Sorry to hear that you didn't run into any elk, let alone shoot one.  Sounds like you put the effort in though.  Maybe next year!

Thanks, and just I'll copy paste from another post...

Now, I had come to 2 conclusions about 59.

First, the elk are very, very, very scared of me.

Second, they are as real as unicorns and leprechauns.

I walked over 30 gps miles and say gps miles because many times it was under my arm and not tracking. I walked all over the valleys and ridges were I'd seen fresh sign previously from Emerald Valley Ranch to E. Beaver Creek. I walked all over Buffalo Valley/Canyon and Stove Mountain. Walked all over Mt. Rosa, Mt. Blanca, and sat in a several thousand meter long marsh near Mt. Baldy at 11200 feet, and even remote marshes that you need to get private access to near the Crags. I walked countless game trails, marshes, streams, ridges, valleys, draws, spurs,  saddles, roads, hiking trails and saw 1, yes 1, white tail deer. Not even an elk. No bugling, no chuckling, no nothing.

I think I mistakenly went snipe hunting instead during 1st rifle.

I guess I wouldn't be quite as upset if I actually saw some sign, had a chance to maybe stalk something, or saw some, like I said, 3 ridges away that would at least let me know my efforts weren't futile.

LOL, I was as low as 9000' in some nice areas, too. I, also, talked to a hunter that was all the way up to timberline and nada.

Thanks for letting me blow off a little steam as I'll bet the same experience is shared by a lot of hunters.

Maybe its me, but I find it hard to cover 10 miles a day and not even find tracks or sign.  I guess there is a ton of land out there and completely possible.

if you count weeks or months or years old tracks, poop, or rubs sign... :(

it is not the elevation because they are still running above treeline.sounds like a case of elkhunting.that is frustrating though.i am sending you a pm