As September approaches and elk season kicks off, having a solid plan—and backup plans—can make all the difference. In this video, Trail shares how to use GOHUNT Maps to e-scout for elk, break down habitat, and locate areas most likely to hold bulls when the rut is in full swing.

What you’ll learn in this video:
How to use fire layers to identify productive burn areas for elk habitat
Leveraging water layers (streams, springs, guzzlers, and seeps) to locate essential resources
Using the terrain analysis tool to highlight elevation bands, slopes, and north-facing bedding areas
Applying topographic maps to find benches, saddles, meadows, and overlooked pockets
Factoring in roads, trails, and road density layers to understand hunting pressure and find remote pockets
Turning on species distribution layers (migration corridors, summer concentration areas, production zones) to predict elk movement throughout the season

Rather than getting overwhelmed by an entire unit, this approach helps you section it down and focus on areas that provide food, water, cover, and escape routes from pressure. By stacking these tools and layers, you can quickly identify the best spots to hunt elk in your unit.

If you’re preparing for a September archery elk hunt, these tips will help you scout smarter and increase your odds of success when the bulls are bugling.

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00:00 Introduction – Getting Ready for September Elk Season
Setting up for elk hunting season and the importance of having backup plans
01:41 Fire/Burn Layers – Finding Prime Elk Habitat
How to use wildfire layers to locate productive elk areas from burns 1-15 years old
04:00 Water Layers – Streams, Springs, and Guzzlers
Using water layers and topographic maps to find elk near water sources
05:06 Terrain Analysis Tool – Finding Bedding Areas
Using terrain analysis to identify cool north-facing slopes and elevation bands where elk bed
08:34 Topographic Maps – Benches, Saddles, and Hidden Spots
How to use topo maps to find overlooked meadows, benches, and elk hideouts
08:45 Roads, Trails, and Hunting Pressure
Understanding access points and using road density layers to avoid crowded areas
11:46 Species Distribution Layers – Migration and Summer Range
Using elk-specific data layers, including migration corridors and summer concentration areas
13:30 Putting It All Together – The Complete Strategy
Quick recap of all five key mapping techniques for finding elk
15:02 Final Tips and Closing Thoughts
Advice on sectioning units and focusing on areas with food, water, cover, and escape routes