Thoughts

[Sooner elk hunter]

For the veteran elk hunters. Is there a certain amounts not of distance you like to get from a main trail to look for good elk country. Also how much time do you spend crawling through the deadfall. If your not finding any sign or seeing elk. ?

[Ridge Runner 76]

1. Intimate knowledge of the area you hunt + intimate knowledge of the animals who live there + scouting + hard work = success.

This is my 28th season, and in my opinion no one answer fits all. I've hunted deep, shallow and in between. Last few years, I've shot several bulls right out from between those going deep, and roads. Shot them not far from a road, and far enough it was absolutely miserable pack outs.

Elk are where you find them. Cliche, yes. But no truer words have been spoken.

I apologize if you wanted a specific answer, I just don't see how anyone can give you a perfect answer.

I'm sure mine is flawed based on others experiences here as well. My humble opinion.

[Lefty]

,..
Elk are where you find them. Cliche, yes. But no truer words have been spoken.
.

so true
Im newer to elk hunting and elk country. (20years) Ive moved around a bit and have found game in all sorts of places, and places many seldom hunt.
I tend to hunt further in than most are willing to hike. But there can be plenty of places right under-your-nose too.
I know of one location right beside a State highway and within a triangle of forest service roads . A couple finger ridges separate the elk habitat from the roads. A small area, thick cove,r inside: hunters drive by everyday
Yikes blow down can be a killer on the legs. Walk around it for scouting,.. the stuff I hunted was just too noisy to hunt in even when wet.
I just called from the edges.
Elk are a lot of places. I walked and glass

[powderhogg01]

I have spent some time negotiating blowdowns, I think the biggest thing to keep in mind about blowdowns is that the lk would prefer to not go over them either. What I mean by this is if the blow down is barge enough, there is likely an elk passage through it, using the smaller trees or perhaps going around them completely. As stated.. if its super nasty, I tried just calling into it..

[Sooner elk hunter]

Appreciate the repls. Live in Oklahoma makes it hard to scout. Spend a lot of time looking at maps and GE. This last trip we heard a few bugles they seemed to be in the blow downs. I didn't know what move to make. Try to set up on the edges and catch a trail coming out of there or go in crawling around the timber.

[Ridge Runner 76]

Appreciate the repls. Live in Oklahoma makes it hard to scout. Spend a lot of time looking at maps and GE. This last trip we heard a few bugles they seemed to be in the blow downs. I didn't know what move to make. Try to set up on the edges and catch a trail coming out of there or go in crawling around the timber.

First, as to the blow downs, I think its 50-50 on being successful going in after them. Although, I think the elk definitely have the edge in there. I'd try and call them out.

As to the scouting thing, understand. But map study along with GE are pretty good tools. Plus, if you stick with this specific area year after year, you will build a historical "scouting" report that only gets better with age.

[RedExer]

Everyone else is right...You will find the elk where they are! I've spent hours walking miles deep into good elk country, and then found elk just a couple hundred yards from camp! I like to keep moving, but that's based on personal preference...I have spent time sitting in saddles looking for elk, but that hasn't helped me much. It has helped me a lot to find the main trails, which usually lead to at least one good wallow, as well as good grazing. Slowly make your way up those trails, looking for elk. Also, once you figure out their routes, if you're hunting with someone else, position is key! Know their escape routes, and place people on those. Send a couple people down to where the elk are, and once they shoot, or scare the elk in any other way, if you're in the right spot, it works sometimes! Usually it's not that easy, but...it's worth a try!