Elkwoods Scout Plans 2017

[WapitiTalk1]

Scouting your fall elk hunt location comes in many different forms. What are your plans to maximize your opportunity at your planned hunting destination over the next 6-7 months?

[Swede]

I am planning on two scout trips this summer. One for Idaho and one for eastern Oregon. I hope to take in two locations in Oregon with that trip. In the meantime it is G.E. and Acme Mapper when A. M. comes back.

[Old school]

Unfortunately my scouting will all have to be by Google Earth and the dept of game and fish "hunt planner" maps. That is unless I can talk my wife into heading out west for our 25th anniversary this summer

--Mitch

[six]

Mitch

25 years! That's great. You definitely need a vacation and I cant think of a better place than Colorado. I took my wife to my most sacred hunting grounds once for a hiking adventure. She was taking a picture every 2 minutes once we entered the mountains. She said "I can see why you love it out here so much".

Good luck

[BrentLaBere]

Waiting to find out about my Wyoming Elk Draw. I would be concentrating on new areas in Wyoming if I am successful.
If not, which is what I am expecting, I will take two scouting trips if it all works out. One will be to a new mountain range/unit in Montana. The other will be to the same area I hunted last year but to explore areas I dont know as well as I should. Trying to make a point of it to explore new terrain every year.
Breaking down the spots on google earth, looking at trails and topo maps to break down the area of interest and then heading out for 2 days. Always a great weekend to get a little fly fishing in.

[Lefty]

I dont know every nook and cranny of the region I hunt. I plan to expand a few directions.
If my daughters going to be my partner I need to get her out to know the woods better where we hunt. Ill hike 6-10 days in the area and ATV it another 5-10 days.
I am thinking of looking at an area that is hunted by horseman bordering Montana maybe pack in for night or two

[ElkNut1]

Looking at a 5 mile trek using a TRAIL, I know I rarely use them but I feel this one is unique! (grin) It's rarely if ever used because of it's rugged steep terrain but it leads into some great looking prospects. Can't wait to check it out this Summer, it looks simply awesome! It screams of some pretty decent bulls that should be holed up there! I've never been in there so it will be all new. I know to pull those elevations (2000' up & 2000' down) at 62 I'll have to be in peak physical shape, this is certainly part of my planning for 2017. I will also visit a few of my old haunts & set up a couple of trail cams, those things can really pay off! Those areas are no where near tails so no issue with cams being messed with! Also toying with the idea of using a Longbow this year! Good luck all!

ElkNut1

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

All going to be done by Google Earth and other maps. I am planning on taking some trail cams this year to watch over a couple spots. Found a natural mineral site last year that would be perfect to check out and could be hunted with a tree stand if active enough while there. I would love to get away for a weekend but the 1,900 miles in between make it next to impossible and impractical for me!

[dhoey]

Gonna take a trip down to 10A in Idaho as soon as the weather allows, shooting for late May. Gonna try and scout the Panhandle as well as we are still not decided on which tag. The archery season in 10A is all of Sept, but the panhandle as the archery/rifle combo which would allow for some versatility. Open to any other Idaho advice as well

[WapitiTalk1]

DH, May is most likely way too early to scout the Gem State. You'll have significant snow accumulation well into early July some years in the high country which will limit where you can scout. I get the Panhandle A tag which gives me the majority of SEP for archery hunting and the option to come back later for a shortened rifle season (although I haven't done that to date), and, a late season archery stint if one so chooses (sometime in DEC I think). I've heard good things about 10A.

[Brendan]

Being from the East Coast - scouting will be limited to online methods.

Unless, I can swing a spring bear trip. I've never been able to do it because I'm saving vacation for the fall, but there's a chance I can make it happen this year. Ideal scenario - I get time to head to MT or ID for a scouting and bear hunt...

Anyone want to join me? I'd be targeting all new areas if it happens.

[dhoey]

DH, May is most likely way too early to scout the Gem State. You'll have significant snow accumulation well into early July some years in the high country which will limit where you can scout. I get the Panhandle A tag which gives me the majority of SEP for archery hunting and the option to come back later for a shortened rifle season (although I haven't done that to date), and, a late season archery stint if one so chooses (sometime in DEC I think). I've heard good things about 10A.

That Panhandle A tag is always in the back of my mind. If I could somehow find an extra 300$ in my pocket, I'd buy both

[Beendare]

Seeing some new country in Montana gen season again this year.

I do the GE thing and cross reference with maps mainly looking at roads/access. I'm looking for pockets where we can pack in.....and there is less likely to be a lot of hunting pressure.

Now its tricky in Mt due to so much lightly pressured private ground....the elk can [and do!] move in there. I get that we will have to lace up our boots and get out there to find them.....

[NorthIDTLH]

Are there any good (Easy) web sites to look at or overlay previous wildfire maps or burn sites? It would be ideal if Google Earth had this feature, but I've never seen it. If anyone knows better than me about Google Earth or has some magical site to tell me about previous burns that would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance

[WapitiTalk1]

Are there any good (Easy) web sites to look at or overlay previous wildfire maps or burn sites? It would be ideal if Google Earth had this feature, but I've never seen it. If anyone knows better than me about Google Earth or has some magical site to tell me about previous burns that would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance

Trophy question NorthIDTLH! I've sent Ed from Game Planner Maps a note and asked him to chime in on your question. He's probably the smartest cat I know on everything to do with mapping.

[Game Planner Maps]

Are there any good (Easy) web sites to look at or overlay previous wildfire maps or burn sites? It would be ideal if Google Earth had this feature, but I've never seen it. If anyone knows better than me about Google Earth or has some magical site to tell me about previous burns that would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance

Game Planner Maps has burn data from 1984 to 2014 for most of the western states on the Free Map Viewer. The only maps that do not have it are Idaho and Montana. I have the data so I'll try to get them updated this weekend. The site is easy to use: just register here with a valid email and check your inbox for a confirmation email. Then login to the site and go to the Free Map Viewer and select from the available states. You can even print your own maps! Be sure to checkout our Custom Hunting Maps. If you have any questions please email me ed@gameplannermaps.com.

Thanks

FireMapReduced.jpg (139.32 KiB) Viewed 10105 times

[NorthIDTLH]

Much appreciated. Thank you!

[Game Planner Maps]

The Idaho and Montana Maps have been updated to include the burn data.