Not a back packer here, but I find more and more hunters trying to get in closer to the elk habitat .I guess it is all about getting ahead of the other guy.I have seen guys set up big camps right in a prime elk corridor.Then they go out and "scout" in the timber for 1-2 days before the season starts and bump the elk. Opening day they are complaining about all the elk are gone and can't figure out why
Elk will move thru one of those areas, but mostly camping in the hunt area will move elk out. Sometimes over the next ridge,sometimes three - four drainages away
