velvet bulls

stumpjumper · Aug 9, 2012

Just wondering when in the swdesert the bulls usually shed their velvet. Been up there scouting the last 3 weekends and none of the bulls seem to be rubbing yet. Is the early part of the hunt going to be for velvet bulls?
Watched 3 bulls together for 2 hours and didn't see a cow one, but feeding with them was a spotted calf. Never saw that before.

dwalton · Aug 9, 2012

How's the antler growth looking this year?

c3 · Aug 10, 2012

It usually starts about now until the 15th when they get the itch. Most of the pics I've seen in the last week don't show them quite ready yet, but they'll be rubbed by the 18th for the most part.

The season started on the 15 in 2009 and there were a few bulls taken in the velvet, so it's possible this year, but unlikely.

Cheers,
Pete

stumpjumper · Aug 10, 2012

Thanks Pete. I know alot of rubbing can happen in the next 2 weeks, just wasn't sure how these SW bulls act. I know the velvet on my head sure itches with this heat spell!
Growth is looking good to me. It's rained all 3 of my scouting weekends. Still alot of green and most of the springs are wet.
Hoping things cool down some by the 18th.

YZF_88 · Aug 12, 2012

Saw my first bull with no velvet yesterday. All the others had velvet though.

stumpjumper · Aug 23, 2012

You were right Pete. The first week of the hunt showed all bulls I saw had shed their velvet. Been eyeing a nice 7x just waiting to get a chance at him. Got within 300 yrds when he bedded down, and I had no cover for a stalk so snuck back out for another day.
The evening rains are causing havoc on my hunt. Counted 68 lightning flashes in 5 min. on Sun. Headed back up tomorrow for another 5 days.
Saw a nice velvet buck 100 feet from camp. 4x or 5x couldn't belive his rack, guessing 170 plus. Bulls are starting to bugle and saw a small 5x with 3 cows but he was leading them.
Good luck to all.

scandalousbob · Aug 24, 2012

stumpjumper, pm sent.

c3 · Aug 26, 2012

Getter done Stumpjumper!!! Looking forward to seeing some pics of that bad boy when you get home.

Keep the faith man. It can be taxing in this in between time, but they'll go crazy starting the 3rd or so and you'll be able to spot and stalk bugling bulls all day long and sit water on your rest days.

All the bulls I've ever shot have been exactly on the 3rd of Sept for some reason. It's magic day when they start to want to round cows and really get in the swing of things.

I think it's the prime time for getting in on unsuspecting monster bulls.

Cheers,
Pete

stumpjumper · Aug 30, 2012

Thanks for the pump Pete. Won't make it the 3rd but will try another run the 5th thru the 10th. Hopefully they'll start going a little crazy as my time is running out. Watched the 7x do some light sparring with a 5x6 got within 90yds of the smaller one but the big guy went hiding. Tried to singem some love songs when a cow came within 10yds. Busted.