Hunting South Slopes

Swede

New member
Mar 4, 2014
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I read posts on different forums advocating hunting North facing slopes. Apparently there are a number of people that have come to believe, that is the only place to find elk when the weather is hot. What are some factors that can favor South and West facing slopes, and are they worth our time?
 
Like when it is cooler or colder than normal the afternoon sun can feel good to a cold elk. I don\'t think the temp had anything to do with it but my bull I shot this year was on the west facing slope at 5pm eating grass. Fatal mistake for him as I was above and the afternoon thermals were uphill.
 
Ooooops I see you mentioned when the weather is hot. Well I am sure water on a south or west slope would make it cooler and darker timber might. Elk are where elk are for Food or Shelter why would they be anywhere else?
 
I think many people think north facing slopes are such places on the north side of a mountain.
This is far from the truth.
There are many dips and valleys on a south facing slope that can be cooler and hold plenty of elk in warm conditions
A north facing slope can be on a finger ridge that runs east west from a north south ridge.
It can also be on a north side of a small ridge on a south facing slope.
Find these hidey-holes and you will find elk.
 
The only herd with a bugling bull that I encountered all season was hanging out off and on a SE slope early morning until after 8 am and early evening. This was September 6th to the end of the season temps were 30\'s to 60s. It surprised me to see a cow and spike feeding in the full sun for an unseasonably warm morning. They only left when the wind shifted on us and they winded us.

It was a very steep slope. One wrong step and you roll down the hill. 70 yard wide by 300 yard long meadow starting below at the creek and going up to near the top of hill\'s aspens with aspens along the left and right. The upper aspens led into thick pines on the ridge/bench.

This meadow could be glassed from the road above to the SE about 1.5 miles away. We came to the conclusion that they get very little pressure because the 0.5-1 mile trek is a not stroll and it is a bear to climb the hill that they feed on.

6 years ago, The FS ripped up & blocked the trail\'s access running along the creek from above and below that takes us to this spot. The trail was designated non-motorized, however, dirt bikes and ATVs users had ignored the designation for years. Now, the area is a nice sweet spot that does not get daily hunting pressure, especially from firearm hunters.

For the last day of the season, at 5pm, another hunter observed a different herd filter out from timber below near the creek and start up the meadow to feed. By this time, the meadow was shaded. Unfortunately, the hunter was positioned up the slope thinking a herd would come down from the bench. He got winded.

Another surprise: the elk will come to the beaver ponds below at creek to drink, even though, there is plenty of secluded springs up on the bench.

In late September, I backpacked into to the area, but I was sneezing from a cold, so it was a bust. It will get more attention for next Summer\'s scouting. I need to figure out how to hunt that area without pushing the herds out. It may be best for ambush or spot and stalk.

My conclusion, regardless of weather, the elk will feed on southern slopes if they are not pressured and there is nearby shelter and water.

I had a lot of eye openers this past season, including this SE facing slope. Very pleasant surprises. 10 months until opening day to try out my theories about 3 new spots.
 
I\'ve never bought into that idea. Sure scientifically the NF slopes should be cooler but I found I\'ve encounter elk on any slope. The rule should be coolest area on the mountain is where you\'ll find elk. Someone told me once to \"focus on north facing slopes but don\'t forget about the east, west, and south facing slopes \". :crazy: Ok, focus on all sides of the mountain. Boy that\'s helpful! :D
 
Totally agree with John on this. I think the \"North facing slope\" thing is one of the biggest fallicies in elk hunting. Elk like cool/dark areas for bedding near their feed but they certainly don\'t have a compass. Even the cool and dark rule can be tossed out the window in many areas. I\'ve seen elk bedded directly in the sun in pinyon/juniper while all the hunters are searching 2k feet above them. They will always adjust to be unmolested.
 
\"otcWill\" said:
Elk like cool/dark areas for bedding near their feed but they certainly don\'t have a compass.

This and many other points here have been great. I too have seen elk out feeding in the middle of a very hot afternoon where there is no shade. Elk need food, water and security. They like cooler bedding areas. As Brad mentioned there are niches on generally South facing slopes that are cooler and if the other elements are present, you can find elk on South slopes.

\"otcWill\" said:
I think the \"North facing slope\" thing is one of the biggest fallacies in elk hunting.
AMEN! Sometimes hunting a dark timber area, where there is no feed will be totally unproductive.
 
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