How far from the road

[Deertick]

We all know that hunters start hunting from the road system, for the most part, and so most hunting activity is confined to areas near roads.

If we want to say that 80% of hunters venture only \"so far\" from roads, how far is \"so far\"?

(NOTE: I realize that often elk are found near roads. Heck, I\'ve seen them on roads! I realize, contrary to what some might suspect based on my hunting style, that hunting near roads may be very productive, and that further is not always better in these matters. But, as a matter of general discussion, I\'m just wondering ... how far do most (80%) go?)

As a secondary question, suppose the road parallels a slope. Hunters can park and go uphill or downhill. Are the distances walked by \"most hunters\" different, and if so, how so?

My answers: My guess is that 80% of hunting activity is confined to within 1 mile of the road system, and that very few venture more than 1/2 mile if it\'s downhill, while uphill they will go further.

 

[Swede]

I think you are correct,, Tick.
Where I hunt, I was the Forest Service person charged with planning road closures. I had an objective of reducing road density, so that roads were one mile apart. I never came close to meeting that. I would say my stands are about 1/2 mile from a road on average, as I try to go for the more \"remote\" areas.
I have seen tree stands as I drove by them. One hunter killed his bull opening morning, while in a tree right next to an open road.

 

[Zpd307]

in Colorado I was anywhere from 1-4 miles from a road. 2 years ago I stumbled across a bull\'s bedding area just under a mile from the road, but most were 3+ miles away. in Idaho, most of my elk activity was 1-1.5 miles from the road/camp. some were bedded higher/farther away. but why go that far when you are getting into them closer?

 

[cnelk]

Last fall I experienced decent encounters close to the road [1/4 mi - 1/2 mi] but i dont believe it last very long.
I call it Low Hanging Fruit.
I think after a mile from any road/trail you should consistently have good elk encounters, providing you hunt it correctly

 

[OldMan]

Someday i\'m going to show someone an area that is only 300yds from a major hwy. Elk live there year around, and you\'ll never see a human foot print there unless it\'s mine, or my gunsmiths. As long as my gunsmith is alive I won\'t show it to anybody, but if I outlive him i\'ll pass it on to someone I can trust.

I\'m not one to mount antlers, but my gunsmith is. He has a beautiful 7x6 taken from that area. It\'s the last place that you\'d think held elk, and that\'s why it\'s lasted so long.

My point is never eliminate any area for elk. Check out everything. You may be surprised.

The biggest problem my gunsmith and I have with the above area? Getting an elk out of there without being seen. (we usually do it in the middle of the night)

 

[Deertick]

Thanks for the replies ... but ...

I was wondering what people guess regarding how far \"most\" hunters venture from the road ... not whether or not that\'s a good idea.

As I said above, I realize that there are plenty of elk near roads, and plenty of them far away. The questions of how ELK position themselves relative to roads might be a good topic, too ... but the topic I\'m interested in here is how do HUNTERS ON AVERAGE (not you, or me) position themselves relative to roads.

Still Hunter ... that is a great problem to have, though -- not being seen toting elk parts out of a spot.

 

[otcWill]

In Colorado, I\'d say a solid 90% are within 1mile of a road.

The next question is what percentage of elk on public land are within 1 mile of a road. The answer would stagger a few of the guys hoping to hike \"deep into the backcountry\".

 

[cohunter14]

In Colorado, I\'d say a solid 90% are within 1mile of a road.

I would agree with that and I would even be willing to guess that it is less. I would say 80%+ will not go 1/2 mile from the road. I don\'t know if I have ever run into or seen another hunter outside of those distances. Keep in mind that I hunt during rifle season, where everyone wears orange. This is why I always laugh when people talk about Colorado being a \'sea of orange\' during rifle seasons. They are right if you are not venturing far from the roads :lol:

 

[OldMan]

Sort of like being a sea of camo and face paint during bow season.