Scouting before hunt

[MidwestHunter]

I am planning a Montana hunt (my first elk hunt). I have some information from a friend that went there last year, so I have some knowledge, but was planning on getting there 5 days before rifle season opens up to check the terrain, spot and locate elk herds, set up elk camp, etc. Is this a bad idea right before the season comes in to be walking around? Just don't want to push them out of the country before the season even starts.

What are your thoughts?

[Indian Summer]

I think it's an excellent idea.

I have to admit that the last time I hunted Wyoming it cost me though. I spooked not 1 but 3 six point bulls out of what was to be my starting point. They never did come back. There was nothing we could do to prevent it. One bull bugled his way toward us while we were glassing and eventually came to within 20 feet of our horses and then he bolted in a flash.

But hands on real time scouting is priceless. If I had one piece of advice I would say don't cover a lot of ground real early or late. Don't try to hard to actually look for elk or find sign either. Instead just hike main trails or ridge tops. Get to know the lay of the land by glassing and just look at sign that crosses your path instead of digging deep to see where they might be bedded. First and last thing each day just find the best vantage point you can and sit and glass. Low key is the key but those days could be very valuable.

[ElkNut1]

Absolutely scout it! 5 days is a bit much for me- 2 full days will generally tell me all I need to know. I'd start with topos of the areas of consideration at home then get to glassing areas, no traipsing aimlessly through the woods! Get to look out areas & glass, glass, glass. The more secluded the better from most hunters or you'll have company opening morning. By all means have a bull tied to a tree! (grin)

ElkNut1

[Indian Summer]

Absolutely Paul. What can be better than watching a bull come out to feed just before dark the night before you start hunting!

[Lefty]

Like mentioned just be quiet in the woods,.. hike, dont drive. Sit and spot where possible.
Ill somewhat disagree with Paul. The more days scouting the better, but let glasses do the walking. Spread out and look at the next drainage or a few more canyons over

[Indian Summer]

One thing is for sure... getting some exercise in the days prior to hunting is a great way to get acclimated to the elevation. Get over that hump in the road before you even start hunting and you should be ready to rock and roll on opening day.

I'd scout for 5 days if I could. Unless it meant less actual hunting days. If my time was limited I'd cut back a hair on the scouting and hunt more.

[elkstalker]

I agree with Paul and Joe, get at least a couple days in before the hunt. Where I hunted last year, the deer season opened a week before the elk season, so I did a combination deer hunt and scouting for elk for 4 days prior to my elk hunt. 4 days was a bit long, but I was able to pinpoint a couple herds and got my elk the second day of the season. Like the guys said, try to stay out of the bedding grounds, and glass, glass, glass especially at first light and dusk. A few years ago I arrived early, packed in spike camp, and decided to go for a hike to scout. I was busted near a bedding area by a 6 point bull not a half mile from my camp, definitely learned my lesson there...