What terrain and why?

[Thunderfoot]

Just curious what kind of terrain you guys all hunt and why. Where I hunt in CO the terrain varies greatly from thick oak brush at 8500' up to steep dark timber at 11000', with rolling aspen hillsides in between. During September I have found elk in all three of these general areas. Generally I like to hunt in the Aspens, but the last couple of years I have spent more time in the dark timber. Elk encounters have been about the same in both areas. Generally I will see more elk in the aspens due to the more openness, but I seem to be able to get closer to the elk in the dark timber. Just wondering where you guys like to hunt and why.

[foxvalley]

Hey thunderfoot,

I don't have much choice where I am, it's mostly all dark timber,thick tangles,and steep slopes.The one big advantage that I have is the elk seem to be useing the same draws for breeding, feeding every year. I am into elk every day,and hunting the same erea for almost a decade now,has given me lots and lots of choices,as I jump from one hotspot to the next.

[elk.addict]

I like hunting the high basins/drainages. Yes I can find easier elk down lower and sometimes bigger/more bulls too. But my reasons are.....
- I don't have any competition.
- I don't like brush.
- Even when the elk aren't talking, I can always setup above timberline and glass for them.
- I just like the high country

[Lefty]

I hunt Idahos desert: Grasslands and sage
1. I really don't like hunting around others, I like areas more to my self, remoteness, and few elk become part of situation
2. I have always liked open country.
3. Side-hilling was really hurting my hip before my hip-replacement. I could cover 20 miles of flat ground in a hunt but couldn't side hill 200 yards
and I dont sleep as well in grizzly country

[ishy]

Where ever the elk are...hunted most of it desert to alder jungle and everything between.

[twinkieman]

From dark timber to right at treeline, where it breaks into high alpine country, is where I spend most of my time. Anywhere I can find elk, and fewer hunters. I prefer the high stuff, I have always liked the high country. Timber is mostly deep holes, where elk seem to be. I will hunt anywhere I find elk

[Heartwood]

Idaho high country prefered. Otherwise, wherever the Elk are, somtimes closer to roads.