elevation question from an elk newbie.

[mdgray]

I'm planning my first archery elk hunt in southern Colorado this September. Planning on the first two weeks in September. I've been doing a lot of mapping and looking on google earth, tracing roads, trails, etc. but I'm not entirely sure what elk country looks like. this might be a dumb question but what sort of elevation and terrain should I be looking for places to hike too. Also does type of country matter? (timber v. aspens v. meadows). any info will be greatly appreciated. feel free to pm me. ill soak up as much info as I can get.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Focus on the north facing ridges.

 

[HiMtnHnter]

Focus on the north facing ridges.

. . . With benches and water. Also, for elevation, look at a real deal usgs 7.5 min quad. Google Earth is nice, but doesn't show elevation very well.

 

[mdgray]

I found out how to overlay a USA topo map on top. Thanks for the info that's a big help. Should I be looking at 8500-9500 range or 9500 and higher? Or is that more of a situational thing?

 

[HiMtnHnter]

I found out how to overlay a USA topo map on top. Thanks for the info that's a big help. Should I be looking at 8500-9500 range or 9500 and higher? Or is that more of a situational thing?

No hard and fast rule for elevation, but in Southern Co in Sept you'll find em at all elevations, but especially up near timberline, +/- 11,000 ft.

 

[Matthoek21]

I was told once "they're in the high country". That's usually a situational thing depending on roads trails and so forth but if the only way in is from the bottom, you can bet they'll be above timberline at the top...at least in September. Late season rifle they will most likely be low and on private if available due to pressure and/or weather.

 

[toddh]

Focus on the north facing ridges.

A ridge that runs north and south or a north facing slope?

 

[go_deep]

A ridge that runs north and south or a north facing slope?

North facing slope. It doesn't have to be a big one either. I gotten into them on a 20 acre North facing slope, just need shade.

 

[Granby guy]

North facing slope. It doesn't have to be a big one either. I gotten into them on a 20 acre North facing slope, just need shade.

And higher isn't always better.

 

[mdgray]

North facing slope. It doesn't have to be a big one either. I gotten into them on a 20 acre North facing slope, just need shade.

just to clarify.

if im in a large drainage that runs east to west with ridges on either side that run north and south (if I walked down the top of the ridge I would either be walking north or south), I should look on just the southern side of the drainage because the ridges on the southern side face north,

or

say a large drainage that runs north to south, with ridges that run east to west(if I walked down the top of the ridge I would either be walking east or west), and each of those ridges because they run east to west will have a north and a south facing side. and the elk will likely be on the north facing side of that ridge.

sorry, I hope that question makes sense.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

just to clarify.

if im in a large drainage that runs east to west with ridges on either side that run north and south (if I walked down the top of the ridge I would either be walking north or south), I should look on just the southern side of the drainage because the ridges on the southern side face north,

or

say a large drainage that runs north to south, with ridges that run east to west(if I walked down the top of the ridge I would either be walking east or west), and each of those ridges because they run east to west will have a north and a south facing side. and the elk will likely be on the north facing side of that ridge.

sorry, I hope that question makes sense.

North facing slope = north side of an east/west running ridge.

As Go Deep said, that may be a little micro pocket. In desert type terrain, it can even be a little micro pocket behind a small hill or rise.

When I am on Google Earth I pan down at about a 45° angle and set the heading so I am looking directly south. That way I am looking "into" a north facing pocket.

 

[mdgray]

Ok thanks for clearing that up.


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[Granby guy]

When you are standing on the slope with your back to the slope your front will be facing north.

 

[Jdavis9753]

Southern Colorado is a little harder than to say what slope they tend to be on. Google earth is fun but really won't tell you where they live.
I recommend this, after hunting several years near Durango...talk to local people, they can give you HUGE insight on which areas to focus on. Also, you need to scout the area which can be hard to find the time to do. Elk just don't make it easy to find them.

 

[Hunteastwest]

My first trip to Colorado for elk was an eye opener. I was amazed how high the elk were in September. They were in areas that I expected to see mountain goats and big horn sheep. Don't rule out land because you think it's too high. They are amazing animals.

If you are looking for mapping info, I wrote a blog post a few weeks ago with Google Earth mapping resources like BLM boundaries, USGS topo maps, etc. You can find the links for these at the post on HuntEastWest.com.

I hope this helps. Good luck and have fun being s student of the CO high country.


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[mdgray]

My first trip to Colorado for elk was an eye opener. I was amazed how high the elk were in September. They were in areas that I expected to see mountain goats and big horn sheep. Don't rule out land because you think it's too high. They are amazing animals.

If you are looking for mapping info, I wrote a blog post a few weeks ago with Google Earth mapping resources like BLM boundaries, USGS topo maps, etc. You can find the links for these at the post on HuntEastWest.com.

I hope this helps. Good luck and have fun being s student of the CO high country.


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Thanks for the info. I checked out your website it was great. a wealth of information. and the article about mapping helped me a bunch. I over layed one topo layer but I didn't know where to find layers for GMU's, water, etc. i also liked the link to the elk triange. i will soon start looking for spots i can mark that with on my Map.

 

[Hunteastwest]

mdgray glad the information helped out. The site continues to be a collection of info that I find useful. Thanks for checking it out. Happy hunting.


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[Slugz]

They are where you find em. Glass, glass and glass more. My primary GMU has them at 8000-9000 ft in the first week of September with the large herd bulls only 1000' above them until the time is right (usually first cold snap) to come break up the party. One of my secondary GMUs has those same size herd bulls up at 12,000 on the edge of timberline doing the same shadowing routine. Oh yeah, glass. All the best