Scouting new areas

[jmorr]

I'm new to the region I live in, and new to elk hunting (1 season under the belt). I plan on picking an area I have heard good things about from people I trust, and learning the unit well over the next few years. When scouting on google earth, what should I look for? How would you scout the area in the summer, just go hiking? How long is your typical camping/scouting trip? How much do their patterns change from summer to September? Thanks

[Swede]

Scouting priorities depend a lot on what you are looking for. I know everyone wants to shoot an elk and most would like a big bull. But are you just looking for places where elk hang out in September, or a location to set a tree stand? Are you planning on calling, or spot and stalk or do you want to ambush an elk? These things are important.
Lets say you want to go hiking and calling in the morning, and will take it easy in the afternoon and evening and try to ambush one of the critters.
I would start with a good contour map checking streams, [url]springs[/url], ridges, benches, funnels or saddles, then roads and trails. Next go to G.E. and check the habitat in the area. I would look for bedding areas, plus open meadows or hillsides. Don't get hung up on thinking one topographical aspect is better than another. I would try to determine how to access different points of interest, considering the diurnal and prevailing winds. Maybe you will see some good elk trails on G.E. I would put some of them where they intersect on my GPS as waypoints to look at later, and mark them and the other features I was interested in and get them on my map.
Scouting on G.E. and a contour map is just your first or second screen in a process that will lead you to a more refined plan. My first screen would probably be checking the State stats for a unit I was interested in. If I knew someone I would call and ask questions about the area and see if they would provide some tips on where to hunt. Tell the person about your hunting preferences and limitations.
Later stop by the local Forest Service and/or game commission offices and talk to some people that know the area and the elk habits. After talking to several people you will likely find some common points being recommended or you will find someone that seems very credible.
We can talk about field scouting, but that is probably better left to another thread. That is where you really develop a quality plan. I know some of you don't have this opportunity and must scout and hunt at the same time. For you talking to locals may be the next best thing.

[Lefty]

Consider What is the best unit for you to hunt? Its going to be the one you can spend a lot of time in and learn the area! While I would like to think Im pretty good with maps, that a start.
Maps and GE dont always show what you may need to know.
I like to hunt around as few of people as possible. And still has elk. I like to hunt an hour or two further in than others So I look for elevation changes and distance from road in elk country.
I have a sweet spot that a bull and his girls hide in every year. 200 yards from a highway, 800 feet gain and steep on one side and a forest service road on another. May someday Ill hunt it.

GE scout than wear the boot leather