Help me hunt the woods!

[Lefty]

I am switching from the desert to a more traditional mountain timbered country. I never heard or saw elk this season during the hunt.
I would like to blame two major reasons for the lack of elk. The recent fires didn’t leave any cover. Then with the constant pressure one local family started hunting the area , their belief is the elk wont move much with their vehicle travel and some days that meant three vehicles driving around in the morning. They drive isolated roads every day, Also biologist had some Obama money and were doing research twice a week in the area, and an antelope hunter started hunting a water tank. Hunting at the tank didn’t matter as much as there driving around the area.
I expect Ill be hunting where we bear hunt. I know the area a bit and know where the elk are in the spring . Being a school teacher I will have a lot of time to hike/scout in the summer. But I expect where I find elk in August won’t be where and how I find elk in September. Yes I know enough and am willing to walk all the way in to the more secluded locations. I expect Ill put an ATV at the bottom of the mountain and each morning start hunting from the top.
I don’t believe water will be a driving force for the elk. Seems to be plenty
Ive discovered there are some what I call strange locations that the elk hang out in the spring. Near our bear baits, which are within 600 yards of a well maintained road. Nearly every time we bear hunt we see a lot of elk.
Maybe Im asking for help to mentally getting me out of the desert.
I do know ill be paying much more attention to trail cam pics that are posted , and start worrying about wind in the mountains

[easeup]

I guess you have got a good start with a plan in mind to see new country.
all I can add is working top down in the mornings usually hasn't worked well for me.

[ElkNut1]

Dennis, you're not that far from me here in the McCall area, let's take a day & you come over this way & in one day I'll show you the ropes in what to look for & how to hunt in the more mountainous country, it's no problem at all sir. Shoot me a PM!

ElkNut1

[Toby]

Now, that's a great offer.