Elk will run as far as they can when spooked. But usually, they return to their bedding area. In that case, you don’t want to pressure them. Let them cool down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be careful because breaking into their “safe area,” elks will delve deeper into the forest, and it’ll be impossible to find them. Don’t let them detect you anywhere near this area. Likewise, don’t hunt or call near your camp. If they notice your base, they’ll instinctively know you’re up to no good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elks don’t enjoy human company in general. The minute they hear a truck approaching, they’re gone. Plus, they tend to go as far as possible from civilization. Years of elk hunting taught them that humans are bad news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, when hunting elk, assume they’re already spooked. For that reason, you need to understand elk’s behavior when they’re nervous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re hunting without a guide or outfitter, scout the area yourself. Elk are always on the move. Finding them in some area doesn’t mean you’ll find them in the same place a few days later. Scout the area before the hunt to get an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An elk hunting truism is, “go where the grass is.” But some elk hunters would add, “go where the water is.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the elk, it’s a risk to return to the same area where they encountered a hunter. You’ll need to follow them from a distance after the encounter. Unless they’re mortally afraid of you, they’ll return. Hopefully, they aren’t spooked enough to flee the area entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s not like they’ll forsake the area forever. But there are a lot of other regions they can escape to. The law of nature is when you chase something; it tends to get away from you. When you spook your elk, back off, don’t keep pressuring them, or you’ll chase them even farther. There are cases when you want to keep the pressure, as explained later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, just scout another area. Elk don’t have a strong memory, but they learn from experience. They’ll return when they feel safe. Like, when nobody is threatening them. So, try going back two nights later. If they’re going to return, they’ll do it at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They’re herd animals that feel safe together. So, your herd is more likely to return when there’s no sign of danger. Back off a little, and give them more space before you try again. They’re also familiar animals, and they’ll stick to the places they know, especially where they find food and water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When trying to relocate your elk, use the same tracking methods for locating elks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n