Elk Scouting Tips... New or Previously Hunted Areas.

[WapitiTalk1]

I see a lot of discussion on various forums about the best way to go about elk scouting to maximize our opportunities come hunting season. Let's get the premier thread going on tips and tricks to most effectively scout for the upcoming season (whether it be stick and string, smoke pole, boom stick, or hatchet jack). Some of the methodology bleeds into each type of scouting (new area or previously hunted) but for the most part, they are a bit to a lot different... Please start your post with "new or previously hunted area" and offer a tip/trick that has worked for you in the past to help you when you finally step foot in the elk woods. RJ

[Swede]

For a new area this year I got WapitiTalk1 and Lamrith to show me around. Having someone familiar with the area is always a huge benefit. Before I showed up in camp I had reviewed the area a lot on G.E. and AcmeMapper 2.
When I scout on my own, I start with Google Earth and Acme Mapper 2 also. Then, depending on where and how the hunt will take place; I go out to check over saddles, benches, potential bedding areas and springs. I am seeking to find places of concentrated elk use. Where I will be hunting with RJ and Larry in Idaho, they showed me several small areas where multiple trails come together. Some places had a wallow and one had a natural mineral lick. Each of these locations showed significant potential due to repeated elk use. All were near bedding areas and one was in a saddle. Saddles are used a lot by big game as they are easy places to pass over ridges.
When I scout areas I am familiar with, the first places checked are areas used in the past. I want to see what areas are getting the most use. Game cameras can help a hunter see what is coming around and when. That information can be valuable in helping to decide on where to start the hunt. Spots can be checked early in the Summer, but review them just prior to the hunt. In addition I am always looking to expand my area. That expansion is the same as scouting a new area. The benefit is that I have good fall back location to hunt.

[Lefty]

I believe nothing beats hiking/scouting the daylights out of an area. Last year my go-to area had sheep in it at the end of August,.. thats not on google.
Illegal trails and driving in closed areas are one of my pet-peeves. Sometimes you can gain an idea if vehicles drive where they shouldn't .
Maps and google I like dark timber and steep and no roads nearby.
Im like many others. I dont care for grizzle meetings. Some areas are avoided because of them.
Trail cams can be handy: I didnt realize where I hunted the desert most of the elk were bulls the first week, then the cows moved in. Another thing I discovers with trail cams elk were moving in the open mid day
The area I hunt now the bulls drop down lower to be near the cows after the first week

[Swede]

You can check by hunting pressure by going out and doing pre season scouting. This may at first seem difficult, but it is basic. Areas with significant hunting pressure, have camps showing signs of activity, meat poles, garbage and everything from tree stands to last year's fire rings. You can be assured there will be bow hunters around in September if the season is conducive to archery hunting.

[Elkhunttoo]

Don't be afraid to hunt the obvious patch of timber!

My first year archery hunting I scouted an area I could get the car to. (First patch of trees on the hill) there was campers set up below that timber patch almost all season. They would wake up and ride there atv's and drive there pickups to the top of the mountain. I hunted that same patch of timber for 3 years and had days where it seemed like there were elk on every point. Only reason I don't hunt that same area anymore is because I moved.... the last time I was there I ran into the first hunter I had ever seen in that area..he told me it had became his favorite spot, he said he always saw game and I was the first hunter he had seen.