July News

July

Summer is in full swing during July. It’s hot in the valleys. Temperatures hit daily highs in the 80s and sometimes 90s. Elk seem to dislike heat as much as they dislike roads. Don’t tell that to the elk in Arizona, New Mexico and Southern Utah. Those elk don’t have a choice when it comes to cooler air. Colorado elk will often bed in dark timber around 10,000 feet in elevation. Some elk head to the tundra if the food is available. Fewer bugs, cool winds and the ability to see for long distances allow them to graze in comfort and security. They feel safe up high because they can see danger for a long ways. There are numerous grasses and plant life above tree line. You will also find pools of cold, clear water, lakes and small creeks - a result of snowmelt and natural springs. Be careful walking around up there. Tundra plants are very delicate. Stick to trails or rock out-cropping if you can. Drier summers have led to fewer elk living on the Tundra. It’s a very delicate climate and if it doesn’t get enough rain plants will once again return to their dormant state. The sun can be brutal at this elevation and dry up many plants if they don’t get a dose of afternoon rain.

If you find an aspen grove around 9 or 10,000 feet in elevation you will surely find lots of plant life under them. Aspen trees have a way of being cooler and greener than any part of the mountain landscape. Years of fallen leaves have created a very rich and green forest floor under the canopy of aspen trees. Elk and deer love these areas. You are also likely to find a water source like a creek or pond nearby. If left undisturbed and secluded many different types of wildlife will live here. However, that seclusion is hard to find. Many roads and hiking trails cut through the middle of aspen groves. The elk will frequent these places during first light and at dusk.

Elk shed their hair twice a year, once in May and then again around October. By the end of May they’ve shed their warm winter coat for a cooler summer coat. Their summer coat is made up of very fine hair much like a horse. During the transition elk will lose hair in clumps. Notice fences and trees along trails when you are out in elk country. You’ll often find lots of elk hair in the spring. But don’t let that make you think they are cold during the nights. Elk are extremely tolerant of cold temperatures. So more than likely they are hot even in 30-degree temperatures. Their summer hair is reddish brown on their bodies. Their necks and legs remain dark brown but can be bleached tan on top from the sun.

One caveat to spotting elk in July above tree line is they love to bed in the trees just below. This area is usually thick, dark, and cool, with many natural springs and small open meadows. Remember what we said about Elk being prey animals? Well, this sub alpine area offers great cover. A mature bull can enjoy his summer in complete solitude in this climate. So if you don’t see any elk above tree line grazing then check out the trees in the sub-alpine zone. Be sure these areas are North or West facing slopes. Elk prefer these areas because they are cooler than the South and East facing slopes. Plus, there is a lot more plant life for them to browse on. The going won’t be easy. These are old-wood forests and you’ll have to climb under or over many fallen trees. If you find a game trail walk on it or near it for easier walking. Remember elk in these areas will be bedded or browsing quietly. Expect them to see you before you see them. Either walk very slowly or stop often and glass the area with binoculars. Mature bulls love their solitary lives this time of year. You can bet they will hear or see you first, get up and slowly sneak away. You’ll be very lucky to see a big bull in this situation. You might try observing them during first light or near dusk in open areas or above tree line.

A little secret place big bulls will be found are those little open, grassy areas deep in the dark timber. They are hard to find but if you come across one mark it on your map. Remember really big elk act different. They can live in this area in complete comfort. These places are often shelves or benches on large ridges at elevations around 10,000 feet. Springs or seeps often are found in these areas. This provides everything a big elk needs, food, comfort and security. They can live here all summer if left undisturbed. If you happen upon such a place look around. It could be the elk circulate from bench to bench eating up the grass. Look for fresh scat and beds. These areas stand out because steep hills and dark forests surround them. The dark forests hardly let any sunlight through so the forest floor is all pine needles and sticks. So you can be walking along and suddenly break out into a very green, very wet, little meadow. You won’t find those on a map. Take GPS coordinates and remember the place. With a lot of time and sitting quiet you could catch a big bull returning to such a place in the late morning.

Cows will move in herd sizes from 5-30 or more. They have no problem being seen above tree line. The herd offers safety in numbers. Expect them to be in the trees by mid morning. They mimic the patterns of bull elk but aren’t nearly as persistent in being alone. They enjoy each other’s company year round.

Summer rains fall often in the mountains of Colorado. Expect to get wet if you are walking the Tundra in the afternoon. One of the causes for an early death is being above tree line during a thunderstorm. Lightening kills elk every year. It’s not a good place to be when any storm rolls in. Most storms are isolated and move fast. If you can wait it out or flank the storm you should be safer.

July in Colorado also means alfalfa hay! Elk will travel all the way down a mountain to browse on alfalfa hay all night long. It’s a rich plant that offers elk excellent nutrition. These areas are from 6-8,000 feet in elevation. It’s also where the elk will winter. The roots from an alfalfa plant can reach depths of 125 feet offering nutrients that are deep within the soil. Elk know this too. Many elk can be spotted taking advantage of a farmer’s alfalfa field during the summer. Farmers can harvest alfalfa up to 4 times a year. One acre can provide 1 ton of hay.

Because of July’s heat elk will be seen mostly in the mornings. Some elk are almost nocturnal. Bedding and re-chewing their food during the day in the security of the woods and venturing out at night to browse in valleys. If you want to spot an elk this time of year get out early and get up high.