Would this spot interest you?
- Thread starter cnelk
- Start date
Depends. Does it have rubs from 2 years ago, 3 years ago, 10 years ago? Does it have well used bedding (depressions in the ground from use year after year)? How accessible is it? Any trails or old roads nearby? Does it have well-established elk trails all around that have been used recently and for years? How much water is around?
I don\'t need all these questions answered just pointing out the things that might lead me to come back here in Sept. For the most part, I don\'t see anything in the pic that would get me too excited. For this to be an area of \"interest\" I\'d like to see sign like this every 100 yards in a square mile radius with elk trails that look like there\'s been a dirt bike rally in the high country leading from some nice bedding. I don\'t doubt this could be a good spot. I\'d just need to see more sign in the general area. I\'m guessing you guys saw that or it wouldn\'t have gotten ya \"giddy\"
I don\'t need all these questions answered just pointing out the things that might lead me to come back here in Sept. For the most part, I don\'t see anything in the pic that would get me too excited. For this to be an area of \"interest\" I\'d like to see sign like this every 100 yards in a square mile radius with elk trails that look like there\'s been a dirt bike rally in the high country leading from some nice bedding. I don\'t doubt this could be a good spot. I\'d just need to see more sign in the general area. I\'m guessing you guys saw that or it wouldn\'t have gotten ya \"giddy\"
elkmtngear
New member
- Aug 9, 2017
- 1,152
Looks like a really nice bench, Brad. Not sure where it is on the mountain, but could certainly be a great place to put a treestand if it is accessable (can you get in there without blowing elk out)?
Like Will mentions...heavily rutted trails in this area (with fresh elk droppings) would be the game changer for me!
Looks so much like many of the areas I hunt! \"Elky\" looking stuff!
Like Will mentions...heavily rutted trails in this area (with fresh elk droppings) would be the game changer for me!
Looks so much like many of the areas I hunt! \"Elky\" looking stuff!
Lark Bunting
New member
- Sep 14, 2016
- 710
Heck yes that would interest me! We\'d probably loop that area looking for fresh scat or a trail/foot prints, establish a direction and follow them. About that time, the elk would probably sneak in behind us and laugh at our dumbass mistake.
I am always interested in places like that, but I would prefer more than I see, and read, to get me to set a stand there. I just got back from a scouting trip where I found about 15 places similar to the one shown. The problem was that water holes, rubs and wallows were so frequent that no one individually stood out as a reliable place to ambush an elk.
We have debated calling from a stand several times, and I think our differences comes due to where we set up and the surrounding areas. This spot appears to be a decent location to wait for elk if you can\'t find one in a pass, or with multiple trails leading to it. If I set up at this spot I too would cow call some there as you do. It is a good idea to try and help draw the elk in to you, when the surrounding area has several equally inviting spots.
We have debated calling from a stand several times, and I think our differences comes due to where we set up and the surrounding areas. This spot appears to be a decent location to wait for elk if you can\'t find one in a pass, or with multiple trails leading to it. If I set up at this spot I too would cow call some there as you do. It is a good idea to try and help draw the elk in to you, when the surrounding area has several equally inviting spots.
cohunter14
Administrator
- Jul 10, 2017
- 5,431
Like others, I would want additional information but just judging by the picture I like what I see...good bench with a solid mix of black and quakies.
I didnt take a pic, but in another spot not too far away, we found a series of trails that converged into one major stream crossing.
We followed that trail for a bit to what Im guessing was the bedding area.
Would the trail system/steam crossing be of more interest [or less interest] than the small meadow/rubs/wallow?
Why?
We followed that trail for a bit to what Im guessing was the bedding area.
Would the trail system/steam crossing be of more interest [or less interest] than the small meadow/rubs/wallow?
Why?
elkmtngear
New member
- Aug 9, 2017
- 1,152
\"cnelk\" said:
Yes, especially if the crossing opened up at the end into a prospective feeding area. Elk tend to take the easiest route (which is why the trails converge), and I\'ve had a lot of success ambushing crossings like that, especially in the evenings when they come down to feed. If the big wide trails like that are few and far between along the creek (and they are not moo cow trails), they can be very reliable and productive. Wallows are sometimes \"iffy\" IMHO.
The steam crossing is of MUCH more interest to me. I placed a camera at 2 similar locations in June. It was the path they take from North facing timber bedding to food. One crossings provided the most security for them to reach the aspens where they fed, plus an opportunity to drink before heading to bedding and to food. The second one will be a hit or miss since it did not have as much security at the crossing, wasn\'t as much used and is more accessible to hunters.\"cnelk\" said:
I personally do not place cameras at meadows or food areas. I am much more interested in their frequent travel routes than their destinations. Meadows make for great trail cameras shots, but not a great place for me to hunt. I leave the meadows to other hunters set on hunting them. I am sure some hunters have success there.
I\'d be much more interested in deciphering where those trails came from and where they go. That will give a view of the bigger picture. That photo could be taken anywhere in the units you and I know. Throw a dart at the map and it will land on a spot that looks like that.
If the camp of 14 WI guys is a half mile below it and they\'ve been there \"scouting\" for four days before the season starts, all that will be is a nice looking bench with some week-old sign and boot tracks marching through the bedding area trails...
If the camp of 14 WI guys is a half mile below it and they\'ve been there \"scouting\" for four days before the season starts, all that will be is a nice looking bench with some week-old sign and boot tracks marching through the bedding area trails...
StartMyHunt
New member
- May 3, 2015
- 84
To my untrained eyes, it looks like there might already be a blind set up in the left middle. Also, was this picture taken during the sunrise or sunset.? My guess is sunset. Not sure why, but just because. The reason I say this is because all the trails converge at the top of this little bench. To me, that means they are moving up to their bedding areas.
Mike
Mike
JohnFitzgerald
New member
- Mar 31, 2014
- 1,108
\"Deertick\" said:
x2
AaronJohnson
New member
- Mar 4, 2014
- 240
You might consider it now....
AaronJohnson
New member
- Mar 4, 2014
- 240
or on this day...
AaronJohnson
New member
- Mar 4, 2014
- 240
or on Friday....
