A Tough ML Hunt Indeed!

[Pajay 1962]

I received a lot of information from guys on this forum, and headed to Colorado for the ML elk season with confidence. I fully expected that at any moment the rut would kick in and the elk would be bugling, but it never happened. I hunted Unit 42 with my friend, we camped on the mountain in the unit from 9/10 and pulled out of the woods on 9/18, and in that entire period never heard one bugle. The weather started off hot and dry, then on that Monday it shifted to rain, wind, and a temperature drop of 20 degrees. I fully expected them to kick into the rut, but it didn't happen. We hiked, called, still hunted, sat and put miles and more miles on our boots that week, but never could make it happen. Everyone we talked to was saying the same thing - not vocal at all, can't find the elk. There was sign (tracks) each day, so they were there somewhere, but I only saw one small bull in 7 hard days of hunting, and no cows. My friend lucked out on Day 6 and put down a 6x3 that had his butt whipped by a larger bull as he had puncture wounds in his shoulder and rib cage. We hiked away from roads, one spot being about 3 miles from the closest road. We hunted an elevation between 9400' and 10,400 and saw tracks at both elevations. There were 4 wheelers cruising the roads, but I wouldn't say that it was overrun by people although we'd see at least one hunter every other day in the woods.

Another friend was hunting Unit 43, and said that the bulls were bugling their heads off the entire time he was there. Some local guys that were doing reclamation work for the gas drillers were talking with us as they hunt as well. They hunted one night and saw 10 cows within 40 yards, and said that they never made one peep between them the entire time that they fed (and there were no bulls with them).

So, any theories on what was the difference other than the 10 miles between our hunting areas? Was it just that they happened to be more vocal there, does even a small amount of hunters shut the elk up? I'm curious what the more experienced guys have to say.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I too had a tough time, lots of hunters and no elk. Hunting a new area is tough. My decision is not to hunt this part of the unit for elk again. It is great to be in the woods and mountains, but ........well you get the idea.

 

[xtreme]

Ours has been good with three of four hunters already tagged and the fourth passing on bulls that I would have shot. The elk have been vocal with lots of bugling especially at night. Several close calls with good bulls for the fourth hunter who is still hunting. My hunting partner of several decades and I are on our way to help locate what the tag holder is looking for. I would so like to have the one hundred per cent success just this once.

 

[Hilltop]

Pajay, It sounds like you just weren't in an area with high density. When there isn't much competition to breed, the elk are much less vocal. Add hunters to the mix and they are even less vocal. I have run into this through the years and the solution is to move until you find higher densities. Vocal elk are so much easier to hunt...

 

[crzy_cntryby]

Ours has been good with three of four hunters already tagged and the fourth passing on bulls that I would have shot. The elk have been vocal with lots of bugling especially at night. Several close calls with good bulls for the fourth hunter who is still hunting. My hunting partner of several decades and I are on our way to help locate what the tag holder is looking for. I would so like to have the one hundred per cent success just this once.

What region are you hunting? Public land?

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[crzy_cntryby]

Found the same story everywhere I have been all season as well. I have burned a lot of rubber and boot sole. Nothing talking or moving, very limited sign. With the exception of my own property, which I don't have a tag for. Haha

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[wisconsinvette]

I was in 67 for the muzzy deer hunt last week and never heard an elk.

 

[xtreme]

Unit 81 DIY public land. The 7x6 was about 3/4 mile from the highway and one of the kids killed his cow only about 1/2 mile from the highway. We are archery hunting.

 

[Pajay 1962]

Hmmm, the elk density thing makes me wonder. Heck, we camped there for 8 nights so we know that nothing was talking at night as well. First time on this mountain, will look elsewhere in the future.

 

[alaska2go]

Pajay, It sounds like you just weren't in an area with high density. When there isn't much competition to breed, the elk are much less vocal. Add hunters to the mix and they are even less vocal. I have run into this through the years and the solution is to move until you find higher densities. Vocal elk are so much easier to hunt...

Very true indeed. Plus the higher densities could only be 20 miles away . Elk have their " rutting zones" where they will move to during that time of year.