Elk have become educated. They pass the learned behavior down to their offspring. This phenomenon happens when the herds figure out sanctuary lands. So the Friday before the first archery season, elk hear doors slamming, tent stakes being driven, and worst of all ATV's being run up and down the forest roads. The lead cows gather the herd and take them down onto the big ranch, where things are quiet and they are hunted less. Nearer to the big urban areas, they seek sanctuary in town on the golf courses and lawns. There was a study done on the Flat Tops with radio or satellite collared elk proving that they moved out the first weekend of archery...and it seems more ATV related than just camping in general.
Yep,I have sat on mountain sides a few days before season opens when I hear all the backpackers,pack strings,ATVs moving into the area setting up camps and see the elk go up over the divide into the next drainage and probably further
