average area for elk?

[the weasel]

was laying in bed last and thinking... what do you think the "average range" for elk is? 1 mile from the side hill where they bed - to water/food? or more like 6 miles? I know everything is different for all of us but was just wondering what you have came across? I know a couple miles for them is nothing but what is a little "too far" you think?

[saddlesore]

You have some resident herds that don't move around much, 2-3 miles maybe.Then you have herds that seem to travel in a bigger circle of sorts, staying in one are 2-3 days and then moving on to better feeding grounds. Throw a few hunters in the mix though and they might travel 10-15 miles until they find a safe haven.

[Swede]

In addition to what Saddlesore wrote, I would add that in open country elk may travel 5-6 miles or more from bed to feed regularly on a daily basis.

[BRazz]

Been long gone from this forum for a year or so, but with the season around the corner I'm back on here reading every day... Can't wait!!!

I don't know guys, people talk about how much ground elk can cover... but how could you ever know unless you follow the herd all day and night? That's something I aim to try this year so I'll let you know. But it's not like you can watch them cross a ridge and turn around on the other side of the mountain.

I'd say that I occasionally run into the same elk (based on antlers) but not very often. That may mean that he has moved a mile, 10 miles, or even just down the hill or something.

[Swede]

but how could you ever know unless you follow the herd all day and night?

That is actually a great question. Where I have observed the greatest travel between bedding and feeding is where the elk drop down from the timber above through the desert to the irrigated alfalfa fields below. I feel confident (not positive) saying they are not bedding in the sage brush in between. Anyway, I have observed elk go past me in the late afternoon, then seen elk below in the field later. I can't be positive the elk I observed continued to that irrigated field as it is physically possible they turned and circled back into the timber, but it is very doubtful. Almost certainly they went down to the water and succulent groceries.