Picking your number 1

[Elkhunttoo]

Four years ago I changed hunting areas from hunting where I grew up and had always hunted (4 hours to elk camp) to hunt closer to where I live now so I could get more hunting in (1.5 hours to elk camp). The first 2 years I mainly focused on one canyon. Then I found another canyon I liked and hunted it half and half. Both areas are good but I had yet to find "the place" . I drew on a rifle tag in the same unit this year and started to expand, my hunting consisted of mainly afternoon hunts because of work so I just started picking areas and going and I learned a ton of new area...

Which brings me to my question, how do you guys pick your number one area? I feel like right now I have eight areas I can go to and have a chance, yet I know I'm going to second guess every time I go out what canyon to hunt.

[Elkhunttoo]

I put this in the wrong spot if one of the mod's could mov it for me that would be great... thanks

[Swede]

I have moved some as things change and as I gain knowledge of new areas. I need to make the big jump this year. There is a difference in going from a known area to one you have scouted, but the time has come for me.

[Heartwood]

Our crew has dozens of spots within a unit that we hunt. Some spots can even be glassed while hunting adjacent areas or locations. Its pretty simple for us, we favor the spots where we find elk frequently and with the least pressure from other hunters. When scouting new spots, we look for locations with lots of sign of rutting activity (rubs). The bigger the rubs the better. Rubs are the only record that shows where elk have been rutting in past years. When we start seeing big rubs from multiple years we take note. Topography is also a good indicator of a potentially good spot. Herd bulls like spots for breeding that are defendable like benches saddles and ridge tops on otherwise steep ground. Each year we pick up a few more little spots that we can check for elk. Its really not hard to tell if elk have been using an area, they tear it up pretty good and leave tracks and scat that can be aged with a little experience. If I have to start talking myself into believing that the sign is fresh then I know to move on because it is old sign. We are careful not to bump elk out of a given spot but if things go south we often know where the herd will relocate to. Just a few thoughts on what we look for in potential spots. Sometimes we are alerted to a good spot by the elk party that is taking place when there is a hot cow in the herd. I really don't rank the spots but go by gut feeling on a given day as to where to go. Am I looking for an easy spot for a morning or evening hunt? Or am I looking for a spot for an all day trek or multiple day bivy? Other factors are, where are other members of our crew and where is the least pressure. If I see a hunters rig at the trailhead or parking spot, I move on to another spot.

[N2mywake]

we are loosing access to the drop camp we normally use and consider our #1 choice, moving to a new location in the same area this year. I will miss being in my familiar surroundings but it should sharpen our hunting skills to have to learn the patterns in a new area.

[saddlesore]

One thing to remember, that good spot or #1 spot may be only good for a few years. A lot of factors play into it. One always has to be ready to find something new.

Just like wallows.I don't pay much attention to rubs.When I hunt the elk they are in another local. During the rut, the cows decided where the breeding grounds are.The bulls follow along. Once a bull gathers up a harem, he may keep them together, but that old lead cow will decide where and when to go just as she does when calving starts