Roads, Trails, and Hunter Pressure?

[JTHOMP]

Currently planning for my first trip out west which will be this summer and first elk hunt this fall. I want to hunt OTC Colorado early season archery, and really expect these trips to be learning experiences more than anything. Right now I have an idea of where I want to start hunting based on possible prim food sources and distance from roads. In all Randy's videos he emphasizes time after time getting a away from roads. The area I'm thinking about starting is a decent distance away form roads but has a couple hiking trails around it and one right through the middle of it.

Looking at OnX the main hiking trail that goes directly to and though the burn area is mostly yellow with a lot orange and red mix, so I'm guessing it's not the most pleasant hike. Any idea of what to expect from hunter pressure from trails and how it'll affect the elk using that area for feed?

 

[Ben Long]

IME non-motorized trails are pretty site specific. If the trail gets a lot of traffic by people/stock with guns/bows during open season, elk are smart enough to give it a wide berth. But trails that are only periodically visited by people, elk will ignore or even use the trail. I've walked up on bedded herds where the elk are literally sleeping on the tread of a hiking/stock trail during the peak of rifle season. Thinking back, though, I've only shot (or been with folks who shot) a handful of elk from a trail per se. Most often, I avoid the trail once in good elk habitat, unless it is the only quiet way to move.
All things equal, I think elk will avoid a well-used trail if there is adequate feeding or loafing habitat near by. If the trail crosses a hot spot for feed or water, they will often put up with the associated risk to obtain the resource. Often its hard to tell from a distance. How's that for a wishy-washy answer?

 

[rmyoung1]

Have you checked out CPW’s online Hunting Atlas? I highly recommend it! On the species layer list, select “elk” and “summer elk concentration.” I’ve found that thing to be very accurate. And if you’re hunting early in the archery season, those elk will be on their summer range still. And they’ll be high. Those public land elk in the OTC units tend to feed around timberline (generally speaking) which is high in CO, close to 12,000. Daytime beds will be in the thick, shady timber stands between 10,000-12,000. A hiking trail won’t disturb elk as much as an ATV trail, obviously, but they still shy away from human activity. Many trails get a lot of hikers in CO and elk will drift away if they’re repeatedly disturbed even by hikers. That’s not to discourage you, though. If you can locate areas that are high and away from human pressure, you will have the week of your life glassing and chasing elk in the high country of CO. It’s a grand experience!

 

[JTHOMP]

If the layers are accurate to whats on the ground, there is only a little burned (60ish acres) where they wouldn't have to cross the trail. Maybe that's worth keying in on?

I have checked the elk summer concentration and the area falls within it and also part of the corridor to winter if that's worth anything. The elevation of the norther most part of the burn is about 10,000 with the area going northward ranging between 10,000-12,000. Multiple ridges here have shadowed north facing slopes. Further south into the burn the country opens up and I would expect to see little day time activity since there is little cover. I know not smart to get caught up focusing on one area too much, but having never been out west having that burn layer makes an easy starting point vs figuring out what a good grassy spot elsewhere might be from looking at an aerial. I do plan to check other areas when I go this summer.

Appreciate yall's input! Based on what I've put together from the above info my plan for scouting would be to glass the possible feed areas in the very early morning and again in evenings, and maybe mid day check the south side of the north facing slopes for trails?

 

[rmyoung1]

Sounds like you’ve put some time and thought into this. I’d say you’re on the right track and you seem to be putting a plan together. I bet you have a good time and find some elk. Best of luck! Let us know how it goes for you!

 

[Deleted member 18333]

IME non-motorized trails are pretty site specific. If the trail gets a lot of traffic by people/stock with guns/bows during open season, elk are smart enough to give it a wide berth. But trails that are only periodically visited by people, elk will ignore or even use the trail. I've walked up on bedded herds where the elk are literally sleeping on the tread of a hiking/stock trail during the peak of rifle season. Thinking back, though, I've only shot (or been with folks who shot) a handful of elk from a trail per se. Most often, I avoid the trail once in good elk habitat, unless it is the only quiet way to move.
All things equal, I think elk will avoid a well-used trail if there is adequate feeding or loafing habitat near by. If the trail crosses a hot spot for feed or water, they will often put up with the associated risk to obtain the resource. Often its hard to tell from a distance. How's that for a wishy-washy answer?

^^^Listen to this!

 

[Deleted member 28227]

Watched a group of mt bikers cruise down a trail and then 3 hours later saw 3 bulls use the same trail...like Ben Long said context is important

 

[Dinkshooter]

I shot this elk while kneeling on a mapped FS trail that just had a batch of hunters on mules go through in front of me. I think he thought the hoof beats where other elk.


I shot this one while lying down on a mapped FS trail for 4 hours waiting for a shot in the trees, secretly praying no one would come through and bust up my party. The fact it was the very last day of the season probably helped to make it happen though.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

^ Not a dink... I think your handle is a lie

 

[JTHOMP]

Hopefully after this summer I'll have a better idea. Appreciate the input as it provides more things to consider when I'm out there, and maybe I'll be lucky enough to find one of those dink bulls on the trail.

 

[bjochem]

To follow up on Dinkshooters post I watched a bull in Idaho last fall come down a ridge towards two hunters sitting next to their horses as they glasses the opposite direction. He bugled a few times and then went back in the pines heading towards them. They got on their horses and left but he came back out and watched them walk down the trail. He then laid down right there. I have limited elk experience but that told me horses don't bother them all the time.

 

[Gut Shot]

I've killed or seen too many elk killed near non-motor-use trails to believe that elk avoid them. I shot my last cow across a forest service trail. As always elk are where you find them and I wouldn't avoid trails because you think the elk will avoid them. Once you are on the ground check the area around the trails for sign, if there is none hunt elsewhere.