However, if you get familiar with the area, you might be able to figure out what escape routes they use to leave the country or some particular steep nasty blow down country that they sneak into, if not private land. It doesn't always work though.
I'd agree with that but for a new guy coming out for the first time, I'd recommend he make sure the area is worth the time and effort before deciding to settle in and get familiar with any particular area. Not only seeing elk, but seeing how many other hunters are using the area and where they set up. When I say "area" I'm talking about a few to several square miles, the kind of place where there are a few different directions/places you can go and spend a day poking around, not a small area.
