elk weather

Sigma7 · 10-02-2003, 06:04 AM

How does rain affect the elk herd? I have hunted under blue bird conditions and snow but I guess never rain. Maybe if it is real windy they hold tight? Any advice from you sages is appreciated.

BeaverJack · 10-02-2003, 08:51 AM

Take bourbon along, an' a wide-brimmed hat. Them ball caps ain' t fit for foul weather elk chasin' .

Sigma7 · 10-03-2003, 05:38 AM

a little nip of bourbon I got - the hat I don' t - can pick one up - by your answer, I take it that the hunt goes on with no problem - i guess it would for me anyway if I am driving 1400 miles to hunt

BareBack Jack · 10-03-2003, 07:46 AM

Sigma7,
I like a slight drizzle,or snow fall.It makes the woods alot quieter,your feet don' t crunch aginst the leaves as you walk.As for clothing I don' t know about the hat ,don' t get me wrong I like a good Stetson.They always seem to get hung up,crawling and ducking.
Elk seem to move alittle more,browsing and feeding through out the day.If it is a hard rain they hold up and bed down.

Sigma7 · 10-03-2003, 01:37 PM

BBJ -

Thanks for the info. I am ok with most forms of weather - I just don' t care too much for high winds - seems to blow too much scent around and make critters skiddish....I agree with the idea about the wide brimmed hat too - I do tend to crawl to the tight spots looking for sign and get smacked in the face alot with the branches so I guess the hat would fly off too

trapper T · 10-03-2003, 03:06 PM

Another good thing about the rain is it will help clean the air and make it a little more difficult for them to wind you. Don' t go out thinking it will entirely mask your scent but it does help some. My 2 cents.

Sigma7 · 10-06-2003, 06:41 AM

I tend to use cover scent also - though that is of moderate help - the wind is the key - even in the rain

oldelkhunter · 10-06-2003, 12:27 PM

During the Rut they shut right up when it' s raining

Beans Morocco · 10-09-2003, 07:27 PM

Jus' my .02 but elk are pretty damned hardy and a little rain doesn' t seem to effect them at all. Even a good shot of snow makes no difference. I do think this, however...Rain is good for quieting down most natural surfaces,but the trade off seems to be in the way scent might be carried. A moist nose picks up more. Theirs' and ours' . Ever notice how much more, ummmm, pungent a fart in the shower is?

BareBack Jack · 10-10-2003, 10:17 AM

Hey Beans I thought that was do to the confined space,you know pull the covers over someones head,or in the pick-up.