The importance of elevation?

[mjblowers]

For the purposes of drive time, time off from work, funds, etc., I hunt in an area that is right in the 6,000-7,000 range. I feel like, especially here in Idaho, it's too hot for it to be a "killer" hunting spot. How many of you make elevation a priority, IE: You don't make camp and/or look for places to hunt unless it's 8,9,10k+ etc? In these lower elevation spots, what should I be looking for when wallows are scarce, if available at all?

I did a quick search to see if this has been posted - apologies if it has.

[Packn]

Best answer for that is you hunt where the elk are at. It's surprising how many elk are at a lower elevation even though they have the option to be higher. The area we gather cattle out of in the fall we camp at about 9,500 ft and ride as high as 10,500. We see some elk throughout the week while riding. Majority of the elk are seen at about 7,500. Sometimes on the road while driving and other times while riding in the lower elevations. If there is food and a source of water the elk should be there even without springs for wallows.

[BRazz]

Where I usually hunt the lower elevations are mostly winter range (sage brush hills) and only when you get closer to 8500+ does the ecology really look "elky" for archery and early rifle seasons. We usually hunt between 9-11k, and pretty much ignore places that are less than 9k.

[bigmart]

We hunt from 5500 to 7500 in Oregon, plenty of elk.

[Swede]

I hunt Oregon. The area where I hunt is all below 7,000 feet. The majority or elk will be found at about 5,000 feet on a ranch. Habitat is far more important than elevation. I have elk on private land near home or a regular basis. We are at about 200 feet elevation. Elevation can be a factor in where good succulent vegetation can be found, so elk will be there. As stated above, go where the elk are and don't worry about elevation itself.

[elk.addict]

It just totally depends on the area. Around here you can find them in the valley (5200') or high in the basins (9,000'). I hunt as high as possible, but mostly because I have that area all to myself. And I like the scenery better.

[planebow]

It just totally depends on the area. Around here you can find them in the valley (5200') or high in the basins (9,000'). I hunt as high as possible, but mostly because I have that area all to myself. And I like the scenery better.

I agree that it totally depends on the area. The area that we hunt is about 3000 ft and has a ton of elk.

[Trophyhill]

Elk dictate where I hunt. If they're low I hunt low. If high I hunt high.

[Indian Summer]

Numbers mean nothing. It is all relative to the top end elevations for the area. The max elevations in the Bitterroot are 9000 feet and there's not much of that at all. Most hunting is done from 6,000 to 7500 feet. There are always elk down to the 5000 foot mark, and even a few roaming the river bottoms. For the sake of using my energy wisely I try to drive to the higher starting points though and from there I don't really make gaining any elevation a priority.

In the places I hunt in Wyoming the elk don't seem to care about being on to of the world. Max elevations around there are at the 10K mark. There are some up there but if you go to the highest elevations you will have passed up the majority of elk. The mulies, and myself, like it up there more than the elk. I can find elk darn close to any place I park. About halfway between the creeks and river bottoms and the top. 3/4 of the way up (5k to 7500 ft) is definitely worth hunting but not a necessity.

[mjblowers]

Well... I feel better then. Only got my first elk last year and I'm in the 6kish range.

[8seconds]

Elevation is dictated by the critter. I like 'em all!

[Lefty]

Dont get stuck on they are up high, like already mentioned, big mulie bucks you can keep going up.
I mostly hunt below 6000 feet
Remember elk use to be a plains animal not just a mountain animal. Lewis and Clark started killing them in the Dakotas, mostly under 3000 feet in the Missouri breaks
Habit is the key

[BRazz]

Maybe I'm hunting in different country than some folks on here. Through archery season and usually October rifle seasons most of the elk in my area are up very high. Not necessarily treeline (11.5k), but above 9k.

[twinkieman]

The area where we hunt, our main camp is 7600 ft., and this is our low point there. We can get al the way up to 11,500. All the elk we have killed have been from 7600, to 10,500. We hunt them where we find them.

[foxvalley]

Our highest peak in ID is about 5,500', and the elk like to feed at night in the meadows at the bottom, and work there way up in the morning.With out a lot of pressure, they go about 1/3 to 1/2 way up to bed.