elk and the pre rut (archery opener)

[Button Nubbs]

Talking rosies, if there are several bulls in an area and not many cows, what are the bulls going to do when they start to split up? Will a dominant bull take control of the area and start running other bulls out waiting for cows, or will they likley all split and go in different directions? Remember were talking 1st week of Sept. Opinions?

[kglacken]

Ive always wondered about this. Tag

[Johnb317]

I've watched spikes wander around together.....maybe they're like humans and don't go stupid unless they hear/see/smell a female. 

Tag

[Tbar]

In my experience the herd bulls often keep a distance while staying in contact with the herd. They often let a sub dominant bull think he's king only to be dethroned in an instant once the cows start cycling.  The closer to the end of the month, the more predictable they become (both herd bulls and raghorns).

[Kain]

Last year called in three bulls still all traveling together mid archery season.  They did not like me calling in their area but did not seem to be worried about each other.  One will usually be dominant but the others just hang around...thats why they call them satellite bulls.

[snarkybull]

i hunt willapa hills so if you hunt elsewhere take my comments with a grain of salt.

sub-dominant bulls know quickly that they are sub-dominant bulls.  they will hang around and become satellite bulls.  sometimes with the original dominant bull and sometimes they will find another herd to satellite around.  they will also look for cows that got separated from the herd and follow them hoping to get lucky before the big bull corrals them.  these are the easiest animals to fool with cow calls and such.  the dominant bulls do not have the energy nor time to chase them completely away from the herd, so they let them hang around peripherally.  come mating time, the dominant bulls will be on constant alert using up all their energy to mate and simultaneously keep the satellite bulls distant enough and keep the cows corralled.  they will not bother to chase them off until the crucial moment.  dominant bulls do not really take control of an area, the herd moves and all they care about is the herd.

if there are 2 dominant bulls...two men enter, one man leaves.  thunderdome!

archery season is mostly the beginning of the rut.  they are setting up but not really doing the deed yet.  so expect satellite bulls and roving herds.  also, cows will move in groups in 2 or 3 very commonly. especially in heavily hunted areas.  seen a number of dominant bulls by themselves the first week because they don't need to waste their energy too early and they have been around long enough to know what they are doing.  they will gather a herd when its time.

let me know if i didn't explain things fully, there is probably way too much to put in one post, or if you have more specific questions.

[huntnnw]

usually the rags will get with cows late August...stay with them as the cows get closer to breeding the bigger bulls will move in and kick the bull away

[Button Nubbs]

Makes sense. In 2011 I killed a raghorn with 3 cows. Last year I killed a mature bull that was by himself. I guess my question was more directed towards if there are not many cows in the area will bulls go in search or will they wait for cows to come into the area?

[BOWHUNTER45]

In my experience the herd bulls often keep a distance while staying in contact with the herd. They often let a sub dominant bull think he's king only to be dethroned in an instant once the cows start cycling.  The closer to the end of the month, the more predictable they become (both herd bulls and raghorns).

:tup:this is what I witnessed many times too ... the herd bull will let the younger bulls mingle around the herd but will not let it go any further than that ....

[buglebrush]

In my experience the beginning of the season doesn't have as much action, but this is a great time to stick a nice bull.  You will find many bulls out prospecting for cows; and very willing to come check you out, although they may never talk.   You have to really burn the boot leather though, because odds are you won't get as many responses to locator bugles.  I have had very good success once I have gotten close though.

[10thmountainarcher]

Just brainstorming here, but will cow in estrus urine and estrus whines go a long way in the early season? Just curious because in my head I picture a big ole bull slobbering thinking its finally time to do it like the discovery Channel?   

[jstone]

So just cow call and hope a bull will wander in and check out the lady making the noise.

[wt]

Tag, good info.

[snarkybull]

I guess my question was more directed towards if there are not many cows in the area will bulls go in search or will they wait for cows to come into the area?

The adolescents would be in full on tail-chasing mode.  they will not hang around anywhere without cows.  the grown ups will wait longer, but if the herd does not come to them they will go to it.  the little boys make quite a ruckus and elk can cover many miles really fast.  they will find them quickly when they want to.  I don't think searching is the right word, but they will go.  I think they will usually wait, but only for so long.

Just brainstorming here, but will cow in estrus urine and estrus whines go a long way in the early season? Just curious because in my head I picture a big ole bull slobbering thinking its finally time to do it like the discovery Channel?   

I do not personally put much stock in those for pre-rut or early rut as attractors (i will use some for scent cover-up).  the smaller bulls are following the cows.  the cows are leading and aren't going to be attracted by that.  when the big bulls are gathering their harem is the theoretical sweet spot for scent attractors. Also right after the rut the shunned little boys can be fooled into thinking maybe they still have a chance.  but that's not archery season.

[Kain]

In my experience the beginning of the season doesn't have as much action, but this is a great time to stick a nice bull.  You will find many bulls out prospecting for cows; and very willing to come check you out, although they may never talk.  You have to really burn the boot leather though, because odds are you won't get as many responses to locator bugles.  I have had very good success once I have gotten close though.

This has been my experience also.  A few answer but there are a lot more that just come in silent.