early season feeding areas

[timberland]

Where I hunt there is obvious feeding at night in the ranchers fields, but as these elk get more nocturnal or bumped out of there, is there areas I should spend some time looking at that are less obvious. There are small (less than 3 acres) aspen groves scattered about the mountains and we've seen barked trees but never had any encounters there.

[Indian Summer]

That's a tough question Timberland and no doubt it will be an area specific answer. During early season elk aren't herded up. Instead they are scattered and with the upcoming rut they really aren't interested in rubbing elbows with other herds. Those barked aspens aren't a main food source. Instead the browse that's everywhere in openings, along water sources, and really all around inside the timber together makes up a massive amount of feed. If you can find elk it's likely that early on you can pattern them. There's some really good stuff on that subject in Swede's book Treestand Hunting Rocky Mountain Elk.

You've heard the saying elk are where you find them. Same goes for feed. My answer to your question would be to pay close attention to the sign and follow it to the elk and see what they are feeding on. If it's like you said that pressure is what caused them to relocate then there's a good chance location, as in security cover or rough terrain will be the key to locating elk as opposed to what they are feeding on. In early season feed is everywhere so the pressure is the main factor in your equation.

[Swede]

If the elk are in the rancher's field at night and bedding on public land during the day, try to find where they leave the ranch and where they go. They may have several trails in and out. If there is any pattern, I would plan to tree stand them as close in as possible and where the main trail starts to branch. Rub, tracks, droppings will be your indicators. Sometimes a nearby wallow and water hole can be a good elk magnet.

[Jaquomo]

If you're in CO, they love to feed in aspen transition enroute to thick bedding timber. There will also be certain secluded meadows they'll prefer. One spot I know is inside a big aspen grove. Something about that spot is a magnet. They'll get out of th open hay meadow very early, climb a ridge to feed around in that spot for an hour or so, then travel another half mile back in the opposite direction to bed.

Other places I know, they like to graze around in fairly thick aspens not too far from the bedding timber. But either way, the key is to figure out where they're bedding (without disturbing it!!!) and work backward from there.

Like Indian Summer said, it's really an area-specific question.

[Lefty]

My area is so much different. Many places the elk will travel 10-15 miles for irrigated fields and water
The nearest ranchers answer showed on my trail cam. There is an early season(August) depredation hunt in the region. The elk don't hit the fields until 12"00-2:00 AM and are well away from the fields well before fist light.
The elk will bed in the nearest rough country where they aren't bothered 5, 10 15 miles away

[zpd307]

My area is so much different. Many places the elk will travel 10-15 miles for irrigated fields and water
The nearest ranchers answer showed on my trail cam. There is an early season(August) depredation hunt in the region. The elk don't hit the fields until 12"00-2:00 AM and are well away from the fields well before fist light.
The elk will bed in the nearest rough country where they aren't bothered 5, 10 15 miles away

lefty, that's interesting to hear. there are also early season depredation hunt where we are going. we will be in the Lemhi zone.