Elk Question ?

[bjn7f0]

So bulls and cows are in their summer mode right now and usually separate from each other at this time. Typically bulls I scout in the summer usually aren't in the same area come September for the archery hunts. So my question is, is it better to focus on the areas that the cows are at or will bulls go and round up the cows and take them somewhere else? What's your experience been?

 

[txhunter58]

IMO: focus on where the cows are. The bulls will seek them out when the time comes. Yes, the bulls will "ride herd" on them then, but the lead cow/cows will mostly control their day to day movements.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

 

[Idaho75]

Agreed...hunt the cows, but the rut is still late summer, so look for areas with water and shade (timber, brush). I would not worry about where they are now...

 

[bjn7f0]

I agree with everything but I just saw a cow/calf herd of 300 elk and I know that many bulls will come in and split them up. So do the bulls stay in the same area as the cows at this point or try to take them to the bulls home range?

 

[Zeke]

I think scouting is very important but some guys forget that elk move.... a lot. They might be in this canyon today and 5 canyons over the next.

I scout to find elk areas and to see size potential but all bets are off when they rub their antlers and/or the rut is in the air!

You will never pattern a bull this time of year and rarely can you pattern one from day to day at any time of year. They're just too mobile!

There's my 2 cents from hunting areas that actually see some pressure.

Zeke

 

[bjn7f0]

Thanks Gentlemen.

 

[ElkManDan]

I've seen both types of areas be productive.
I've seen areas that hold almost exclusively, bulls during the summer and come september they head in search of cows and drive them back to the same area that they spent all summer.
I've also seen where I've seen only cows all summer with only raghorn bulls and spikes and come september all the sudden there are some really big bulls there chasing the cows.