The main goal of scouting for elk and mule deer is to locate animals and the spots where you’ll likely encounter them during your hunting season. Scouting also helps you obtain a better understanding of the terrain you’re hunting. The following guide provides insight into likely bedding areas, food sources, and natural funnels to ensure you’re able to spend your time in the field as efficiently as possible.
The main goal of scouting for elk and mule deer is to locate animals and the spots where you’ll likely encounter them during your hunting season. Scouting also helps you obtain a better understanding of the terrain you’re hunting. The following guide provides insight into likely bedding areas, food sources, and natural funnels to ensure you’re able to spend your time in the field as efficiently as possible.
From analyzing the terrain you’ll be hunting, to checking wind forecast the night before, onX Hunt puts the most powerful scouting tool in your hands.
Mark, customize, and share Waypoints for wallows, rubs, trails, and other sign to help you understand possible animal movement. Use the Tracker to map these routes, then share your Tracks with friends or family so they can easily follow your footsteps. Use the Line Distance Tool to plan hunting routes and gauge distance and elevation for your hike.
Understanding the lay of the land is a critical factor in determining the success of your hunt, and our 3D Maps on desktop and mobile allow you to do exactly that. Combined with features like the Hybrid Basemap, the ability to view 3D Maps and 3D Exaggeration gives you the tools you need to understand how animals move across the landscape and where you need to be to cross their paths.
Pinpoint quality food sources with the Historic Wildfire Layer, or get away from the crowds with the Roadless Areas Layer. Easily add these Layers and more to your map from the Layer Library.
Save an Offline Map before any trip into the field—even areas with widespread cell coverage may have small pockets in which service might drop out. In the event that you find yourself in an area with spotty or nonexistent cell service, you’ll still have access to your map.
Once you have your hunting spot picked out, the next step is knowing the weather forecast and how it’s going to impact your hunt. Live weather reports, weather forecasts, wind direction, sunrise / sunset times, and barometric pressure are all curated within the Hunt App to keep everything you need in one convenient place.
Know exactly which types of crops and trees you’re looking at on aerial imagery across the country. These layers take the guesswork out of what the landscape will hold for food sources, cover, and diversity.
Join Cody Rich and the onX Crew for a deep dive into e-scouting for mule deer. Cody Rich will walk us through the tools and tactics he uses to find deer on a consistent basis, helping set you up for your best season yet.
Follow along to see 5 different ways we use OnX hunt to become more successful in the elk woods.
25:44
Follow along with Kody as he gives his insight on scouting and mapping out a Colorado elk hunt using onX Hunt.
21:02
Last but not least we cover the great state of New Mexico, giving you the ultimate tips and tricks to finding public land elk.
10:56
How to E-Scout for early season bull elk using the onXmap.
16:31
Hopefully this video helps you guys get an idea of how to scout an area you’ve never been to with OnXHunt maps. Good luck this year!
18:13
How to E-Scout for early season bull elk using the onXmap.
16:31
One of the most useful tools we use is OnX maps. From pre scouting at home to in the field use we always rely on our OnX.
19:39
Eastmans’ Dan Pickar breaks down how to use onX Hunt to understand and read terrain when you’re hunting or scouting for an upcoming hunt.
5:19
This review features onX hunt’s crop layer an dhow to use it to expand your hunting opportunities.
1:41
This onX hunt review features a new layer to help hunters navigate regulations related to CWD or Chronic Wasting Disease.
5:47
SOLO HNTR TV is a self-filmed documentary of extreme hunting adventures through the eyes of the HNTR.
18:16
Isaiah gives you a quick walkthrough of his methods when E-scouting for archery elk using both onX Maps and Huntin’ Fool’s map.
16:55
Being from the south, a lot of times we have no idea what a wallow may look like, what a shelf is, or how to find a saddle. Well in this video we show you exactly what they look like in person and on the map.
16:08
In this episode, Brad explains why its so crucial to carefully lay out your preferred route in from the trailhead to camp and why its important to makes sure the route is hidden from the prying eyes of deer you might be after.
3:31
In this five-part tutorial series, Brad will lay out some of the top strategies he uses when e-scouting using OnX Hunt before his high country mule deer hunts. In this episode, the second of five, Brad explains why he likes to drop pins where it looks like big muley bucks might like to hang out and where he might want to glass while using OnX at home.
2:47
In this five-part tutorial series, Brad will lay out some of the top strategies he uses when e-scouting using OnX Hunt before his high country mule deer hunts. In this episode, the third of five, Brad explains why he likes to drop pins on likely looking glassing spots while using OnX at home.
2:17
In this five-part tutorial series, Brad will lay out some of the top strategies he uses when e-scouting using OnX Hunt before his high country mule deer hunts. In this episode, number four of five, Brad explains why scouting out hidden backcountry campsites from home using OnX has been beneficial on his high country mule deer hunts.
2:25
In this five-part tutorial series, Brad will lay out some of the top strategies he uses when e-scouting using OnX Hunt before his high country mule deer hunts. In this episode, the last of five, Brad discusses why he likes to e-scout for potential high country water sources he can use to replenish his water while backpack hunting.
4:00
Learn
If you ask me, there are two hunts on which mule deer get the most press. One is early-season high-country hunts that happen in the August/early September time frame. The other’s the late-season rut hunts that can range anywhere between November to January. Both are incredible in their own right…
Hunt App
Looking to optimize your elk e-scouting? Cody Rich shares how he finds elk, including his step-by-step process for creating Plans A, B, and C.
Learn
Get pointers on choosing the best camping spots during archery elk. Maximize success by avoiding game disruption, staying near water, and adapting to the terrain.
Research & Planning
Elk hunting is likely on every hunter’s list of must-do hunts. See what you need to know about elk hunting, where to hunt elk, and how to have a successful hunt.
Learn
Brush up on black bear hunting tips, see how spring scouting compares to fall, and dive into state-by-state snapshots of black bear hunting seasons and regs.
Hunt App
Curious how to find property lines? onX Hunt shows private property lines across the United States and Canada.
Put the best e-scouting tools available at your fingertips with an onX Hunt Subscription
Interested in elk hunting, but not sure where to start? Read our guide on How To Start Hunting for tips on how to learn more about hunting, how to gear up, and how to gain experience in the field.
With onX Hunt, you can scout from anywhere at any time of year right from your home on your computer. When hunting season draws nearer, make sure you’re going out into the field to scout and study elk herd movement.
As the season approaches, it’s important not to alert prey to your presence and patterns. Ensure that you have done your scouting well in advance of hunting season to avoid spooking elk.
See our other onX e-scouting guides for deer, waterfowl and upland birds.