2 Key Ingredients for Killing Elk

[Trophyhill]

Keeping it simple and understanding the "elk world" will turn elk hunters into elk killers consistently . So......what are the 2 things we must understand or consider about elk in September? or let me put that question another way to keep it simple. What are the 2 most important things to elk in September? Or what are the 2 things elk do extremely well in September?

[powderhogg01]

eat and have sex... life of kings I tell ya

[Trophyhill]

eat and have sex... life of kings I tell ya

Eating is not a high priority during the rut losing nearly 20% of his body weight but the rut is high priority

[GobbleFarmer]

Uhh.. would the other be water?

[Trophyhill]

Uhh.. would the other be water?

Not exactly but elk do need water. what is important to elk? Not only during the rut but year round? Remember, elk don't think like us.

[zpd307]

security

[Trophyhill]

security

Yes, that isn't exactly the word i was thinking but you are correct. Bob Muley from another Forum once said (and I'm paraphrasing) ,elk aren't necessarily extremely smart but they are very well adapted to "surviving". Something Gregg and I have talked about numerous times as well. When elk are pressured, where do they go? Why and where do elk bed where they do? Security. If we can find these "secure" pockets or have some idea where they are, it ups our odds as we put together a game plan for that day. Gregg likes to be where the elk want to be before the elk get there when he can get there. Thus his "timber rat" tactics.

Rutting and surviving (security)

[thejuice]

That makes sense.
So, for a relatively new elk hunter like me, what should I be looking for on topos, Google Earth, etc.
I'm heading to Montana for the first time in two weeks and through some networking with friends and a long conversation with the MT G&F I've got it narrowed down to an area we will be. But in that area what types terrain features should I focus on?
Thanks in advance.

[powderhogg01]

I have found that in my area, the elk get pushed up a hill and down into this secret little canyon. its super thick timber and super steep pitch make it nearly impossible to sneak in or out, it really seems like they go in there and shut down, wont budge or come out of the thick for anything... once the rut is really cranking maybe I can call one out or as you implied... be in between the thick and where ever they are in the am.
This particular area is where I had the best bugle activity last year, and having learned even more I now have an idea as to what to do and when to do it next time I get some bugling bulls. last time I waited for them and tried to get him to come at me, but he had cows and would not clear the distance, I should have moved fast to where I heard the first good bugle and set up there rather then hoping he would come to the water I was over.

[Trophyhill]

That makes sense.
So, for a relatively new elk hunter like me, what should I be looking for on topos, Google Earth, etc.
I'm heading to Montana for the first time in two weeks and through some networking with friends and a long conversation with the MT G&F I've got it narrowed down to an area we will be. But in that area what types terrain features should I focus on?
Thanks in advance.

Each area can vary. In some areas elk travel great distances for food and water and breeding at night and some areas not so much. Predation and hunting pressure should be considered in your area.

[zpd307]

That makes sense.
So, for a relatively new elk hunter like me, what should I be looking for on topos, Google Earth, etc.
I'm heading to Montana for the first time in two weeks and through some networking with friends and a long conversation with the MT G&F I've got it narrowed down to an area we will be. But in that area what types terrain features should I focus on?
Thanks in advance.

Each area can vary. In some areas elk travel great distances for food and water and breeding at night and some areas not so much. Predation and hunting pressure should be considered in your area.

unfortunately you wont know until you hunt it.... even then it can change from year to year. I am getting a little antsy as I have only been to my new spot for one season. I hope it is the same as I left it last year....

[Huntrgathr]

It sounds cliche but , Most simply - to kill elk you have to be in the right place at the right time. you have to know the right place(s) but more importantly the right time to be in those places. We've all been to those spots that are absolutely riddled with elk sign but the elk never seem to be there. Maybe they only come at night- who knows ?! It's fairly easy to find elk habitat with maps. It's pretty easy to locate elk "areas" on foot. The key for me was to learn WHEN they will be in specific areas - the kind of thing we try to learn with trail cams... but there's nothing like being there. Watching the elk or listening to the elk for awhile ( maybe days) before making your move is more beneficial than attacking every encounter aggressively. I generally DO go in aggressively but the timing is everything. When you see or hear a group of elk and say " I know where those elk are going" seems to be the critical success factor for most of my hunts. It's not just important for spot and stalk or ambush either. Knowing the right time to call at elk and the right place to call FROM are key to successful call-ins. Learn the country as well as the game and know when to be where. It sounds so easy...

[ak32]

2 ingredients for elk in CO in Sept. from my experience.

1. find them first, look at elevations between 10-12k, north facing slopes with heavy pine timber. Glass in the morning/evening, find them first, then formulate a plan to go in to get them. All the talk of "you must hike in at least 5 mi" or whatever in OTC units is false. I can show you plenty of elk in the evenings glassing in the units near me that are less than a mile from roads. Seems like a lot of people want to put boots on the ground somewhere randomly, but to me that wastes a lot of time, unless all the ingredients are there for an "elky" area.
2. Put yourself in the woods as much as possible and as long as you possibly can. Being out there ups your odds.

Seen so many hunters trying to hunt lower elevation in units with a lot of higher mountains, ect. and not seeing/hearing a thing. Sure there might be some elk lower, but the majority are going to be pretty damn high at least in my experience in Central CO. Definitely doesn't apply everywhere.

[Trophyhill]

2 ingredients for elk in CO in Sept. from my experience.

1. find them first, look at elevations between 10-12k, north facing slopes with heavy pine timber. Glass in the morning/evening, find them first, then formulate a plan to go in to get them. All the talk of "you must hike in at least 5 mi" or whatever in OTC units is false. I can show you plenty of elk in the evenings glassing in the units near me that are less than a mile from roads. Seems like a lot of people want to put boots on the ground somewhere randomly, but to me that wastes a lot of time, unless all the ingredients are there for an "elky" area.
2. Put yourself in the woods as much as possible and as long as you possibly can. Being out there ups your odds.

Seen so many hunters trying to hunt lower elevation in units with a lot of higher mountains, ect. and not seeing/hearing a thing. Sure there might be some elk lower, but the majority are going to be pretty damn high at least in my experience in Central CO. Definitely doesn't apply everywhere.

There are a few reasons elk will be high in Colorado. (Particularly early season) 1 they feel safe. What are a couple other reasons they're up there above treeline?

[ak32]

There are a few reasons elk will be high in Colorado. (Particularly early season) 1 they feel safe. What are a couple other reasons they're up there above treeline?

yea the heavy dark timber for safety and I always thought it was the cooler temps + the nice green grass that time of year when a lot of grasses are browning up down lower.

[Trophyhill]

There are a few reasons elk will be high in Colorado. (Particularly early season) 1 they feel safe. What are a couple other reasons they're up there above treeline?

yea the heavy dark timber for safety and I always thought it was the cooler temps + the nice green grass that time of year when a lot of grasses are browning up down lower.

Exactly, good feed, cooler temps = less flies and mosquitos not to mention the bulls will spend a lot of time up there while in velvet without having to worry about damaging antlers during growth.

[powderhogg01]

in my area I am not seeing elk above the tree line. They do get up there, I am finding them in the 10-12000 foot range, but it seems the upper reaches I have been able to find are elkless for the most part. I am seeing a bunch of mule deer but not the elk up high, they seem to be in the timber.. at least where I am hunting in co

[ak32]

in my area I am not seeing elk above the tree line. They do get up there, I am finding them in the 10-12000 foot range, but it seems the upper reaches I have been able to find are elkless for the most part. I am seeing a bunch of mule deer but not the elk up high, they seem to be in the timber.. at least where I am hunting in co

same here, sweet spot seems to be 10-11.5k. They love the avalanche chutes that still have smaller timber + grass combined for easy feeding then are able to duck back into the heavy stuff to bed.

[Huntrgathr]

Up in the goat rocks !? There's no elk up there

[StartMyHunt]

There are a few reasons elk will be high in Colorado. (Particularly early season) 1 they feel safe. What are a couple other reasons they're up there above treeline?

David said the above and I cannot agree more. Security habitat is key in my opinion. If the elk do not feel safe in an area, they will move out real quick. My maps show the security habitat/bedding areas (as well as a few other interesting areas) . Also as Trophyhill pointed out, less flies and mosquitoes. Odd Fact: The main reason caribou are constantly running is to escape the bugs. I believe the same applies to elk.

Mike

[IdahoKel]

We've all been to those spots that are absolutely riddled with elk sign but the elk never seem to be there. Maybe they only come at night- who knows ?! It's fairly easy to find elk habitat with maps. It's pretty easy to locate elk "areas" on foot. The key for me was to learn WHEN they will be in specific areas - the kind of thing we try to learn with trail cams... but there's nothing like being there.

This is exactly what I finally realized this past weekend. I've thought of myself as being pretty good at finding elk, but that's just not true. If it were, I'd have filled a tag after 5 years of trying! Anyone can find where elk have been. Anyone can hike to a spot that is riddled with sign at 6am. It's finding where they are right at this very moment that is so extremely challenging, and is the key to success. I'm realizing that I need to change the way I approach this whole thing.

[Trophyhill]

There are a few reasons elk will be high in Colorado. (Particularly early season) 1 they feel safe. What are a couple other reasons they're up there above treeline?

David said the above and I cannot agree more. Security habitat is key in my opinion. If the elk do not feel safe in an area, they will move out real quick. My maps show the security habitat/bedding areas (as well as a few other interesting areas) . Also as Trophyhill pointed out, less flies and mosquitoes. Odd Fact: The main reason caribou are constantly running is to escape the bugs. I believe the same applies to elk.

Mike

Anyone who's ever scouted elk in July can probably tell you how bad the skeeters and biting flies can be in CO. Especially a wet year. Miserable lol

[Coveyleader]

Going high for elk in Colorado is the same as "you need to go deep"

I've killed over a 12 elk and not one was killed over 9000 and all on public OTC lands. They are where they are.