Only cows on game cam. Stay or go?

[milksnake12]

I've had a game cam up in one of my spots for over a month that's getting tons of cows on a daily biases (salt lick and apples). I had one small spike show up one day, but that was it for bulls.

Should I give up on this location and look specifically for bulls, or stick with this location hoping that the bulls will show up in September?

Sorry if this is a basic question. New to elk hunting and didn't find an answer looking on Google.

[coop2424]

I personally am looking for cows on cam now more than Bulls..  Bulls are nice since that is what we are hunting but the Bulls will come to the cows.. I personally would leave it where it is.

[MLBowhunting]

Where you find the cows you will have bulls come closer to the rut..

[vandeman17]

Where you find the cows you will have bulls come closer to the rut..

Agreed. If you have a bull tag or in a bull unit, go to where the ladies are and the boys will show up when its time to party

[Gringo31]

Welcome Milkshake!

[Skyvalhunter]

Take a cow they have really good meat I heard.

[milksnake12]

That's what I was thinking. Just wanted a more experienced opinion.

Is there a good chance the cows will still be in the area in a month? They've been there a month already?

[vandeman17]

That's what I was thinking. Just wanted a more experienced opinion.

Is there a good chance the cows will still be in the area in a month? They've been there a month already?

Tough to say for sure but I have had cows stay on my cams all summer and through hunting season

[Skyvalhunter]

From my experience yes as long as people don't start visiting the area. They have a tendency to chase them out of the area.

[milksnake12]

I'll stick it out. Thanks for all the fast replies!

[Dhoey07]

Are you in an Any Elk area?  If you are new to elk hunting, maybe you want to shoot a cow.  Aint nothing wrong with meat in the freezer 

[milksnake12]

I'm in an any elk area. I hunt to provide meat for my family so taking a cow would be fine. The only reason I would prefer to take a bull is to keep the baby makers alive for future hunts.

But if a cow walks in front of me, It will most likely end up in the freezer 

[PlateauNDN]

Stay, think of it as a bar. If your single hanging with your friends and you guys go out, you go looking for the ladies. You have the ladies so wait for the guys to come to you.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I'd stay. Welcome to the site!

[4fletch]

Bulls have been documented to travel 20 miles or more to getsum.

[RadSav]

I am a little different than most it seems.  I see July and early August cows, in most areas, as nurseries.  Especially if you have a lot of calves with spots.  Except in resident herd locations these cows move up toward the bulls mid August.  So while I wouldn't necessarily abandon this location I would certainly start looking for bulls.  Just as I wouldn't stay put hunting wintering areas come early archery season.

They are not deer or bear.  They are elk!  Very different travel routines, nursing routines and rut behavior.

[LeviD1]

Dang! Nice pic. I would stay. I would also recommend taking someone else to shoot one as well. Who has two thumbs and is in spokane  (this guy) haha