Patterning Elk.

fatrooster · Oct 23, 2005

I'm going on my first elk hunt at the end of October in Nevada's Jarbidge wilderness. I went scouting last week and found a nice bull right off the bat as well as some lesser bulls in another area. I saw the nice bull two mornings in a row. First morning I spotted him up high laying in the sun. Later he got up and fed into the trees. Second morning I was in my same glassing spot a little earlier (at daylight) and I saw the same bull on the same mountain but much lower. He was standing but bedded in the sun. Again, about two hours later he got up (same time in the morning) and fed into the trees. I assume he is warming up while bedded in the sun and when he gets hot he goes and beds into the trees. In the evening the sun is too brite to glass that mountain from that angle. I'm guessing that he gets up in the evening or at night and feeds his way to water and then feeds part or most of the night. Does anybody want to add to what I can expect this bull to be doing all day or evenings. Should I expect to see him on the same mountain in a few days? fatrooster.

SlipRock · Oct 23, 2005

I beleive he will keep doing what he is doing until he is interupted or bumped bad enough to knock him off of his routine, So with that being said I would definately be there opening morning if I were you, Good luck to ya

kilowatt · Oct 23, 2005

Drew,
Be there opening morning and in that same spot and put the hammer down. Hope that no one ruins this for you and gets there first, keep a tight lip pal and good luck.

Brian

DonV · Oct 24, 2005

I agree be there and be ready to drop it at 10 seconds after legal shooting time.

Be conservative - since he is obviously not picking exactly the same spot to bed I would back off a little in case he moves, make sure wind is good and get a good vantage point so you can see the whole mnt.

Good luck and post some pics of him

DeerCrazy · Oct 24, 2005

Weather, Moon and preasure will all be a factor come opening day. If a bull gets bumped out of an area theres no telling how far he will travel until he finds another area to his liking and decides to make camp.

MartinHunter · Oct 24, 2005

From what I can tell were I hunt, the elk seem to fallow the same basic pattern until opening morning when the hill turn orange.....If your the first one in at light you will have a good chance, after that, at least in a general area, they will be all over the hills....Good luck and post him when u get him down.....

Michael

fatrooster · Oct 25, 2005

Thanks for all of the info guys. Your all pretty much echoing my very thoughts. I WILL be there this Saturday morning which is opening day and I WILL try to get him. I estimated him to be in the 330" to 340" range. He has one tine broken on his left side. The last tine which is actually the end of the main beam. He broke it at the base of his whale tail. Can't wait to get up there. fatrooster.

shotgunjim · Oct 25, 2005

I hunted deer in the Jarbidge the first week of the season. I saw more elk than you could shake a stick at. If I were you I would Downgrade that 330-340 bull to my back up bull and go look for something bigger.