Finding elk in mid October.

[Sneaky]

Where would you look?

I've heard Paul say North facing slopes are great because they're cooler. Does that change come mid October when the temps have dropped and the snow may or may not be falling? Will they prefer South facing slopes, then? What does the cooler weather do to their feeding and bedding habits? Will a scouting trip in August tell me anything about where they'll be in October?

I have a hunt planned for the San Juan Forest in CO for the second rifle season this year. It's a hunt I've done before, so I have an idea, but this will be in a new area to me, and this will be my first time leading the expedition. Several people are counting on me to put them on elk, and I'd like to not disappoint them. I've been studying maps to refine my attack plan. The more I know about their behavior that time of year, the better I can do this. I've been watching and reading most of Paul's material, which seems more geared towards the rut in September. I figured this would be the place to learn about any difference between the rut and post rut behaviors of elk. I appreciate any info.

[Swede]

ISneaky: I don't think there is a cut and dried answer to your question.

Mid October is not like late August thru September. As you noted the temperatures have fallen and there may be snow by then. The elk are not looking for spots with colder temperatures usually.
The elk have been hunted for over a month, so they may very well be pushed back away from roads and ridges. That means they may very well be in some of the worst places they can go. Where I hunt that would include nasty canyons at the least.
My advise would be to scout and start looking for fresh sign. Hike back away from the open roads. Most hunters like to walk the ridges where the hiking is easier. I have found areas where there is no sign for a long way in toward my hunting area. Then all of a sudden there is sign everywhere. That sign may start well back from an open road. If you can give yourself a coupe or three days before your hunt, that should help a lot. Tell your friends that you could not put the elk in a closet when you were in the area the last time, and together you will need to look for them. Good Luck. Let us know how you do.

[Sneaky]

Thank you.

I know you're right about the elk being pressured and in out of the way places. I'm prepared for that.

The guys aren't pressuring me at all, but I've pressured myself a bit, knowing that they're depending a lot on me to head them in the right direction. I'm probably the only one with unrealistic expectations.

I'll be sure and report our success or lack of. I intend to stick around this forum. This is my second go round with the elk fever. Work kept me from it the last few years, and I'm anxious to get back to chasing elk. There's nothing else I'd rather do.

[Indian Summer]

You really are sneaky aren't you! Post #1 and didn't even introduce yourself.

You're not going to like my answer: I'd like to ask what elevation you plan to hunt but......

That time of year is post rut. Bulls are tired and reclusive. Even if there's snow then it's likely there's not enough to force bulls to pick their location according to that factor. It's 2nd season so the biggest factor influencing their location will be people. They will live in less than optimum conditions choosing survival over prime feed. Instead of being anywhere near large sources of food they will be somewhere with just enough to support their needs. A very small and secluded meadow or the high head of a creek where grass was thick and green early in the year and is still high in nutrients even though there's not a lot.

This is also the time of year where I see bulls form bachelor groups. That means instead of having 8 needles in the haystack... there's only one. If you are hunting with a partner it could be all or nothing and you could come up empty... or punch two tags at the same time. I've seen 6 to 8 bulls hanging together at that time of year. This is a time when experience can really pay off. If you have seen a place with a bachelor group in past season it's a priceless piece of the puzzle. One characteristic of a staging area I have found is a smaller inconspicuous finger ridge that has a flat spot where it has otherwise been steadily dropping down off of the main ridge. If that little bench is somewhat open there will be some feed on it. There will be some sunlight for the times when the temp really drops and the bench will give them a vantage point so danger from below is spotted early and they can vanish before a hunter even knew they were there. If there's a water source around the corner all the better.

I'd pray for a little snow so I could glass a lot of country from a vantage point. Also I'd plan on putting down some boot tracks to sift the haystack until I finally found their little hidey hole which, when you get there, will be pretty obvious. They will be spooky and relocate at the drop of a hat so make sure you are using your binoculars and leading with your eyes.

Hope that helps. That's probably the toughest time of year... at least where I hunt. Of course any feedback you get on here is given from experience in a certain location and that can vary for sure based on where you hunt and the amount of pressure.

The fact that you're feeling some self inflicted pressure shows that you are a great friend & ring leader and they should be thankful to be hunting with you. Good luck and welcome aboard man!

[Sneaky]

That helps a lot, actually, and coincides perfectly with what I've seen in a couple of previous trips. The "survival over prime feed" part especially hit home. I've been trying to make sense of where we've found elk before based on what their habits should be, and I've been coming up empty. Now it's all coming together for me on this particular area. I was second guessing myself as to the spots I had picked out on the map, but now I think I've been on the right track, after all. I really appreciate it.

And I apologize for not introducing myself. I'm in full on elk chasing mode right now. No time for pleasantries, just elk.

[Swede]

By the way, welcome to camp Sneaky. I.S. was right. You are sneaky. I did not notice the number of your posts, but it is good to have you in camp. I look forward to conversing with you here. As usual, Indian Summer is right on with his recommendations and comments.

[Sneaky]

Thank you. Y'all have been very helpful to a newcomer. It's much appreciated.