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. If 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 walks through the tools and tactics he uses to find deer consistently, helping set you up for your best season yet.
Follow along to see five 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
We cover the great state of New Mexico, giving you tips and tricks to finding public land elk.
10:56
Learn how to e-scout western states using the Hunt App.
16:31
Get tips on scouting an area you’ve never been to with onX Hunt maps.
18:13
Learn how to e-scout for early season bull elk using the Hunt App.
16:31
Get tips on using the Hunt App for late season e-scouting.
19:39
Eastmans’ Dan Pickar breaks down how to use onX Hunt to understand and read terrain.
5:19
This review features onX Hunt’s crop layer and how 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. We show you exactly what they look like in person and on the map.
16:08
Brad explains why it’s so crucial to carefully lay out your preferred route in from the trailhead to camp and why it’s important to make sure the route is hidden from the prying eyes of deer you might be after.
3:31
Brad explains his approach to dropping pins where it looks like big muley bucks might like to hang out.
2:47
Brad explains how he e-scouts for likely glassing spots.
2:17
Brad explains why scouting out hidden backcountry campsites from home using onX has been beneficial on his high country mule deer hunts.
2:25
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
Research & Planning
onX’s Matt Seidel shares lessons learned from two DIY Alaskan moose hunts so you can gain a stronger understanding of how the terrain you see on-screen translates into real-world experiences.
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
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
Josh Kirchner walks onX Hunt users through e-scouting for spring black bears.
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 bird.