Bow season starts in August and runs through mid September and the elk around here are very much still up high on the summer range. Rifle season is first week in October and most years the elk are still up high on their summer range. This year it snowed a few days before about 4 inches and they were still there opening day. If there is much snow they will move lower like ole BJ said and your scouting plan is out the door. I guess we have a little better weather down here in Utah, huh BJ?