They are here now but will they be there later... need some advice

[crumy]

Area 11 - WY They are here now but will they be there later... need some advice

I drew Area 11 in Wyoming. I just spent the weekend in the westeren part of the are area (10,000 - 10,800) feet. Plenty of parks, water and shrubs but no Aspens. I'm new to elk hunting and trying to learn on the fly. I know the elk are here. Plenty of tracks and wallows. Tracks in my tracks almost every day. But are the shrubs enough food source or do should I find an Aspen Grove?

Any ideas were in 11 would be good?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

First of all ,look and see which way the sign is going. they are usually going to/from bedding areat to feed areas. The elk will bed all day, feed all night. They bed in good , heavy cover. Be there BEFORE daylight and again in the PM and stay till after dark. Get your binos and spotting scopes out and minutely look over the cover, ya just might see them anytime. Look for timber, just as good as aspens.

 

[7200]

congrats on getting the tag! i've been putting in for it for three years now with no success. area 11 holds a lot of elk. after the heavy snow comes it seems like all the elk from surrounding areas migrate into 11. i haven't hunted elk there but i have noticed that sort of activity for quite some time now.

 

[crumy]

I think I am going to go look around turpin res this weekend. It is a little lower and I think would be a good "backup" if the snow comes early. Otherwise I think the higher elevations may work out. I like the eastern half a little better just because it has less access to trails and roads. Probably fewer people.

 

[In God We Trust]

I would recommend stopping in and checking this area one more time about a week before the season starts. Don't worry about the lack of aspen patches. If anything elk like Aspen patches later in the winter when food is scarce and they need to be in the sun more because of the cold.

 

[crumy]

Would you suggest sitting overlooking the open area where it looks like they are coming from or where they are going to.

 

[In God We Trust]

Glass one area and put a trail cam on the other and then switch it up. The trail cam will let you know if they are traveling through there at night, morning or evening hours. You can find some good deals on trail cams right now. One more thing, I have found areas where the elk will hang out durring August and then stick around for the rut. Other places I have watched elk all summer and then come the beginning of Sept. they have moved a decent distance prior the rut so make sure you are willing to branch out to more areas if you are not seing fresh sign or elk after a few days.

 

[crumy]

Thanks for the information. I have hunted whitetail for a long time back east but since moving out west it is like I am starting all over.