All the elk sign but no elk???

[JoMo]

Bjcoyne - sounds like you have the right recipe to get you hooked. I have hunted the same unit in CO for about 10 years now, and continue to learn more about the elk and the land with each season. The first few years, I was in your shoes where I would see plenty of sign, but no animals standing in those tracks I was seeing. I then got linked up with a hunting group, who I am now great friends with, and learned a lot of what the others have mentioned above. When you see the sign, like really fresh sign - slow down! I am the type of person who gets annoyed with waiting, but with elk hunting - you have to be patient. Some of the best advice I ever received was to slow down, and then slow down some more. As soon as this became my mantra when I was onto them, I started seeing elk. I was shocked how close I had been, but with some more patience I realized they were there the whole time, but I was likely bumping them without knowing it. I hope that helps, as it has really helped me out.