Elk camp location?

[bullony]

I'm wondering what a safe distance is to camp from our elk hunting area. I understand elk could be any where, but as a general rule of thumb, what do y'all think? My plan is to camp at about 10,200'. The peak is 11,600' and rises higher to a second bare peak to 12,400'. I want to be able to hike across the mountain in the morning rather than up it. I expect to hunt within 1.6 miles either left or right, as I have found elk there before. Last time I camped at 9000' and felt like I lost a ton of time just getting to elevation.

So am I pushing a comfort level for the elk?

[bigskinny]

I like your idea of not hiking up, the one time we camped we went high to get away from most huunters and less time to get to hunting location in the morning. Although we hunted 2-5 miles from camp.

[az2tx]

That depends on what type of camp you plan on having. If you have a camp with fires at night, guys making noise at night, plan on being in the next basin over.
If you want to go in quiet, no fires, keeping the scent and noise down you can stay pretty close.

[Whirlwind]

Where I elk hunt I have never had a issue with scaring elk off by camping out in their area. Even with fires and what not I still would continue to find the elk right in the same pockets that I have always found them. So I think your idea is great to try and cut down on time spent getting to the area you want to be by camping closer.

[bullony]

Awesome feedback. It's always appreciated.

[Pernell]

Have you ever looked lower for Elk? I hunted Colorado for a long time and we did not have any luck going high too many hunter. One year we decided to scout down low and found more Elk there than up high and less pressure and finally started killing Elk. Good Luck

[Landrover]

tough call! But if u can evaluate how much pressure will be in the area that would help with the decision. Also, if temps are horrible they will be lower.

[Bonbonjovi]

we camp about 2 miles from where we hunt when we are in Colorado...when we hunt Idaho my friend lives about 10 minutes from our hunting areas,so we drive up and make the ascent up..