Quick Answer
Elk behavior changes significantly between day and night, with most activity occurring at dawn and dusk. During these times, elk are more likely to be active, feeding and traveling in search of food and water. At night, elk tend to be more sedentary, resting and hiding from potential threats.
Daytime Elk Behavior
In Montana’s public elk hunting areas, daytime elk behavior is often dictated by the availability of food and water sources. For example, elk tend to congregate around water sources during the hottest part of the day, often staying in areas with abundant shade and green vegetation. During this time, hunters can use calls and optics to locate and assess elk behavior, often targeting areas with known feeding and watering sites.
Nighttime Elk Behavior
At night, elk behavior shifts to a more nocturnal pattern, with most animals resting and hiding in dense cover. In Montana’s public elk hunting areas, nighttime elk behavior often involves elk bedding down in areas with thick vegetation, such as aspen groves or coniferous thickets. Hunters can use thermal imaging and night vision optics to locate elk during these times, often targeting areas with known bedding and feeding sites. Research has shown that elk tend to bed down in areas with a relatively flat terrain and minimal human disturbance, making it easier for hunters to locate and approach them.
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