How much will CO elk migrate/move during hunting season?

[valvedout]

If we found elk in the dark timber during the 2nd rifle season, would they have been there during archery season? This is in CO in the in the southern half of the state. I am wondering how much if any elk move around, do they follow some big migration? Thanks

[saddlesore]

There is a difference between moving because of hunting pressure and migration. Migration,they might move 50-100 miles. From hunting pressure it can be as little as a 1/2 mile o as much as ten miles It really depends on how bad they are spooked and how safe they feel when they stop.

North of Gunnison they move down to some private land hay fields and stay there all four rifle seasons. Some only have to go a few hundred yards, some have to travel 4-5 miles over 1-2 drainages, I have seen 300400 head there,but local CPW guys say they at times have had about 800 head. There is really no exact answer to the question. Once you put hard and fast rlles to elk hunting, you will be proven wrong.

The annual migration can occur as early as the3rd season or later. When the lk cannot get to forage, they will start to move whenever that is.