3rd and 4th seasons

[powderhogg01]

Well a week away from the 3rd season opener where I will be hunting unit 28-37 in colorado. My buddy has a cow tag, I have put in a bit of ground time and have a few plans in store. I found a leftover cow tag for unit 371 for 4th season, sad the money so I sprung and got it. First rifle tag I have held for myself in a while. The unit is small but has a lot of great habitat and concentrations. I will not be able to scout, but will be able to get off work a bit to make the 20 minute drive from work to the hunting grounds.
We just got 14" of snow up here in the high country which brings me to ponder how much snow it takes to move elk?(I know this storm is not moving them, I glassed some up this evening way up high still) If the snow continues I plan to get into an area I have fished before and likely do so with either my skis or snowshoes. If it dries out and melts then I May just go in by foot carrying showshoes just in case.
Having never done an elk hunt in the snow, any advice from you seasoned vets? I am hoping for some fresh snow, so we can get in and track down some elk off there snowtracks. Try glassing where we can, otherwise likely try moving the the timbers and quietly as possible. I will likely spend a night or two up on the hill, but will be hunting evenings after work during the week.

[Indian Summer]

There is a bit of a sequence to the way elk move. Before actually dropping down they will concentrate. Small scattered groups will join and form larger herds. Then they will hang out in what I call staging areas. I'm sure they would love to make their move then but hunting season keeps them up higher. If you can find those spots it's a gold mine and not just this year but every year... as long as there is snow. 14 inches is enough to at least make them think about staging. But... not enough for the bigger bulls to surrender to the elements. Those guys won't be too far off but they don't have the "safety in numbers" mentality. They are loners. They may be in bachelor herds of 3 to 6 or more. They will be in spots where there isn't the huge amounts of feed like those cow/calf/young bull hers are. Remember the cows are always thinking of what's best for their young.

I have a spot where elk stage every year. There is a road that gets you up high and it's always good hunting there. But once that road is snowed in all of the pressure comes from the low road. You can hike to the top but most guys don't. You can also make the effort to use a snowmobile to use the high road. I guess the point is that making more effort than 90% of the hunters is the plan. Once up there you can find the bigger herds. But also glass across the drainage looking for that one elk that is holding out a little longer. Once you find sign stay put. Find a good vantage point and build a fire if you want to take a break. It's rejuvenating. Those spots will be home to new elk every day and eventually the big boys will pass through as well. If you've never hunted snow you're in for a treat. Make sure you have good binoculars and use them wisely.

Good luck!

[powderhogg01]

Thanks for the reply. The area of my tag is a no motorized zone. The ranger station gave me some tips on how to access it, and where to expect to find outfitters and there pack horses. I always am willing to go a bit harder and farther, considering snowshoeing in seems like above most hunters prerogative. With minimal access to certain drainages my plan A was to check a basin and move if to the next if I saw no sign. I am familiar with a few areas of the unit, through summer hiking and fishing. In those spots I saw elk almost every hike, so I will likely start there and move into the more remote areas.
In this area the elk winter on the opposite side of a large reservoir. the ranger I spoke with said its almost always december before they see elk out in the sage on the other side where they tend to winter, and if it was his tag he would be up high still. thats my plan for now.