View Full Version : Why are the elk so low so early?
I’ve seen three small herds in the last three days-i70 and c470, 93 between boulder and Golden and just today at i70 at the Genesee exit. It seems early to see so many so low? Any thoughts on how this might effect hunting season?
Same reason the birds are migrating early. Going to be a rough winter this year.
I’m not complaining. Less walking for me. :)
SideShow Bob
09-04-2018, 19:11
I haven’t seen any woolly bear caterpillars yet to corroborate your prediction.
Yet I did see a very large herd of elk today, (approx 40 or more) just west of the NREAL wind technologies facilities on SH 128 east of SH 93.
Same reason the birds are migrating early. Going to be a rough winter this year.
I've been trying to decide if 2nd season is the right season or if I should delay to 3rd (I hunt near Kremmling) but if winter is going to be "rough" 2nd season might make more sense.
I personally hope it’s a nasty winter I grew up in the mountains and miss having to shovel 3-4 ft of snow.
I personally hope it’s a nasty winter I grew up in the mountains and miss having to shovel 3-4 ft of snow.
I wouldn't offer this to just anyone, but since I like you I'm gonna allow you to come over and shovel snow anytime we have some in the driveway. [ROFL2]
I wouldn't offer this to just anyone, but since I like you I'm gonna allow you to come over and shovel snow anytime we have some in the driveway. [ROFL2]
My snow shovel friend rate is exorbitant.
But Just like all hobbies one finds peace, and tastes the sweetness like sweat freezing while working outside in the snow peace.
I blame my parents mostly they did this to me
There’s been almost nonstop lightning for about 20 minutes to the north of me in Gilpin county and I can hear the elk moving to lower elevation at a pretty good speed
Trees were already turning in breckinridge this weekend. Almost a month earlier than normal
This year's hunt might be interesting for everyone. As far as the severity of this coming winter, it's supposed to snow a lot in some parts of the mountains, but be very mild almost everywhere else.
hurley842002
09-05-2018, 06:06
As far as the severity of this coming winter, it's supposed to snow a lot in some parts of the mountains, but be very mild almost everywhere else.
Overall I'm done with cold weather altogether, but seeing as this may be my last winter here, I wouldn't mind going out with a bang!
Probably no correlation with current weather and elk being seen low. Some elk live "low" year round, such as those out around Elbert, and those around Sedalia. That's where they live and you can bet there's still lots of elk up high right now, right where they live all summer long.
Probably no correlation with current weather and elk being seen low. Some elk live "low" year round, such as those out around Elbert, and those around Sedalia. That's where they live and you can bet there's still lots of elk up high right now, right where they live all summer long.
True, and I'm not expecting a particularly early or severe winter given the current drought. What we can count on is that water will be the primary influence on the presence and movement of elk this year. It's very dry in the high country, especially on the Western Slope.
Yesterday we drove across the state with a detour to the area outside the Flat Tops where I've hunted elk for the past 34 years. My hunting grounds have been on fire since late July, and we watched a flare up on the mountain.The burn licked to within 50 feet of my campsite. But the burn area isn't nearly as complete as the fire maps indicate. Overall, I was pleased to find the fire had burned in a matrix of fingers through the forest leaving enough untouched habitat for elk and other animals to continue using the area. It will be interesting to see the changes in an area I know very well. I have two elk licenses and a bear tag for the area and can hardly wait to get back up there.
75984
https://www.ar-15.co/attachment.php?attachmentid=75984&d=1536163166
75985
https://www.ar-15.co/attachment.php?attachmentid=75985&d=1536163194
Do you feel that the elk may be easier to find because there is limited greenery? Like limited water for antelope?
Maybe, but I've never hunted a fresh burn area. It will be quieter walking because the dry branches and twigs are burned off, but so is the soft duff layer in the dark spruce-fir so those areas might be noisier, and there will still be dry aspen leaves scattered over it all. With most of the grasses and shrubs gone, it will be easier to see and be seen through the forest. As always, I'll hope for a fresh 4" layer of powder snow.
To quote one of the old guys that taught me a lot about Elk hunting...they are where they are and it takes us years to figure them out, just like Women.
It's been dry, I think the Elk are just following the food on top of yeah, there are some permanent heards in areas where you wouldn't think. I've read that based on eye witness accounts from forest fire fighters that Elk and other wildlife move back in to burn areas pretty much right after the fire passes by. I think a good bet would be to find untouched islands inside of burn areas this year.
It's been dry, I think the Elk are just following the food on top of yeah, there are some permanent heards in areas where you wouldn't think imagine. I've read that based on eye witness accounts from forest fire fighters that Elk and other wildlife move back in to burn areas pretty much right after the fire passes by. I think a good bet would be to find untouched islands inside of burn areas this year.
I think you're right and that's what I plan to do. One thing that's interesting is that when the oak, mountain mahogany and sage burns off, the game trails are still intact and become plainly visible. The trails are most likely to continue for decades until growth and falling trees reroutes the animals on new pathways.
76025
https://www.ar-15.co/attachment.php?attachmentid=76025&d=1536287980
76026
https://www.ar-15.co/attachment.php?attachmentid=76026&d=1536288041
gnihcraes
09-06-2018, 21:17
Report from archery camp - Not seeing any Elk on top of Flattops (Rifle), appears they have all moved down into the valleys already.
it's also a fairly big burn area (nearby) so that might have forced them out of the area too. (Cabin Creek Fire I believe)
Report from archery camp - Not seeing any Elk on top of Flattops (Rifle), appears they have all moved down into the valleys already.
it's also a fairly big burn area (nearby) so that might have forced them out of the area too. (Cabin Creek Fire I believe)
FWIW, the Cabin Creek Fire (which I've pictured) didn't touch the Flat Tops Wilderness or the Flat Tops Plateau, and the vast majority of the 20K+ elk there don't move off the top until snow builds up in late October and early November. A suggestion, the archery camp hunters might focus more time hunting and less on negative prognosticating. The elk are everywhere up there. The season is short, don't waste time in hunting camp. Be in the forest from dark to dark and you'll kill an elk. You have to decide what's important.
gnihcraes
09-06-2018, 22:23
FWIW, the Cabin Creek Fire (which I've pictured) didn't touch the Flat Tops Wilderness or the Flat Tops Plateau, and the vast majority of the 20K+ elk there don't move off the top until snow builds up in late October and early November. A suggestion, the archery camp hunters might focus more time hunting and less on negative prognosticating. The elk are everywhere up there. The season is short, don't waste time in hunting camp. Be in the forest from dark to dark and you'll kill an elk. You have to decide what's important.We'll I guess you know all about us and our hunting area and skill.
I can promise you its not like you think about my family and friends hunting the same areas for 40+ years.
Buford road and meadow lake roads were closed and much of the area north was off limits for a while. I'm not there to confirm any status nor did I look recently, thus why I'm reporting 2nd hand.
Pretty unfriendly I must say of you to comment in such a way.
Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk
No, I don't know about your group or their hunting skill, and I offered my comments as encouraging advice, not as criticism. But when you stated the second hand report that the elk have all moved down into the valleys already, I took it as complete nonsense, because it's not true. It appeared to be the same sort of defeatist negativity I hear from hunters every year who don't actually make the effort to hunt elk. If I'm wrong about your friends based on your post, I apologize. I don't mean to insult anyone. But I do know about elk and other animals in the Flat Tops area because I've backpacked, fished, hunted, researched wildlife and have guided there since the early sixties, and my family owned property there. So when I hear defeatist comments from hunters I dismiss it and try to direct them toward being successful.
gnihcraes
09-11-2018, 11:39
No, I don't know about your group or their hunting skill, and I offered my comments as encouraging advice, not as criticism. But when you stated the second hand report that the elk have all moved down into the valleys already, I took it as complete nonsense, because it's not true. It appeared to be the same sort of defeatist negativity I hear from hunters every year who don't actually make the effort to hunt elk. If I'm wrong about your friends based on your post, I apologize. I don't mean to insult anyone. But I do know about elk and other animals in the Flat Tops area because I've backpacked, fished, hunted, researched wildlife and have guided there since the early sixties, and my family owned property there. So when I hear defeatist comments from hunters I dismiss it and try to direct them toward being successful.
No defeatist in this group of hunters. Younger guys have gone down in places and successfully bagged one bull that I've heard of so far. Others are in their 70's and just can't move to the deeper places like they once were able. My father being one at 78, just can't manage the physical workout anymore. He's staying more up top in our favorite spots and not seeing a lot. FYI.
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