Help needed!!!

[eobowhntr]

I need some help. I went out the other day to check up on a herd of elk ive been seeing, and i hiked for about an hour, and spotted 3 different herds id never seen before. I got close enough to scope out all the herds, and didnt see a single bull. I know the bulls are herded together this time of year, so where could I find them? Are they anywhere near the cows? I saw about 200 elk yesterday, and its kinda discouraging to not see a single bull. Anyone know where i could find the bulls? Here is a sidenote for littlefoot: do you live in washington or oregon? I saw one of your pictures, and it looked like the eruption of mt. St. Helens in one of them?

 

[bittersweetmuleymeat]

If you live in an area that the elk are migratory, (travel to winter grounds) wherever the cows are, the bulls ussually tend to be higher in elevation. And the most mature bull the highest in altitude. Where I am from if its a very bad winter and the cows are at 3000 ft, the bulls will be at 4000. On a mild winter, if the cows are 4500 ft, the bulls will be at 5500.
Areas where the elk are non migratory, look in "little nooks and crannies" little hidden draws or timbered areas.

 

[littlefoot]

eo...that was mt. st. helens, as i stated in the post...i live in washington state...ellensburg..right in the middle...the bulls and the cows are all at the 'same elevations'....just not together..find the bulls, stick with'em...you'll find horns.... don't be discouraged...lots of days i go out and see very little...i think they call that 'life'...good luck..keep at it, it'll happen for ya...let us know..

 

[traks]

eo,

High quality optics are a must for long range scouting, I have also come to find that when looking long range if the sun isnt just right you wont see an antler. You could be looking right at an anter and if the sun is a little wrong you wont see it. I think it may be a wee bit early for northeast oregon as well, keep at it becuase it seems those big bulls always find there way to the open hillside when they are ready to drop

 

[utah450]

Just to stay consistent, I will tell you an even different story. I have found that the bulls here in Utah are usually a little lower in elevation than the cows. It sounds like everyone is finding something different, so I would say you will just have to spend some time and figure out what they are doing in your area.

 

[SLIVER]

I Live in utah and went out looking this weekend. All of the bulls I saw were at the top of the ridgelines approx 8000 ft
elevation. The cows were down in the valley's. This was the case in central utah, not sure if it would be the same where you are at. Also the bulls were still in about 2 feet of snow still.
Hope it helps.

}}-SLIVER-->