My favorite time to scout elk is February and March. The animals settle down, the leaves are off the trees and brush, and the bulls will be stressed for good feed on the westside so they will be in pastures and meadows. You can see them driving around or with a little walking. They don't shed there antlers until mid March or so.

In the summer you can find where there at and learn the country a bit, but don't scout hard because they will figure you out and be gone. Especially don't scout shortly before the season- you will put the elk on guard.