RE: finding elk
 

Depends. Is it warm? How late in the season? They' ll talk less an' less with warm weather an' as the rut peters out. Don' t mean they ain' t there. One thing you can do if you know they are close, but bein' very nocturnal (warm days), is you can push the timber on a north ridge. This is stalkin' at its mos' difficult. You gotta be dressed right, you gotta be patient, an' you gotta be 10 times more stealthy than you think you need to be. I recommend the 2 step, 4 step method. Start by stepping with your right foot if you are a right-handed shooter. This leaves you with your left foot forward in a shooting stance. Only step when you have thoroughly analyzed the surroundings, and then only 2 or 4 steps, very slowly. A slight change in perspective might show you some antlers stickin' up over a blow down, or a flicker of a ear in a bush. The object is to stand still more than you are moving. Watch small evergreens, cause elk love to look thru them to check you out. This is the most fun hunting but comes with risks. First, you ain' t gonna be good at it first off, an' you' ll likely blow the elk outta their bedding area for several days. They can run off and be miles away before you even know they' re gone. Second, you gotta be a good off hand shot. Many hunters ain' t. They need a knee or a tree or a bipod contraption. Practice bringin' yer rifle up from a port position very slowly, and wear wool. None of them nylon gaters you see so many elk hunters sportin' . No rain gear if its wet. Shade yer face with a wide-brimmed hat. The eyes and face are very recognizable to elk, even if yer body is cammoflagued. Now if you got the time and patience to stalk elk on the trails leadin' in and out of bedding areas, go for it. But don' t expect to be successful right off. My grandaddy taught me to kill whitetails in their beds. He didn' t consider anythin' else to be sporting or worthy of the animal. He also didn' t like to get up early to hunt, or walk in the woods after dark. If he saw me sittin' in a tree watchin' a trail, he' d likely disowned me. This is detail hunting. You gotta think like the animal and never underestimate his nose, eyes, or ears. If you ain' t in shape, forget it. If you ain' t in tune with the woods, forget it. Mos' people are too wound up from city livin' for this kind of hunting.

RE: finding elk
 

RIGHT ON BEAVER JACK !!!
You know how to hunt them elks,I preach wool clothing.I do wear a pair of gaiters,but are made of silent cloth.2 and 4 stop,look and listen.I prefer slight drizzle or snow when still hunting makes it even more quiet on the ground.

RE: finding elk
 

There' s going to be five of us on the trip along with my son and myself. I' m wondering if we should appproach it the way we do deer hunting sometimes. We line up about 100 yards apart and silent hunt acrossed a ridge. Many times if not pushed they get up and try and circle around you. We' ve killed a lot of whitetail this way. What do you think?

RE: finding elk
 

No. Elk ain' t whitetail. They' ll hear yer lil' army comin' 500 yards off, an' they won' t circle nuthin' , they' ll head out for the next county. Whitetail act like rabbits, they try to decieve you by layin' low an' being sneaky. Elk got the legs of a horse an' the sure-footedness of a goat. Their strength is in leavin' you in the dust, an' they use it at the slightest provocation.

RE: finding elk
 

Elk drives seldom work unless you know where they are going.Then you can setup you shooters and drive the timber.This I have done and it worked great for the stand hunters.You have to have leggs to run it to position and get set-up when they comr through.

RE: finding elk
 

Well then,,,,,,,,,,, give me some ideas for the middle of the day because I don' t think I can still hunt with my young son. Should I just spend the mid days looking for sign? Come on, you' ve guys have a lot of good ideas.

RE: finding elk
 

Well Hale,take him still-hunting how eles is he/she going to learn,gotta start some time.You can glass on riges and advantage points,and then spot and stalk.My father stated me out just like every one else learn as you go.

RE: finding elk
 

I understand where you' r ecoming from and appreciate any advice you can give. I guess what I' m weighing is: do you want to take a chance on pushing them out of an " active" area, or would it be better to try and figure out their movemnts, and ambush while doing some lite cow calling. I guess I just don' t want to be the next " barney" going west. Here at home we call them " Johnstowners" because they come from the city of Johnstown, and never seem to have a clue. Always driving their new trucks with their new 4wheelers strapped on the back. Half the farms around here are owned by out of towners because the native can' t afford them anymore. Is this how you view me?:D

RE: finding elk
 

Hale,
I don' t think that,we all have names for the outa towners.
I would say spot and stalk,I like tracking and hunting them in their beds or as they go through the timber.Try getting on some fresh elk track and chasing them,wait for the slow meandering tracks this generaly means theelk are close to bedding down and from hear go to the 2-4 step and scan and listen and smell.Elk have a distinct smell.If all else fails wander the ridges and drainiges looking for elk.

RE: finding elk
 

Boys you need to tone it down, your getting me too riled up and I have 8 days to wait;). Nice advice Beaver Jack, I' ll try that 2-4 method I' ve always felt I went too fast.I try and break up my pace with different step patterns but I' ll try the 2-4 sounds good. Good luck to all and thank God it' s finally Elk season:D