Hunt up or down?

[nclonghunter]

Where I hunt we camp low and hunt up the mountain in the mornings. It seems to work pretty well, but I have ended up chasing bulls up the mountain that get into dark timber and bed. I know some hunters that say they will only hunt down in the mornings. Any preference and why does it work for you?
I know packing one out works better going down.. ;D

 

[Kmbingham92]

It really comes down to knowing about thermals and paying attention to wind direction. You need to leave the option open if possible. In the morning I almost always hunt up using the thermals to my advantage. Once the thermals switch in the morning it is time to approach from above.

 

[Elkoholic]

Agree with everyone else. Depends on what thermals/wind is doing that determines my route.

 

[Bullhunter]

Its all about the wind and where the elk are at.  That will dictate where i hunt that day.

 

[lang]

It varies but more often than not morning and evening wind will go downhill midmorning to evening it goes up.  So I do accordingly hunt up morning and evening.  Stay hay midday so everything is down.

 

[Alder]

Which way do the thermals go again?

 

[nclonghunter]

Alder, up and down!

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Seems like most everyone else I play the wind/thermals.
I do enjoy getting up high to a good vantage point and glassing them up, but from there its all about the wind.

 

[MT_mulies]

I'm on the same page as everyone else. Just because of where we hunt our camp is usually on the top of the hill, but we hunt however the wind is telling us to. Usually we are to our spots or on our way before day light.

 

[Alder]

Ha! NC you are a riot. That is something my dad would say.

 

[ElkManDan]

I always hunt up.... unless the elk are down, then I go down!

 

[COelkaholic88]

Which way do the thermals go again?

Alder, hot air rises cold air sinks. A ridge that get first morning sun typically have thermals that rise. Don't forget to account for cold fronts or weather changes that may be in the days forecast.

 

[kikinhorse]

Thermals. Where we hunt start low, then if no luck swing wide wait for thermals and then get on top of them. Check wind constantly.

 

[Fullabull]

You will probably find more elk up high but I have also found quite a few down low. My dad can't walk real far and cannot climb high so we always have to hunt low and we always find elk although not as many as I know are up high by talking to other hunters.

 

[lang]

Oops my earlier post should be stay high midday, not stay hay?  No wonder everyone is confused.  In my defense staying by hay would probably work well, but I've never tried it.

 

[Jeremiah Johnson]

During archery season I dont personally hunt either direction with purpose, until I get into an exchange with a bull and then I will run if needed up or down to get the wind in my favor, continually checking it as the encounter gets closer and closer. 

 

[Jeff Melville]

Sometimes it helps to hunt on the same "level" as the elk.

 

[Fullabull]

One thing for sure, I always start calling or making elk sounds as soon as I enter the woods. I think a lot of folks pass by a lot of elk by just walking to where the want to start hunting. The fact is, you start hunting the minute you enter the woods
I have had a lot of elk respond to my elk sounds while walking through the woods to our normal hunting places. So whether you are headed up or down, always hunt!