Systematic Approach to Finding Elk Elevation Bands in a New Unit during 3rd Season

[tomengineer]

I drew a 3rd rifle season tag for a south central unit in CO for elk this year. The unit starts high and tapers off to wintering grounds at the Gunnison River. The unit is migratory but the weather appears to be mild up to this point with no standing snow. The elevations and locations we are targeting will be largely weather dependent. If there are several large snow dumps that makes my job easier but I’m not sure that will happen. My question is what if the snow remains light? What temps will drive elk down in large numbers? I have glassing points at high medium and low elevations for the unit but my high points are at 11,000 feet+. Does that seem excessive for mid November? Is sub 10,500 a better guess to start day 1? Start high and work down or the opposite? I prefer to hunt higher and “work for it” but if hunting the rolling hills at 9,500 is the more realistic move I will do that. Thanks in advance.

 

[Dinkshooter]

By your handle and post I believe you are trying to over engineer this elk hunting stuff.

 

[tomengineer]

By your handle and post I believe you are trying to over engineer this elk hunting stuff.

lol I can’t help it. I understand they are animals but also that we know a lot about their behavior based on external factors. Honestly just looking forward to glassing off a ridge in the quiet western wind.

 

[Silentstalker]

Your best approach would be to find the ugliest terrain with the least amount of access and hunt it. Elk don’t like disturbance. Elk don’t like humans. Elk can be found up high and down low.

Hunt where there are the least amount of people. If that’s not super obvious then systematically start high and hit the mountain looking for fresh sign but more importantly actual elk. Move area to area until you find them.

 

[nrpate05]

Elk are where you find them! I'd start high and then move lower depending on snow levels. There will likely be elk scattered around a variety of elevation bands. During OTC Colorado hunts it is more important to get creative about how you use the terrain. During 2nd rifle one year I glassed bulls almost on their winter range (without a ton of snow) less than a mile from a forest service road with heavy use and the closest camp was a few travel trailers, tents, etc. with like 15 guys. Everyone drove up the road figuring they'd get away from people leaving the elk lower down alone. It can take a few days to figure out.

 

[cohunter14]

Yep, as has been said, keep moving until you find them. It will take a lot more snow to push bulls down than it will cows, but there are bulls that will stay low all year and some will stay high. It's not like every elk is going to be at the same elevation in a unit.

 

[tomengineer]

Yep, as has been said, keep moving until you find them. It will take a lot more snow to push bulls down than it will cows, but there are bulls that will stay low all year and some will stay high. It's not like every elk is going to be at the same elevation in a unit.

Ok thank you.

 

[GrantK]

Assuming I'm guessing the correct unit I'd be starting low and working up, a lot of the elk tend to be in giant herds, lots of country feels deserted, cover ground and find those big herds.

 

[tomengineer]

Assuming I'm guessing the correct unit I'd be starting low and working up, a lot of the elk tend to be in giant herds, lots of country feels deserted, cover ground and find those big herds.

Thanks for this. I'm not seeing any snow cover on the NOAA maps currently. Do they move down with the decreasing duration of light or will it take accumulated snow in your experience?

 

[Tmbrgost]

Deep snow and bad weather are the major needs to bring them down. Look for the bulls in rough, steep isolated areas. It doesn’t have to be very big, just quiet and off the beaten path. Elevation is kind of mute when the weather is mild.

 

[tomengineer]

Deep snow and bad weather are the major needs to bring them down. Look for the bulls in rough, steep isolated areas. It doesn’t have to be very big, just quiet and off the beaten path. Elevation is kind of mute when the weather is mild.

Ok thank you. In terms of actually hunting them in those areas I'm assuming it would be still hunting through timber with glassing in morning and evening if possible?

 

[Tmbrgost]

Ok thank you. In terms of actually hunting them in those areas I'm assuming it would be still hunting through timber with glassing in morning and evening if possible?

Yes. Glass old burns, south side slopes and transition areas from bedding to feeding. Older bulls won’t move as much or as far from their honey hole.

 

[tomengineer]

Yes. Glass old burns, south side slopes and transition areas from bedding to feeding. Older bulls won’t move as much or as far from their honey hole.

Got it. Thanks again.

 

[Westelker]

Assuming I'm guessing the correct unit I'd be starting low and working up, a lot of the elk tend to be in giant herds, lots of country feels deserted, cover ground and find those big herds.

It's a little early to expect the elk to be herding up in large numbers. The big bulls will be secluded, resting, sleeping, eating and not interested in grouping up for the migration.

You'll see small herds now, mostly cows and calves, and a satellite bull or two waiting to get lucky during this upcoming 2nd estrus cycle.

When the snow comes in a month or so; you can expect the lead cow to start migrating lower and the big boys reluctantly following.

 

[GrantK]

Thanks for this. I'm not seeing any snow cover on the NOAA maps currently. Do they move down with the decreasing duration of light or will it take accumulated snow in your experience?

The majority of elk are bailing on the high stuff within the next couple weeks regardless of weather in that area. as said by others the big bulls will be bachelored up in nasty country, I personally wouldn't be still hunting, you're just not covered enough ground that way. Glass as much country as possible...There will be plenty of bulls with the mega herds, just probably not the biggest in the unit.

 

[tomengineer]

The majority of elk are bailing on the high stuff within the next couple weeks regardless of weather in that area. as said by others the big bulls will be bachelored up in nasty country, I personally wouldn't be still hunting, you're just not covered enough ground that way. Glass as much country as possible...There will be plenty of bulls with the mega herds, just probably not the biggest in the unit.

Ok thanks for the input. This would be my first elk so I’m in the quantity not quality camp at this point. I’ll concentrate on glassing the mid elevations. 10,500-9,000.

 

[NDcoyote]

Keep it simple and just glass everything. Elk can go from 10k down to 8k in short order.