Back in Europe rain was the worst weather for red deer hunting. They'd all hole up in the thick stuff somewhere and wouldn't come out.

I've found a nice elk in them there mountains on Sunday, and I'd planned to go after him this afternoon and tomorrow, but the weather is looking pretty bismal.

Are elk as finicky about weather as red deer? Do they leave cover to graze in the open when the rain (and up there probably wet snow) is falling?

On top of that, the mountains seems to be well engulfed by clouds... can't see very far in the fog... anybody hear some bugling yet? A bit of noise might direct the stalk.

Could postpone till Saturday/Monday/Tuesday when the forecast is better.

Any thoughts? Newby elk hunter could use your wisdom.

Frans

Depends where you are to some degree. In the north boreal (Aspen/Cottonwood forests) they really shut down in the rain. And there is not necessarily a predictable place to find them.

In the mountains, they hole up in what some guys in the US call "black timber". Its basically just thick spruce/balsam forest. They gets lots of cover from rain, snow and heat in there. Usually not the easiest to sneak into quitely either. But if you understand forest cover and terrain, it is pretty easy to find.

Hunting elk in the rain isn't usually all that productive, but its better than watching someone else hunt on TV, and you surely won't get an elk from your couch!

Cheers,
Canuck

Hello Frans;
I've stalked elk in cutblocks in pouring rain and sleet. Didn't seem to bother them. What I did find was that they dodn't like wind. We once spent 3 windy days without seing a thing and as soon as the wind died off, there they were. I've been told they can't hear predators over the wind, so they prefer to hide out.
Grizz