Hunting Different Terrain and Areas

[MidMoElkNut]

I'm new to the forum and this fall will be my third year elk hunting and im needing some advise and would like to know how others would hunt the area that I currently hunt......To start off I am hunting Diy Otc either sex archery in Colorado from the first of September for at least a week if not two weeks it will just depend on how it goes and I will be hunting by myself mostly.... the area I hunt is mostly wooded there are a few open fields down in the valleys but that is about it besides some small clearings here and there.... my question is what is the best way to hunt the area or how would u hunt it? Would you hunt the valleys or up on the mountain, over wallow, water holes, bedding areas, trails, or would u walk around to try and find elk, still hunt on the ground or in a treestand? Basically how do or would you hunt an all wooded area? And advise and help is greatly appreciated.... thanks in advance....

[Lefty]

Not being a smart one,.. find where the elk are and hunt them
Im sure you have heard "Elk are where you find them" I live in SE Idaho, we have elk living on the edge of city limits because there is every thing the elk need. Ive seen elk in the lower valleys during the season.
You get to decide where and how you want tot hunt
I would spend my time hiking around up and down until I found elk, then decide how I would hunt them; or what methods fit your desire
Hunt where thee are elk

[Swede]

I don't think there is a right or wrong way to hunt elk as far as calling vs. tree stand vs. spot and stalk goes. However you choose you need to know what you are doing. Knowing your area and how to effectively hunt elk is the key to success. I think spot and stalk hunting in theory is the easiest way to hunt elk, but in practice is the toughest in many places.

[MidMoElkNut]

It seemed, like we seen more elk in 2012 when we was walking around all day vs last year when we hunted more in the morning and evenings trying to catch them going to feed or to bed but last year it literally rained everyday so that wasn't the easiest either. ... But when I did walk around I found a lot of bedding areas Close to wallows would either of those place be a good spot to set up a tree stand or blind?

[ElkNut1]

I would incorporate "all the above" you mentioned! I would not approach your area with one thing in mind & stick to that only! You never know what you may come across at the time of your hunt, keep an open mind & adapt to the circumstances to that day & time period. For instance, you go there to sit a wallow or water hole & find there's no evidence of recent use, are you going to be stubborn & sit there for 4-5 days anyway? I think not, instead you will move on in hopes of finding where they are or active wallows/water holes! By the same token if I were running & gunning & came across a wallow or water hole that had stench like a barnyard with fresh tracks everywhere I'd take serious note to it & make a plan to hunt that spot! I'd consider the time a day I was there & is it a place that is near the feeding area or bedding area? This will dictate the time I'd sit it, when in doubt make your stand that last 2-1/2 hours before dark & stay till last shooting light, at worst set a trail camera on it & find out their times of use!

Locate aprox bedding areas, if calling on the elks part is minimal then stay out of bedding area & hunt fringes of it apox 150yd to 200yds away & try to pull them away from it with selective calling techniques! A light breeding sequence or lost calf sound, advertising bugles can work wonders if interested in "any elk" -- Whatever you do stay diligent & keep a positive attitude & rely on your calls to make things happen, this doesn't mean overuse of them but don't think if elk aren't talking then you shouldn't either, quite the contrary, play on an elks curiosity, sounds such as the estrus buzz & regathering cow sounds can kick butt during those quiet times & bring elk your way, we rely on things like this every year in heavily hunted units. Be willing to adjust & adapt your thoughts as the need arises!

ElkNut1

[MidMoElkNut]

Thanks everyone for the advise I really appreciate it and any advice or tips and tricks are welcome!!!!!