Scouting helpful?

[BPKHunter]

So I have a rifle tag in the White Cloud Mtns of Idaho from Oct1-Oct31. If this year follows last, the bulls will be in full rut on Oct 1. Seems that the rut has moved later the last 5-10 years, with bulls bugling into Oct 15 has not been uncommon here in recent years.

In this country the bulls tend to be in the very high basins, while the cows seem to be spread from the river bottoms all the way up to the higher basins.

I typically hunt elk in Nov, so other than the usual scouting for fun, I am not a rut expert at all so I need advice on how practical it is to go find bulls in those high basins, if I am correct in believing they will be moving to find the cows pre-rut. For practical purposes, should I primarily be focusing on where the cows are or are likely to be?

I believe some areas of the country, and even this state, find the elk not traveling that far from Aug to Nov, but that is not true here.

 

[HayZeus]

The best time for you to scout there will be a week before your season. The best part of the rut is the week before your tag opens and the first week of your hunt. It should be a great hunt for you guys.

 

[BPKHunter]

Wish bulls were more like bucks, my buddy has a great early deer hunt and you can scout all summer and basically expect the bucks to hang tight until the pressure really hits.

I'm focusing on exploring country I don't know, figuring out where I can get my Dad as he is really not mobile, finding cows, and looking for old rubs as I am guessing that is likely where rutting activity may have happened in years past. I should probably just go fishing and get some of my honey do items cleared off the list, but it's hard when you have a tag to stay away....

 

[OLDHORNHUNTER]

if I had this tag in my pocket I would hunt Oct 5th thru the 15th that is when 99% of the 2nd cycle cows come back around {the Ugly cows that got passed up} there will be BIG bulls running around after these Ugly cows for sure !! Every year deer hunting I always see & hear at least 3 to 5 Good bulls still chasing cows & bugling up a storm !!

 

[YZF_88]

Good reminder about the 2nd cycle cows. Thinking about that will help stay patient. I have a similar early October tag for Idaho. It'll be my first time rifle hunting them as well (only bow before).