Elk are getting smart after getting shot at for months.

[USMC88-93]

But apparently my English sucks can a mod fix that ridiculous use of the English language in the thread title (Elk are get smart..... should read Elk are getting smart after being shot at for months.. ...Jesus, I must be tired after that drive back we lost an alternator and a battery on the top of Rabbit Ears Pass during a pretty good storm on the top, it was a very long night.)

We filled 2 of 4 tags on the Big Gulch Ranch just north of Craig this weekend (Ranching for wildlife license). The Elk get out in the most open non vegetation area they can find and bunch up so they can see anything coming at them in all directions. There were at least 4 huge groups running around the ranch along with all the stragglers that have not joined up yet. The only reason I didnt fill my tag is my own personal marksmanship on moving targets as I had ample opportunity.

This picture is maybe 30 percent of this particular group.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/PhotoTWB/Elk%20hunt%202015%20Big%20Gulch%20Ranch/DSCN0027_zps4eaxofxm.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PhotoTWB/media/Elk%20hunt%202015%20Big%20Gulch%20Ranch/DSCN0027_zps4eaxofxm.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/PhotoTWB/Elk%20hunt%202015%20Big%20Gulch%20Ranch/elk%20ridge%202_zpsix5gca2y.png (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PhotoTWB/media/Elk%20hunt%202015%20Big%20Gulch%20Ranch/elk%20ridge%202_zpsix5gca2y.png.html)

[rondog]

Damn, tough shooting for sure. Poor animals must be mighty hungry too, looks like not much forage for them.

[MarkCO]

That is pretty typical when the snow gets over a foot deep. They are herded up like that all over and if you can get to them, you can sometimes walk right into the herd. Have done it many times out there. We were further West and watched at herd of 300 turn into a herd of about 1000 yesterday.

[USMC88-93]

Damn, tough shooting for sure. Poor animals must be mighty hungry too, looks like not much forage for them.

No they are eating very good even right there where they are at. There are fields of winter wheat everywhere up there and they move around a lot, snow was anywhere from 8 inches to several feet depending on where the wind pushed it. The first morning we put in about 5 miles total (in and out) crossing a number of hills and ridge lines to out flank a smaller group. We got to within 60 yards or so of the crest of hill they were right behind and one of the group popped its head over the top of a hill and busted us. By the time we got to the top they were at least 8-900 yards away.


That is pretty typical when the snow gets over a foot deep. They are herded up like that all over and if you can get to them, you can sometimes walk right into the herd. Have done it many times out there. We were further West and watched at herd of 300 turn into a herd of about 1000 yesterday.

I know, it is more of a rhetorical "woe is me for not getting an elk" sympathy post. We did get to within 50-60 yards once. (but they were just over the crest when we were busted as I stated previously). The two we shot were running shots 90 degrees to us about 220 yards out. There was ample opportunity multiple times I just missed.

[rondog]

Good to hear they're eating OK! I hate hearing about animals starving in winter, breaks my heart. I'd love to get a chance to try for an elk someday.

[CO Hugh]

cool

[USMC88-93]

There was a lot more to this group behind the ridge to the left still working their way up to the right.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/PhotoTWB/Elk%20hunt%202015%20Big%20Gulch%20Ranch/DSCN0027_zps4eaxofxm.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PhotoTWB/media/Elk%20hunt%202015%20Big%20Gulch%20Ranch/DSCN0027_zps4eaxofxm.jpg.html)