Even if I was scouting in June, pushing elk then could potentially move them out of the area come opening day?

Can you attempt to pattern them in any way by their use of trails/water/etc.? Obviously not to the point of whitetails, but will they his the same trail/water/etc. every few days if not disturbed?

Let' s say it' s opening morning (bow hunting by the way) and I' ve scouted out an area (and talked with others who know) and there are elk in there...somewhere. Would I start out at daylight (I assume there is no point in getting up before light and go crashing around to get nowhere in particular) and start bugling down each drainage?

BUT, wind is obviously everything, and (understand, I an Iowa boy gone coastal two years ago...all new to me!) hunting up mountains is generally the way to go in the mornings...correct?

If I do hear elk down those drainages, do I then circle around so as i am coming at them from the downward (and downwind) side?

Can a guy sit on water hole in Oregon and be effective beings there is generally so much moisture out here?

Man, I apologize for hitting you guys with all of these questions! I am a pretty anal guy where preparedness is essential....my wife would even say on the cusp of obsessive!!!

I actually got a cow the first morning of my first year of bow hunting, which was GREAT! Unfortunately it was dumb luck...granted I was wish someone who knew a tad more than I (since then we have parted ways), but nonetheless, dumb luck and also what seemed to be a mighty dumb cow!!! I couldn' t go this last year due to a couple back surgeries, but am eager to get out there this year and do it right.

Thanks in advance fellas.