LAST EDITED ON Jul-16-06 AT 07:19PM (MST)[p]When the beginning of August rolls around horn growth is wrapping up. By mid Aug they are rubbing and the hormones are starting to flow. You will still see bulls running together, but slowly seperating as the rut approaches. They will even hang out together even as they start to bugle a bit.
Like a voice, every bugle is unique. They start bugling a bit to remind the other elk who they are and also to let the cows know who they are. Keep in mind the cows "pick" the bulls. Think about it, they could leave anytime they want. They pick the bulls based on maturity and antlers. Big antlers means a mature bull AND (most importantly) food. It shows the cows they can find food.
As the rut begins, they start to spare with one another, begin to show their domance and begin to wander. They will roam to find cows and pick them up. Some bulls wait longer than others. Heck, alot of bulls let the decent bulls do all the work, then swoop in and take over the herd!
Cows don't care, they just got a new leader that finds food better than the original one. Again, what stops them from running off with the smaller bull, nothing, they pick the bigger bull.
Once the rut really gets and they get cows, their range becomes dependant on how irritated other bulls make them. The big herd bulls will push their herds all around the mountain to avoid other bulls. After the rut, you see the bachelor herds appear again and bulls tanking on food. They have alot of weight to put back on before the winter.
I think the best key to watch is the cows. Pattern them. The bulls come and find them vs. the other way around. Also, keep in mind that it's generally the lead cow that will move the herd around. She is the most watchful eye in the group. Full rut the bulls will move the herd as mentioned above, but that lead cow is very important to herd behavior.
Overall, the bulls really can be anywhere this time of year. It's about food, food and food. They are growing them antlers!
As the rut begins to roll around find the cows, the big bulls aren't far and will be on there way to find them come full swing of the rut.
ODDNUT1
Kirt C.
Hunt Odds.com
