Elk On Trail Cameras

[Swede]

For you folks that use trail cameras, I am wondering if you have noticed one or two particular times of the day, that you are picking up most of your elk pictures? From sitting in tree stands for many years now, I have seen the most in the late afternoon and evening. Of coarse I never sit in my stand at night. On my cameras, it appears that elk come around morning and evening about the same. It seems they may come to water holes less in the morning after the hunting season starts. What have you observed?

 

[americanbwana]

I\'ve been looking at the last set I had.

My pictures were taken in July and August. It looks like there were three time frames. About 6:30, early afternoon (2 PM or so), and early evening.

 

[americanbwana]

More pictures

 

[cnelk]

Swede
I went thru all of my trail cam pic from last year and there was no general consensus when elk showed.
Some were at 7am - some at 9am - some at noon - in the afternoon and during the night.

But...
Most of my pics were from July and August. Maybe once the elk get closer to the rut, then times would be more predictable?

 

[Tdiesel]

I never have noticed much pattern to when the elk show up but usually during hunting season with pressure In my area I find that water in the evening time is great. I think the morning rush hits and the elk hurry back to the bedding grounds as fast as they can then wait there all day in the evening they are just itching to get a nice cold drink of water I have one opening I can watch from about a half mile away and it has a stream running though it along toward evening the elk file out in it and get a drink first then they spread out and graze. again this is just what I have observed in this area

 

[Swede]

Before the archery season begins, it seems the elk appear at random. There is little evidence that one time is better than another. After the season starts, I see most elk in the late afternoon and in the evening. Are the elk conditioned to change their routine after hunters invade the woods?

 

[cnelk]

Thats a good thought Swede.
Most hunters spend more time in the mornings, R & G as they say.
That could contribute the shift in patterns

Hmmmm..