CA Tule Elk Habits

CA_Wapiti · Jul 13, 2019

How is everyone doing? Hope you got the tag you were holding out for because I know I did! California Tule. October 05-14.

With that being said I am fairly new to hunting Tules and I know there rutting activity varies from the other elk species and even furthermore, I know the rut can vary state to state regardless of species.

I'm just looking for anyone that may live in CA and has had the privilege to chase these awesome animals for a few years and has noticed anything special. Rutting timeframe etc.

"Shoot straight"

Bwht4x4 · Jul 14, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jul-14-19 AT 08:56AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jul-14-19 AT 08:55?AM (MST)

What unit did you draw? Goodale, Lone Pine or Independence?

Tules rut very early. In fact I heard bugles a few weeks ago and this past Thursday and Friday bulls were with groups of cows and actively tending them. In my area (central coast CA) I'd say the peak of the rut is the first 2 weeks of August, but there's quite a bit of activity now.

This is from Aug 7th of last year:

buckspotter7 · Jul 14, 2019

I've never hunted them, but chased them around with my camera and tried calling them many summers. I agree with the previous post. Rut starts heating up in late July and peaks by the second week of August. I am talking about Central Coast Tules. Not sure where your tag is or if timeframe is different in the mountains

CA_Wapiti · Jul 14, 2019

That's what I was worried about. I drew Fort Hunter Liggett, Archery either-sex. So the activity in your area is a good representation of what is most likely happening on FHL. It makes sense, the hunt was originally scheduled for 27 July - 04 August but got rescheduled due to military training taking place on base.

Do you know much about what I guess would be considered "Post-Rut/Late season" tendencies? I figure the bulls will split up from the larger herds and go into "sanctuary mode" trying to rebuild their strength from the rut. Although it may vary because we don't have harsh winters out here in California like other states experience.

Rsully661 · Jul 14, 2019

That's an easy hunt, the biologist on base will give you all the info on them you need and their whereabouts. Call and speak with the people at the base.

Idaho · Jul 18, 2019

I had that tag a few years ago, but mine was in late july-beginning of august. the rut was in full effect during that time and even before.
Jim FHL bio 805-610-7035

there's bulls all over that place. I also had the A33 rut hunt for blacktail the year or two prior during similar time frame as your hunt. I can tell you it will be a lot harder that time of year sneaking around due to the dried up brush that is 4' high.

IF they open up the strip just behind the tank range im sure youll do plenty well there. I assisted a guy along with a buddy on the ML hunt in December same year I got my bull and there were 50-100 bulls running together. id suggest the lake but at that time the water will be too low n the bulls will be on the other side of the property line.

I know its hard not to stress about having that tag, but honestly just go have fun and drop a dandy. Snake gaiters are a MUST!!!

Bwht4x4 · Jul 18, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jul-18-19 AT 09:22PM (MST)[p]>I had that tag a few
>years ago, but mine was
>in late july-beginning of august.
>the rut was in full
>effect during that time and
>even before.
>Jim FHL bio 805-610-7035
>
>there's bulls all over that place.
>I also had the A33
>rut hunt for blacktail the
>year or two prior during
>similar time frame as your
>hunt. I can tell you
>it will be a lot
>harder that time of year
>sneaking around due to the
>dried up brush that is
>4' high.
>

>IF they open up the strip
>just behind the tank range
>im sure youll do plenty
>well there. I assisted a
>guy along with a buddy
>on the ML hunt in
>December same year I got
>my bull and there were
>50-100 bulls running together. id
>suggest the lake but at
>that time the water will
>be too low n the
>bulls will be on the
>other side of the property
>line.
>
>I know its hard not to
>stress about having that tag,
>but honestly just go have
>fun and drop a dandy.
>Snake gaiters are a MUST!!!
>

I live and work close to FHL...you don't need snake gaiters. No reason to wear those stupid annoying things if you don't need to.

GunSlinger · Jul 19, 2019

If you are close by, do yourself a favor and drive around the base and look at the elk. With the amount you see it should relieve your doubts about the hunt. Now just shoot straight. Good luck

Bwht4x4 · Aug 23, 2019

I was out today in tule elk habitat and ran into these guys fighting. Got to within 25 yards. The rut is at it's peak and there were bulls bugling all around me this morning and I must have seen 20+ six point bulls in under an hour. I got an awesome video of them fighting too!

CA_Wapiti · Aug 23, 2019

Now that gets the heart pumping! So wish the season would?ve fallen closer to August. But nevertheless, they will still be there come October! Now just hoping they don't bang up their antlers too bad lol