In Search Of A Honey Hole

[Swede]

Especially as a tree stand elk hunter, I am always looking for that perfect place where I can place a stand in the perfect tree and wait for an elk. Sure it would be great to get a monster bull, but it is not critical. I want an undisturbed place that elk come to on a frequent basis.
Even if you do not tree stand hunt elk, you probably are not just wandering around. You have some idea where you want to hunt, because have some idea elk will be there.
So what are you looking for and how do you go about finding it?
I prefer wet spots in fairly dry areas, near bedding grounds. I locate most (75%) of them on G.E. or ACME Mapper 2.0. The others I come upon by chance, when I go to check out places I located at home on the computer.

 

[elkmtngear]

I\'m also looking for \"wet\" areas on the edges of prospective bedding areas.

Particularly, I\'m looking for a MAJOR trail leading from bedding areas to feeding areas, and with all the blowdown stuff in the timber, elk will sometimes channel down the same main trail on a regular basis.

I followed one of these down out of a dark timber patch last Season, and it got wider and wider, and the creek bottom at the outlet was covered in fresh tracks and scat. This is the kind of ambush spot I know I can set up in, and depend on elk showing up.

The ideal area where I hunt is North facing dark timber patch (heavily timbered), with a creek in the bottom, and a South Facing, semi-open slope adjacent. If I can find a main outlet trail near the creek, these spots can really pay off. :upthumb:

 

[cnelk]

First thing I look at and wonder if the average elk hunter would go there.
If yes, it\'s not a honey hole.
But that place doesn\'t have to be steep or deep or far.

 

[mtnmutt]

The ideal area where I hunt is North facing dark timber patch (heavily timbered), with a creek in the bottom, and a South Facing, semi-open slope adjacent. If I can find a main outlet trail near the creek, these spots can really pay off. :upthumb:

This describes almost to the letter a honey hole I found after muzzleloader started, mid-September. In my case, the semi-open slope is SE facing with rarely found aspens in my area. Since my new honey hole is also the elks\' sanctuary after muzzleloader starts, I would add in at least 1 mile from a road.

Other features I look for are well worn game trails with fresh sign in mid to late August that lead to a bench. The game trails follow hill contours that provide a gradual ascent to the bench. Also add in a rock field (talus) or other difficult terrain feature (ex: deadfall) next to or near the game trail. The location then becomes a funnel point for the elk traveling to and from the bench. Unlike saddles that every hunter knows about, these other subtle funnel points are overlooked by most hunters.

Honey Holes pre-ML are different than the honey holes after ML starts. If it\'s pre-ML, it must be >0.5 mile from a road. After ML, it has to be >0.75mile from a road. Otherwise, the competition will be too high for me to consider it as a honey hole in my current hunting area.

 

[elkmtngear]

Honey Holes pre-ML are different than the honey holes after ML starts. If it\'s pre-ML, it must be >0.5 mile from a road. After ML, it has to be >0.75mile from a road. Otherwise, the competition will be too high for me to consider it as a honey hole in my current hunting area.

This is spot on. These areas I\'m finding are 1 1/2 to 2 miles from the road, and I take advantage of them post Muzzy Season. Before ML Season, I have historically found elk much closer to the roads.

 

[Swede]

Jeff and Patricia are making an interesting point, at least to my way of thinking. Where I have hunted for years there are very, very few places over 3/4 mile from a road. Instead the elk go to a ranch for sanctuary, about the time Archery Season begins. The only difference between what Gear and Mutt are seeing, and what I have experienced is based on what is available for an elk refuge.

 

[iccyman001]

Another vote for water or wet, but man we have a spot this year that is a cross road intersection that is at a gene break. It\'s where they are traveling too and from food, bedding, and water.... I can\'t wait to sit over it in a climber

 

[StartMyHunt]

You have all hit on some of the parameters I use to delineate my hot spots.

Distance from roads is key.

Ease of access is another.

Nearby water source.

And the last is the amount of available forage.

Forage, Cover, and Water define where the elk will be located throughout the year. Once hunting season starts, pressure is the dominant factor. If you are lucky enough to find a place where elk will retreat to and have their three basic needs, you have found a honey hole.

Mike

 

[Swede]

Based on what I am reading above, it seems that honey holes can range from minute (1/4 acre) to huge. By one explanation it seems you just go where no one else will, and you have found a honey hole. I know that was not the real intent, but I am now interested in what you think a honey hole is?

 

[mtnmutt]

Based on what I am reading above, it seems that honey holes can range from minute (1/4 acre) to huge. By one explanation it seems you just go where no one else will, and you have found a honey hole. I know that was not the real intent, but I am now interested in what you think a honey hole is?

Honey hole: I have a 66-100% chance of seeing or hearing an elk at that spot on any given day. At the very least, if I go there for 3 days in a row, I will see or hear an elk 2 out of those 3 days. Plus, I won\'t see another hunter. Finding elk is such a huge part of the game that I base it solely on finding elk. While others may base it on their success in filling their tag at those locations.

I am also curious on what others think a honey hole is.

 

[cohunter14]

Honey hole: I have a 66-100% chance of seeing or hearing an elk at that spot on any given day. At the very least, if I go there for 3 days in a row, I will see or hear an elk 2 out of those 3 days. Plus, I won\'t see another hunter. Finding elk is such a huge part of the game that I base it solely on finding elk. While others may base it on their success in filling their tag at those locations.

This is very similar to what I would call a honey hole. A spot where if I get there at the right time and spend time there, I will see elk. It might not be the first day, it might not be the second day, but sooner or later I know the elk will be there and they\'ll be there every year. The problem with honey holes is that once you are used to the elk eventually showing up each year, it is expected. So when they stop showing up, it can take a few years to figure out it\'s not a honey hole anymore.

 

[mandrroofing]

K

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk