't pan out I'll make a backpacking trip to plan B and start over.

I don't own any cameras, and have more pressing items on the hunting shopping list this year. I may be able to add that to my pre-season scouting next year.

[Olydog09]

Scouting trip #2 is in the books. I found a nice pair of sheds on the first trip and I got a great look at a new area last weekend. We made up a route ahead of time using Cal topo and then dumped it into the Garmin. Once out there I marked as many spots as possible with notes. Then once back I put them back on the map using Caltopo again. This helps to get a great overview of the area. Each trip is a building block. I will be back out probably next weekend to the same spot to do some more recon.

[Waygoner]

Made my 1st trip out last weekend. Explored a new FS road and found some elk and lots of sign. One bull was already a 4x4. It's only a 30 minute drive so I'll be spending a bunch of time in the unit. Big country with many options, need to narrow it down for an opening day plan.

[twinkieman]

I may make the trip to Boise for the elk calling class, and then venture into my hunt area for a couple of days of recon. If I am not able to do this trip, scouting will have to wait until actual hunt time.

[Elkduds]

Headin' down to South Park to meet some friends of mine...for scouting. Deep snow remaining high up in the Mosquito Range, June 15, 2014. Those are GMUs 49 and 500, looking west toward Fairplay, CO. Scouted a new-to-me area, with a local that hunts there annually. Spotted 2 deer and some fresh elk sign during a midday hike. I'll scout there again, then hunt it OTC in Sept. Glassing from the shade of a ponderosa, cool breeze nudging a few puffy clouds across the brilliant blue sky. It felt like paradise, can't wait to scout the next ridge before archery season. Easy to get excited about such a quality spot!

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[Lefty]

I spent some time in a new area. Headed out Tuesday night. checked a few water sources, Spoke with a ranch hand, Had some elk within 200 yards of my tent .
Found a relatively flat place to put a tent, on a dead-end two-track void of cactus, bunch grass, some sort of stickers and cow crap. Came home Thursday
I wont make another trip until the cows are gone. Maybe the 2nd week in july

While not where I plan to hunt, my wife and I went fishing/camping Friday and Saturday , the "beach" had a lot of cow calf tracks ,.. oh, no fish

A week ago we pulled bear baits,.. elk sign everywhere, Saw three cows, I suspect they had calves none of them ran,.. sometimes I wonder why I dont elk hunt there,.. shorter drive, But too many people

[elk.addict]

I've been out quite a bit already. 3 weeks ago I set up my first trail camera. There was still a few feet of snow, but I put my camera in plot mode. It will take 1 picture every day at 7:30 am. The idea is to create a time lapse slide to watch the snow melt and then to see the green grass pop up. Just something I wanted to do

Anyway, yes I have will put up all my cameras soon. And my scouting method is this: if possible in the area, climb to the ridges above and glass. I like to keep an eye on several drainages to see how many elk, how big, where they're going, etc. Then I usually try to check each trail camera every couple of weeks or so. Maybe once a week as the season draws near.

Most of what I hunt is Wilderness, but like Olydog, I like to utilize my trail bike. There's a mountain range I am planning on scouting this year that has motorized trail access, I still would have to hike a fair distance but I think it would be easier than most of my wilderness hunts. I am already somewhat familiar with the area but want to take a closer look at it this year and put up more cameras.