ORIGINAL: GMMAT
Hey Jim...
I've read otherwise (Elk's nose is not as acute as a whitetail's).....but I'm not disputing your claim. Do you think what you describe "could be" from the lack of human interaction commonly associated with elk habitat?
It would make sense to me......since some of the guys who hunt big woods have similar issues with whitetails......that those of us who hunt where human scent is more prevailant don't have to worry about "as much".
Just a thought...
I honestly do not know. The area that I have hunted elk and mule deer in used to be an enormous completely open area (open as in wild). Over the years it became more and more populated and more hunted. The hunting got pretty bad for a while due to everyone and their brother hunting around there. However, now it is largely owned by some mega developer who is building a golf course and monster homes around it. Apparently Tiger bought 2 lots there. Anyway, they are starting to see/smell people a lot more is my point, but I have not noticed any difference in there sensing abilities or reactions to their senses. However, I am certainly not doing an in-depth analysis either.
Like I said, I don't know if an elk can smell as few parts per million as a whitetail can, but he can certianly smell enough to make bowhunting for them a real challenge
They are kind of strange though. If you can get real close, seeing you does not bother them that much. However, if they smell you they don't even look, they are just gone, and by gone I mean run a few miles!
I think mule deer are harder to kill than whitetails. Their sense of smell is good and their eye sight is amazing.