What's the Longest you've seen elk pack?

[bucksmut]

Just curious as to the latest date you've seen elk pack in the spring?

I've been watching a small bull for a month now and this morning he's still got both. What's the longest you've seen them stay on?

 

[JDElec]

Not sure on elk spikes into May. Just saw a 5 point bull and a 4 point bull on friday still packing. I've seen a decent 4 point buck on May 15th a few years back horns were pretty white but definately previous years bone.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

I've seen elk and deer packing into may.

 

[hunt30]

The majority of the bulls are still packing in central UT. In past years I've seen 350+ bulls packing around the end of April. Smaller bulls can pack until the end of May or the first of June. Not uncommon to see bulls 75% grown in the same herd with smaller bulls still packing last years bone.

 

[bonepicker]

Where I live, April 15th is the magic date. over half of the bulls have dropped by then. Basically all of the 5 points and bigger have dropped. But like others have said, some can hold their horns until May. Keep an eye on him and keep us updated. Hopefully we'll hear from you (and see some pics) before May

 

[Ticks N Tines]

Last year I jumped a 5 point and some cows in the middle of May. I had no idea they were bedded in the timber where we were hiking. I jumped them up and this bull ran through the thickest stand of trees in the area and he antlers still didn't even budge. Kinda Wierd.
We usually see the bigger bulls dropping around April 10th-20th and it seems like the little guys hold on for a while after that. However this year they seem to be dropping a little early.

 

[bonepicker]

On Sunday I picked up a 6x7 that shed Friday or Saturday (see my "Easter Egg Hunt" post) So in my area, most the smaller bulls will be 2-4 weeks behind. But of course, every bull is different.

 

[wyohikeit]

Saw a sick old bull still packin both sides on June 15th -- but that was way longer than I have seen any other still packin.


Time in the hills is always worth more than money

 

[c3]

Saw these bulls up on the Wasatch Mtns. starting to grow their new ones already. Seems way early to me for the crazy weather we're having.

I saw a few rag horns down by Panguitch the end of April 2006 still packing.

Cheers,
Pete

 

[bucksmut]

That is some great info. Thanks for sharing. It's crazy how it varys from animal to animal. I will keep an eye on him and hopefully in a couple weeks I can post some pics. He's a little guy so dont get your hopes up

 

[DreamBIG]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-06-10 AT 05:13PM (MST)[p]last year mid april i jumped 4 bulls out of a wash that had a good 1ft new growth, seconds behind them were two nice 330-350 6 point bulls still packin both sides, blew me away.they were even pretty heavy horn.