How long will he stay?

[Elkaddict]

This bull and three others have been passing my camera since early May. I checked my cam yesterday and the water source for this meadow is nearly dry.  There is plenty of food, good cover and bedding but I am wondering how long the elk will stick around without water close by? How far will they walk to get water if that is the only reason to leave?

[Jonathan_S]

Great bull 

I would imagine that right about a week before September the elk will move somewhere else.  This always seems to happen to me anyway.  How many elk are in the area currently?  Cow numbers?

[Elkaddict]

I have pictures of cows, calves and a few mule deer mixed in. I have been finding cat sign but have not had any lion pictures yet. Its located in a north facing draw and usually holds elk all summer...but usually there is water all summer.

[Jonathan_S]

I mean if the cows are there, he'll be there in September right?  I assume this is a NE bull so he can't just wander willy-nilly for cows, he'll have to stay where they are.

Are you going early archery for him?

[Elkaddict]

Yep, archery...as much as I plan on slipping an arrow into this guy, he is in Washington which for me means the first legal animal with an ethical shot you take. It could be years before you get another chance. I have learned the hard way that passed up shots keeps an empty freezer!

[Jonathan_S]

Good luck.  Harvesting a big bull like that in the NE is rare air 

[MLBowhunting]

Elk need water daily.  I would assume he will move if the water is gone. 

[Jonathan_S]

Elk need water daily.  I would assume he will move if the water is gone.

Hard to believe it will be totally gone but if there isn't much livable terrain then I suppose they would have to migrate out 

[Elkaddict]

I have checked my cam twice since this last post...there is still water if you are willing to look. If anything, 3 different Bulls have showed up which makes me think other areas are drying up and this area still can supply what they need. Get a load of this new guy...yowza!

[coachcw]

Good bull . What tag you holding ?

[benhuntin]

Good bull . What tag you holding ?

NE is any elk for archery

[coachcw]

We assume it's NE ?..

[Elkaddict]

NE. I like seeing a big bull or big buck as much as any hunter, but I really could care less. To me the trophy is the gift of the meat and the freedom to hunt.  So I hunt the "any elk" units as I hate passing up shots because of spike only, etc.

[Buffalo Hump]

Couple of NE corner bulls, so we can assume they are, since mine also has the double dagger on the same side lol

[huntnnw]

all bets are off with bulls as the rut approaches