I went up scouting elk this weekend and saw quite a few bulls in a couple areas, does anyone know, will these bulls continue to stay in this area all the way until archery season or are they constantly on the move?
Early season scouting and elk location
- Thread starter kiddwinner
- Start date
eblondheim
New Member
- Apr 4, 2011
- 46
- 0
Good question. I think it'll depend a lot on the weather as they usually move to an area for breeding.
I did run through another area where i didnt see any elk but alot of trees were scraped up so I was actually thinking they may be in that area during the rut
clacklin009
Active Member
Elk (the species) will inhabit the same areas from year to year, however you might not always find the same animal. If water, food, or pressure change then animals will move. If Elk typically stay in the area for the hunt then there is a good chance of finding the same animals but nothing is certain.
Elkfreak22
New Member
- Apr 8, 2013
- 12
- 0
Elk will move for the rut. They stay high in bachelor herds for the summer and move when the rut begins. We have watched bulls all summer and all of the sudden they are gone. They could just go a couple miles but when the rut hits they will be looking for cows. They usually will be in their summer range until the first couple weeks in September. It just depends on how early the rut kicks off. Last year was late for us and we started seeing new bulls around the 8th of september so if your hunt starts early go and kill them in their summer range.
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tdub24
Veteran member
In my experiences, the bulls will be wherever the cows are. Last year, I scouted one area and counted 62 bulls, but only 20 or so cows. Come hunting season (9/17), there were the 20 cows and the biggest bull out of the 62. Of course, they were some raghorns hanging around hoping to get a taste, but the big bull kept them at bay.
Another area I used to scout, had 200+ cows so there were big bulls all over, hanging on the outskirts waiting for the cows to go into estrus. All through July, August, and September I was seeing tons of elk. Come my muzzleloader season (10/20) There was only 75 or so cows and just a few bulls. I figured they stay in the summer area all through rut, unless they get too much pressure from humans.
Its like clacklin009 says
Another area I used to scout, had 200+ cows so there were big bulls all over, hanging on the outskirts waiting for the cows to go into estrus. All through July, August, and September I was seeing tons of elk. Come my muzzleloader season (10/20) There was only 75 or so cows and just a few bulls. I figured they stay in the summer area all through rut, unless they get too much pressure from humans.
Its like clacklin009 says
de_ballew
New Member
This is my first year putting any effort into scouting. During Sept I always have found elk in my honey hole but I have yet to see them or any sign of them this summer. I would guess they are in higher altitude in the summer and just come to my spot to breed in mid Sept. I hope so because my freezer is looking a bit empty right now.
squirrelduster
Active Member
A friend and I have been setting up trail cameras for several years and the location of elk in the summer is never the same as the location in September.
The bachelor bulls are normally in small groups. When the cows show up the bulls move in, at least in our area. They seem to have rutting areas that are the same location from year to year but not necessarily the same bulls.
The bachelor bulls are normally in small groups. When the cows show up the bulls move in, at least in our area. They seem to have rutting areas that are the same location from year to year but not necessarily the same bulls.
tdub nailed it. you find the cows during sep, you will find the bulls. as the others have said, it just depends. i have a few areas that i know the elk are year round. year round, cows calves and bulls. if there is good feed there from summer to fall then there will be elk there. heard bulls will feed amongst the cows during the hot summer months if there is quality feed to be had. not all of your monster bulls will be sky high either, they will be wherever the heck they want to be. north facing slopes full of timber at 6,000 feet will hold its fair share of elk. if the area has a healthy population they all cant feed on the same high mountain tops, they will be scatterd low and high.
Like stated the bachelor bulls will hang out all summer up high as soon as they get the rut urge, they'll head to where to cows are. Locate the cows and you'll find the bulls.
I saw eleven bulls last weekend 5 in one group and 6 in another. They'll break up about the end of August and start hanging around the areas where the cows and calves are on thier summer range.
I saw eleven bulls last weekend 5 in one group and 6 in another. They'll break up about the end of August and start hanging around the areas where the cows and calves are on thier summer range.
Unfortunately this is the most accurate statement for finding elk in my experience. As everyone else said, they will look for the cows come september. There are usually cows spread high and low. Food, water, and cool dark timber with the LEAST human pressure are your best bets, but this can change daily pushing the elk "wherever the heck they want to be". Your best bet is to pick the style of hunting you want and start with that...whether it is up high glassing basins above treeline or still hunting dark timber. Each area is different, food and water availability help determine their movement but human pressure plays a big role in the areas Ive hunted. Start where you have spotted the bulls and work out from there until you find them again, sounds obvious, but I think too many people get stuck doing the same thing day after day because that was their "plan", but don't be afraid to make plan B, C.... and go with that as soon as Plan A has been exhausted.
