Elk Ambushes

Trails, crossings, funnels and bottle-necks. These are all important to the whitetail hunter's "read" of his hunting territory. They should be part of the elk hunter's scouting and hunting strategies as well. Deer and elk both have to walk somewhere. Given a choice that doesn't put them in danger, they'll walk the easiest route possible. Of course in elk country "easy" is a relative term. However, by its sheer ruggedness, elk habitat tends to bottle-neck and funnel travel lanes to an even greater extent than in most deer habitat. You can find some really well-beaten elk trails simply because they offer the only reasonable way to get from point A to point B. Smaller trails into and around the most rugged cover in the area are likely an old bull's secret avenues to a favorite hideout. Elk sign is generally similar to deer sign and laid out in similar patterns. However, it is usually on a larger scale and over a wider swath of countryside.