sbhooper
Well-known member
Thanks, efw. I basically just look for higher areas with steep contours and in some tree-scarce units, I look for high areas that have some tree cover. Access to open water is always a good feature, too. I have hunted elk for enough years, that in general, I can look at an area and tell where I want to start looking for elk. I tend to look at how far easy-access roads are from the area, also. Fewer roads means fewer lazy hunters. Every year it seems like those areas are getting steeper, though!:W:
If the snow gets deep, a lot of this will go out the window, as the elk will just as likely be out on the flats and open ridges.
I try to get an overview of the area by using Google Earth and the On x map chip, but there is nothing better than actual eyes on the area. I was able to get in a quick early September trip to do a little bit of scouting and it pretty much confirmed for me what I saw on the maps. I at least was able to generally see where the roads ran, even though I did not have time to do any in-depth scouting.
I like new areas, as I think that I go in with a more open mind, than in an area where I have spent a lot of time. On this particular hunt, I got good info from a rancher in the area, that pretty much confirmed what I thought, too.
The picture of the elk herd was taken by my buddy using his smart phone through his bino. I was amazed at how well it turned out. That was only the upper end of the herd. They were strung all down the side of the ridge.
If the snow gets deep, a lot of this will go out the window, as the elk will just as likely be out on the flats and open ridges.
I try to get an overview of the area by using Google Earth and the On x map chip, but there is nothing better than actual eyes on the area. I was able to get in a quick early September trip to do a little bit of scouting and it pretty much confirmed for me what I saw on the maps. I at least was able to generally see where the roads ran, even though I did not have time to do any in-depth scouting.
I like new areas, as I think that I go in with a more open mind, than in an area where I have spent a lot of time. On this particular hunt, I got good info from a rancher in the area, that pretty much confirmed what I thought, too.
The picture of the elk herd was taken by my buddy using his smart phone through his bino. I was amazed at how well it turned out. That was only the upper end of the herd. They were strung all down the side of the ridge.
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