How far do you stay upwind of elk?

[2rocky]

I’m going to say elk reaction to wind and smelling humans is completely correlated to the amount of pressure they are under. If they get shot at expect them to be more reactive to a wind shift. I think large herds have more of a panic response because the way all animals respond in a group including humans.

My experience is that one sense gets their attention and the second sense confirms it and they leave.

 

[TransplantHunter]

I would also add that the topography can definitely change things. I have sat on a hillside with the wind at my back blowing straight towards elk (as the crow flies) but since I was on the shady side, my scent dropped into the valley. There is a creek down there and so my scent likely took a hard turn downhill and did not cross the stream. Especially in the mountains - wind often takes circuitous routes.