Elk unit 7/8

[Catahoula12]

Up at my 2nd rifle elk hunt. Need some constructive advice. It?s blowing like hell up here so I?m sure nothing is moving. Was wondering if I should continue to hunt the dark protected drainages at the elevation I am at (9200-9400)while this wind continues thru Monday? Or should I just lay low til wind subsides and move up to higher elevations to find bulls. I appreciate some input as I am primarily an archer. This is my first 2nd season rifle bull elk hunt. One more thing is that I am aware that these two units are not high on the list of success. Any suggestions would be wonderful. Thank you.

 

[Slugz]

Don't interpret as me being a smart ass.

1) yep its blowing but they still have to eat, drink and bed in a comfortable place
2) unpressured first then out of the wind second if its really blowing
3) lastly if you cant locate any let the glass do the walking and or let pressure push them to you in a choke point ( saddle, drainage, etc etc)

 

[Colorado T]

We hunted unit 7 last year 1st season. I am not sure where you are hunting but it is dark, thick timber with not a lot of locations to glass from. The elk get pushed off the top into some of lower canyons/valleys during the ML and 1st rifle seasons. The wind was so bad last year that trees were blowing down around us and across the roads.

 

[MountainHigh]

Be careful in heavy wind, I have seen trees come down so fast you could never get out of the way. All the beetle kill seems to be at a ripe age for breaking and coming down now, so stay safe. These units hold elk, they probably have moved back into their little holes where they are not disturbed. Agree to glass as much country as possible and when in doubt push a little deeper away from roads!

 

[Hilltop]

Elk would starve out west if they didn't move/feed in the wind- even bad wind. They will often move to protected draws if available but I have seen them in wide open areas in 50mph winds feeding normally. I actually like hunting elk in higher winds because the wind direction typically stays more predictable and doesn't swirl and switch directions as often. Bottom line- keep hunting hard.

 

[SteveCNJ]

Up at my 2nd rifle elk hunt. Need some constructive advice. It?s blowing like hell up here so I?m sure nothing is moving. Was wondering if I should continue to hunt the dark protected drainages at the elevation I am at (9200-9400)while this wind continues thru Monday? Or should I just lay low til wind subsides and move up to higher elevations to find bulls. I appreciate some input as I am primarily an archer. This is my first 2nd season rifle bull elk hunt. One more thing is that I am aware that these two units are not high on the list of success. Any suggestions would be wonderful. Thank you.

I wish I had some words of wisdom for you. I'm headed out to GMU 8 for the 4th rifle season and my first elk hunt. Wishing you a safe, productive and fun hunt.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[BrettKoenecke]

I wish I'd seen this post earlier, sorry I can't be of help at this late date. How did it turn out?

 

[Catahoula12]

Brett Koenecke, sent PM.

 

[Slugz]

So how did the hunt go?

 

[Catahoula12]

Negative Slugz.... I’ll be trying again next season. I don’t want to give up on the units. I know the elk and deer are in there(lots of sign)and others have taken elk and deer. I’ll be spending more time this area next summer earlier than I did this year. Thank you for asking! Much appreciated.

 

[Slugz]

Negative Slugz.... I’ll be trying again next season. I don’t want to give up on the units. I know the elk and deer are in there(lots of sign)and others have taken elk and deer. I’ll be spending more time this area next summer earlier than I did this year. Thank you for asking! Much appreciated.

That's the right attitude my friend. I'm convinced (and I have some pretty good data points) that it takes 5 years to know a unit to the point that you can go in every year and get into them.