Elks schedule

[BGbowhunters]

I know his might be a stupid question to some of you. But where are elk different parts of the day. I read elknuts playbook (loved it), but it really doesn't tell you where elk are at different parts of the day. What time are they bedded, what time are they feeding, what time are they walking around, and what time do elk go to wallows? Thanks for any help

[Swede]

Those are not stupid questions. Lets start off with elk are feeding or bedded 90% of the time. It takes 2-3 hours to normally fill their paunch. At night they bed in their feeding area. Elk start feeding again in the early morning. After the sun is up they head off to bed normally around 9 AM-10 AM. I have seen them on the move at all times of the day. They usually go up on the mountain side and bed on a bench. Often that is about 2/3 of the way up. There is no rule that restricts them to this situation. They can bed in a field in the daylight too. They usually stay in their bedding area until near sun set. They may get up and go to water, or to just reposition themselves out of the direct sun. Again no hard and fast rule. I have seen them out feeding at 2 PM when the temperatures are in the 80s. Elk can wallow any time of day, but the most common time I have observed is in the evening. In the fairly early morning is the second most common time.

[Trophyhill]

Great question BGbowhunters! Once we learn what elk are doing, when, where, why elk are doing what they're doing, we start putting the elk puzzle together and this helps us to read encounters correctly. And this increases our odds of punching a tag!

[easeup]

well said....these are all basic things you consider when you determine where you might hunt everyday. And by the way....this can be at times the most difficult part of getting your elk as you have to find them before you can shoot one.

[Gselkhunter]

There are many things I take into consideration on how and where I hunt. I think number 1 is temp. Elk have already started building fat caps and shedding out summer hair at the start of archery season. So comfort is huge. So are bugs. The 2/3 the way up the hill is for comfort control. It is a good place for good canape cover and air flow to keep cool and wort off bugs. It also sets the herd up with great escape routes. Add in close water[an elks idea of close could be a couple miles] and feed and you looking at a place I will keep an eye on. A cool to cold day allows elk more time up in mornings and evenings to do their business in comfort. If it gets warm enough they may go nocturnal to stay comfortable. Then this may add a afternoon water break and a cooling dip in a wallow/stream.
Number 2 would be daily thermals. If you can time it right you have a better chance of having air movement in your favor.
Number 3 should be higher on the list but 1 & 2 influence it and that would be knowing the area and how the elk use it. The reason I put it down here is many guys don't have this luxury for a multitude of reasons. Knowing how and where elk rut is crucial to how I attack an area and when.
The last one I will add is the moon cycle. I change up when and where I plan to be there because of the full moon. That extra light in the evening allow elk freedom to play in the cool temps and does change the timing of an elks day a little.

[ElkNut1]

Brendan, you read the book too fast! (grin) You need to go back over it & take your time, every question you asked is talked about in the PlayBook, they're not all on one page but throughout the Book! Swede gave the same info you will find in it. Glad you asked the question though as many others may have questions on the subject as well that do not have the Book!

ElkNut1

[Infamous]

I am glad he asked this question! I learned a lot from the experienced replies.