Scouting for elk

[Alsatian]

I am a first time elk hunter. I'm planning on backpacking into my Colorado hunting area for a brief 1 1/2 days in two weeks to do some scouting. I assume there is no particular point in looking for elk droppings or elk, as this sign would be irrelevant during my hunt three months later. I have reports that, generally speaking, there are in fact elk in the area I will be hunting. What should I be looking for when I scout now? What do you look for when you scout three months in advance of your elk hunt?

I plan to just generally look the area over so I have a better feel for the topography. I have the quadrangle maps and have looked them over and have a fair understanding of the land (here is a drainage or canyon, here is a watercourse that may or may not have water in it in October, here is a small lake or pond that may or may not have water in it in October, here is where the treeline is, etc). I'm familiar with high mountain country in general. What am I looking for? Am I trying to spot and catalog patches of open grassy areas surrounded by trees where the elk might like to go to eat? Am I trying to spot and catalog water holes? What should I look for?

This is a good opportunity for seasoned elk hunters to help out a new comer -- myself and others who also will read this thread -- without giving away your "honey holes."

[BareBack Jack]

Alsatian,
There are5 thing I like to look for when scouting elk.
1.Security cover
2.Food
3.Water
4.Accsebility
5.Escape routes or secondary routes.
If you can find all5 of these you are going to find elk.I have had the best luck locating these on North slopes.Elk will travle long ways for food and water,sometimes they will travle all night to get to food,and be back in the timber by morrning.If you find good travle routes that lead back and forth from feed and water to security cover your good as gold.
BBJ

[Abuelo]

Before you're on the ground there, you might find it worthwhile to scan the area using terraserver.com or another website that offers satellite images. Cross reference the images with your maps to locate additional features such as game trails, water sources and vegetation. Then markprime locations on your maps or enter them into your GPS.

I like hunting areas where there's a good stand of aspens, a few open meadows,heavy timber nearby,water and especially a high vantage point. If hunting lower elevations, I look for the same conditions but locations with scrub oak. Oakprovides excellent cover and, depending on the weather, acorns are a favored food source.

Good luck!

[ShatoDavis]

Well,

In short....ELK.So on the contrary if I found spore and other elk sign I would definately take it as a positive. The best scouting trip would be one where you could see elk and pattern them. If you can find a good basin that is holding elk that is where I would start my hunt.

Of course those mentioned before, as well as basins with good feed in them... But, you can also find places that have: food, water,cover, access, and escape routes and if the elk areanother mountain you're not going to have any luck.