Went out scouting today and checked my cameras. I have a few bulls that have lost their velvet. Hopefully everyone is getting pumped to get out. Good luck everyone hopefully no one lost their hunting area due to fires.
ELK Update
- Thread starter Darrin Stark
- Start date
hvfd21walker
Active Member
I wouldnt count the burned areas out. I was fighting fires over in eastern MT and the day after the fires went thru elk were back in there. They were pitch black from being in there.
that fast? ive heard burn area were awesome spots but i allways figured after new growth started, what they feeding on? my brother was telling me theyll roll in the ashes too???? anyone know why? and thanks for fighting fires man! you guys rock.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Grasses will regrow in burns very quickly. There are also a lot of minerals exposed by fire, and in the ash, that elk may target. Elk will also often utilize their usual migration routes right through burns ... where they happen to be exposed and visible ... 
Old Hunter
Banned
New growth has a lot of nutrition. Animals are always looking for it. I have an area that had a controlled burn last year. I'm going to try it this year. It was too messy to hunt last year.
hvfd21walker
Active Member
birdhunter
Active Member
I camped out last night at my hunting camp. Checked my trail cams and the same as usual, all cows, which is good for me since I have a cow tag. But I couldnt sleep all night. The sounds of bugling bulls about 100 yds from camp kept me up all night. I thought it is a little early for that but it got me pumped up. Usually new growth will take a couple weeks to be tall enough for feed. But I just talked to a fire expert and he said that the ashes in a burn do carry minerals that elk will eat. That is usually why they are back into a burned area so quickly. Cant wait til next saturday, I will be out trying to fill my tag!!!
wolftalonID
Very Active Member
Yes! Getting very excited. Bought my elk tag today! So far in the clear for fires. But with this hot dry weather, not safe yet. Lets just hope laborday campers and early hunters dont start more.
Long Range Persuit had a Elk hunt were one of the brothers killed a nice bull in a very recent burn. The bull was totally black from the ash. Good luck to you boys!