"We hear from people that elk and deer aren't in the places where hunters have traditionally found them, but that doesn't mean the animals aren't out there," explained Division of Wildlife spokesman Randy Hampton.

When fall weather is warm, animals remain at higher elevations. Deer, typically the first animals to head for low country, may stay at the edge of forested land. Elk become even more difficult to locate as they stick to stands of dark timber that offer protection from sun and hunters alike.

Some tips for warmer weather:

• Wildlife managers typically recommend that hunters get off the road and head into the dark timber. That advice is even more important when temperatures are above average.
• Spend more time looking and listening. Glass hillsides paying particular attention to stands of aspen, pine and pinyon-juniper.
• Change your vantage point. Climb a tree or scale that steep hillside to change your view of an area and maybe bring distant animals into view.
• Not seeing animals? Don't be afraid to make big changes in where you're hunting. Migrating animals may not have reached typical fall grounds because of the warmer weather. You might consider a dramatic change in altitude or habitat type to see if your luck changes.