Elk are getting smart after getting shot at for months.

[USMC88-93]

Damn, tough shooting for sure. Poor animals must be mighty hungry too, looks like not much forage for them.

No they are eating very good even right there where they are at. There are fields of winter wheat everywhere up there and they move around a lot, snow was anywhere from 8 inches to several feet depending on where the wind pushed it. The first morning we put in about 5 miles total (in and out) crossing a number of hills and ridge lines to out flank a smaller group. We got to within 60 yards or so of the crest of hill they were right behind and one of the group popped its head over the top of a hill and busted us. By the time we got to the top they were at least 8-900 yards away.

That is pretty typical when the snow gets over a foot deep. They are herded up like that all over and if you can get to them, you can sometimes walk right into the herd. Have done it many times out there. We were further West and watched at herd of 300 turn into a herd of about 1000 yesterday.

I know, it is more of a rhetorical "woe is me for not getting an elk" sympathy post. We did get to within 50-60 yards once. (but they were just over the crest when we were busted as I stated previously). The two we shot were running shots 90 degrees to us about 220 yards out. There was ample opportunity multiple times I just missed.