Scouting for Elk in the Mountains of Colorado
Every successful elk hunt starts long before opening day. Whether you’re chasing bulls with a bow in September or glassing ridges during rifle season, scouting is the key to finding elk in the rugged Colorado mountains. Knowing where they feed, bed, and travel can make the difference between a long week of hiking and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
At Mountain View Adventures, located in Rangely, Colorado, we spend countless hours scouting elk across more than 350,000 acres of BLM land. Here’s what every hunter should know about finding elk in the Rockies.
Understanding Elk Habitat
Elk are constantly on the move, following food, water, and safety. In the early season, they tend to stay high — often above 9,000 feet — where cool temperatures and green feed keep them comfortable. As snow starts to fall, they move down into lower elevations to find easier food sources and milder weather.
When scouting, look for:
Fresh tracks and droppings
Rubs and wallows (especially during rut)
South-facing slopes for morning bedding
North-facing timber for shade during mid-day heat
These signs often lead you right into their core areas.
Timing Your Scouting
The best time to scout is a few weeks before your hunt. In August and early September, bulls are still in bachelor groups, feeding heavily and growing antlers. As the rut begins, their behavior changes quickly — cows become the focus, and bulls move frequently.
If you can, spend time glassing at sunrise and sunset. Elk are most active during these hours, and you’ll be able to pattern their movement without disturbing them.
Using Technology to Your Advantage
Modern scouting tools can make a big difference. Apps like OnX Hunt, BaseMap, and Google Earth help you study terrain, mark waypoints, and identify potential glassing spots long before you set foot on the mountain.
At Mountain View Adventures, our guides combine years of local knowledge with these tools to stay one step ahead of elk movement each season. Even experienced hunters are amazed by how much difference solid preseason scouting makes.
Reading the Land
The Colorado mountains are diverse — steep timbered ridges, open sage flats, and dark canyons all hold elk at different times of year. Learning to read these landscapes is part of the adventure.
Elk often bed in thick cover during the day, then travel to open meadows or agricultural fields to feed at night. Look for well-worn trails between these two areas. If you find tracks of multiple sizes — cows, calves, and bulls — you’re likely in the right place.
Scouting with Mountain View Adventures
For hunters who don’t live nearby, scouting can be tough. That’s where Mountain View Adventures comes in. Our guides spend the entire year learning elk patterns, checking trail cameras, and exploring new areas across our vast range of hunting land.
Whether you’re coming for a guided or semi-guided elk hunt, you’ll benefit from all that local knowledge — meaning less time searching and more time hunting.
The Reward of Doing It Right
There’s nothing quite like spotting elk where you planned for them to be. When your hard work and scouting pay off, every step up the mountain feels worth it. Scouting builds confidence, teaches patience, and gives you a deeper understanding of the animals you’re pursuing.
When you finally see that bull step out, you’ll know exactly why you put in the effort.
Ready to put your boots on the mountain? Book your Colorado elk hunt with Mountain View Adventures and let our experienced guides show you what a well-scouted hunt really feels like.