Early morning feeding

[goblue]

For about the last ten years where I hunt. I see elk crossing in the same direction in the same spot on several occasion. But I never have hunted or even scouted this area. I see the elk usually about ten minutes after light in the morning. My question is are the elk going for water, food or heading for their bedding area. Or are they coming from their bedding area or feeding, watering area.

[SoCo Mark]

I'll be interested to hear the answers to this. I've found the same thing. They cross at about 10500' and maintain that elevation. IT is at the elevation that trees start to get sparse. Sometimes they feed in the semi open but most times they move through right after you can see. I believe they head DOWN to a timbered plateau. I've spent only a little bit of time on that plateau as I've always heard to stay out of the bedding areas. That really is about the only place they can go, though.

[cohunter14]

More than likely they are heading back to their bedding area. Either way, it sounds like it's about time you put some boots on the ground in that place, both in scouting and in hunting. Scouting will tell you where they are going for sure, but seeing as you already patterned them, hunting the area shouldn't be too difficult.

[ElkNut1]

Yes, those elk are heading to their daytime bedding areas. On the way though it's likely they will nibble/browse here & there as well as water or wallow on their route to it. It's common for elk to bed 1/2 mile to 3miles+ away from a feeding area, a lot depends on the area where suitable feeding & bedding are. Sitting on one of their trails in an ambush attempt can be tricky, elk generally travel into the wind en-route so pick your spot carefully where the wind is in your favor, it can be a fine line to find such a spot. When setup in such an area awaiting them there's no urgent need to do any calling just let the elk do their own thing since you are sitting a destination spot.

ElkNut1

[>>>---WW---->]

I agree with Elknut but will add a little more. That early in the morning, they are probably slowly making their way to the bedding area but they are in no hurry and may just be milling around as the go. However, I have noticed during hot weather as soon as the sun pops over the horizon, they are out of there and headed for the shade of the timber.

[BrentLaBere]

I agree with Elknut but will add a little more. That early in the morning, they are probably slowly making their way to the bedding area but they are in no hurry and may just be milling around as the go. However, I have noticed during hot weather as soon as the sun pops over the horizon, they are out of there and headed for the shade of the timber.

Maybe its because I have hunted the earlier part of the bow season, but I have noticed when the sun light is coming over the ridge and about to hit the elk its like clock work how they dive into the timber for cover and then travel to bedding areas. It can be a matter of 20 yards to 100 yards just to get out of the light but its something I have noticed anyway......for what its worth.
Maybe its for the shade of the timber like WW posted.

[Swede]

Brent, I don't think your assessment is entirely correct. Elk like to bed where it is cool and there is a good breeze, but many times I have seen elk out in open during the day, even when the temperatures are high. Pasturing in a field on a ranch is common. I believe the behavior described is a matter of security, especially that early in the morning.
Anyone that can reasonably predict where the elk are going to be, at a certain time, and you know the general direction of travel, should be able to plan an effective ambush. I would scout the trails ahead of time, and look for a well used wallow/waterhole and locate a tree stand site. If you have consistent winds and good cover, then you can just wait in a concealed spot.

[SoCo Mark]

Thanks all, I really appreciate all the help. Now, let me get a little more specific.
Up until last year I hunted with a rifle only. I've killed 4 elk in 5 years, all within a half mile of each other, and 2 within 150 yards. I found a spot along that route that elk continuously cross, at least in the morning. It is above the timber, so I've kept from hunting with my bow up there. That might be the biggest mistake of all. But in my thinking, the elk can cross anywhere within 800 yards or so, all of it mostly in the open. I just figured it to be risky to sit out in the pretty much wide open hoping that on that day, they choose to cross within 40 yards. Does this make any sense?? The more I type this, the more of a revelation I'm having.
I'm sure there is a Yogi Berra saying in this somewhere- something like- "If only I could find a place where the elk are, one like the place where I shoot my elk with my rifle."

I guess what I'm saying is, hunting them in the open, is it and can it be productive?
Wow I have a lot to learn.
Thanks again.