Trail cam / scouting help!?

[Styles]

I need some help!! I have a trail cam setup and am getting hundreds of pics a week...however they are all cows and calves with an occasional spike in the mix. So here is question...do I continue to put my efforts in this area and hope bulls move in before the season opens or bail out and find some new terrain real quick!? I have a draw only Bull tag in Washington for archery!! Sounds great and it is!! However the hunt dates are Sept 2-14. And typically the bulls in this unit don't start getting nutty and talking till around the 13-15th or so!! Say whatever is on your mind!! Thanks guys!!

[vandeman17]

If you have any any bull tag then you are in the right area. Come pre rut then they will start searching out the cows. The bachelor groups just might be in a little different area but I am sure they are around if you are seeing a bunch of cows

[jackelope]

If you have any any bull tag then you are in the right area. Come pre rut then they will start searching out the cows. The bachelor groups just might be in a little different area but I am sure they are around if you are seeing a bunch of cows

 

The bulls will come to the cows once they start feeling the love in the air.

[trophyhunt]

  the cows are the ones in charge! You have a good spot, maby put up a tree stand before it gets much later. Good luck!

[Bean Counter]

I have a draw only bull tag, and all three of my cams are targeting bachelor herds. I get far more bulls than cows. I suppose they could move some from now till then but I first need to figure out which are the shooters. I don't want to wind up killing a dink 6 just because he's the first or only I can find.

[Styles]

My concern is when the bulls decide to show up..the short season will be over!! Should I be trying to locate bach herds instead right now??

[Styles]

  the cows are the ones in charge! You have a good spot, maby put up a tree stand before it gets much later. Good luck!

I was thinking exactly the same thing!! Thanks man!!

[vandeman17]

My concern is when the bulls decide to show up..the short season will be over!! Should I be trying to locate bach herds instead right now??

My opinion is that if you find them now, they won't be there come your season. I would rather try to locate where they want to go, not where they have been 

[Styles]

My concern is when the bulls decide to show up..the short season will be over!! Should I be trying to locate bach herds instead right now??

My opinion is that if you find them now, they won't be there come your season. I would rather try to locate where they want to go, not where they have been 

Thanks bud!! Sounds like I am in a good spot then. Just getting ancy!! I want to see bulls in those pics!! Haha

[vandeman17]

My concern is when the bulls decide to show up..the short season will be over!! Should I be trying to locate bach herds instead right now??

My opinion is that if you find them now, they won't be there come your season. I would rather try to locate where they want to go, not where they have been 

Thanks bud!! Sounds like I am in a good spot then. Just getting ancy!! I want to see bulls in those pics!! Haha

How many cams do you have out? If you have located the cows on one cam maybe try to go a half mile or more in a few directions and hang another one. Wouldn't surprise me if the bachelor groups aren't far off.

[Styles]

Just one up now!! Public land makes me nervous to hang too many cams!! Haha. But yes I like what you are thinking. I'll take another one up next trip!! Right now the cam is between feeding and bedding areas!

[Old Man Yager]

Ya, try moving your camera, you don't have to move it far, just do a little prospecting in the same general area, and then move it back to your original spot to see if they start showing yet.

[vandeman17]

Just one up now!! Public land makes me nervous to hang too many cams!! Haha. But yes I like what you are thinking. I'll take another one up next trip!! Right now the cam is between feeding and bedding areas!

I know what you mean but they are at risk no matter where you put them so to me, why the heck not. Depending on elevation, I have found that the bulls will be a little higher during the summer time and also tend to avoid thicker timber areas for which I assume is because of their tender new bone growth. Do you have salt out?

[Styles]

Yeah we have been refilling their stash every couple of weeks!! I really have 2 options from where I am at now. Head towards water or head up higher but it's timber. Not over grown but thick enough.


Thanks for the info Old Man!! I would of stuck around longer today but the skeeters almost drained me of blood today!! They were horrific!!

[vandeman17]

Yeah we have been refilling their stash every couple of weeks!! I really have 2 options from where I am at now. Head towards water or head up higher but it's timber. Not over grown but thick enough.


Thanks for the info Old Man!! I would of stuck around longer today but the skeeters almost drained me of blood today!! They were horrific!!

Perfect, two cameras should do it then 

[jackelope]

My concern is when the bulls decide to show up..the short season will be over!! Should I be trying to locate bach herds instead right now??

It wouldn't hurt to know both the cows and the bulls. I'd hate to get in there come season and only have half the knowledge you need.

[billythekidrock]

I have a draw only bull tag, and all three of my cams are targeting bachelor herds. I get far more bulls than cows. I suppose they could move some from now till then but I first need to figure out which are the shooters. I don't want to wind up killing a dink 6 just because he's the first or only I can find.

Keep tabs on them, but find the cows soon.
The bulls will start branching out and may leave just before the season starts.

[ridgefire]

I would personally be looking for rubs and wallows from previous years and not be to terribly worried about seeing elk. Find traditional rutting areas and you should be fine.

[huntnnw]

As cool as it is to get bull pics on cam, Id be worried if thats all it is. If you have no cows hitting your salt those bulls will be gone come late Aug. I would much rather have lots of cows on a cam cause for sure some bulls will show up in late Aug. People get to caught up in hunt hunt dates and the rut...In all the years I have chased elk I have yet to find a herd of cows in late Aug and early Sept that doesnt have a bull with them and Im not talking a spike bull either.

[Bean Counter]

I would personally be looking for rubs and wallows from previous years and not be to terribly worried about seeing elk. Find traditional rutting areas and you should be fine.

As far as finding bachelor herds this summer, this has been my primary magnet. I have just bumbled around the woods looking for areas with lots of rubs, then hung my cams and dumped salt. Seems to have worked so far. Rubbing occurs when? mid to late August? So if they're there now, and will be there until they rub, they may or may not be there when they decide to form a harem...