found 3 bulls by accident

[Eric M]

So I only bought an elk tag this year "just in case". But while looking for deer I stumbled on a small bachelor group. The spike showed up first on my camera. A couple days later a 5 point bull together with a 4 pt with one broken horn. Those two almost scared the pee out of me because I'd seen bears in that area before. Then I saw the horns over the brush. Ok I'm hooked now. A day or 2 later I'm sneaking in in the morning and I glass a tiny field I have to pass. There lays the spike 40 or so yards away. I figure okay I won't set up today I'll just get some cool pictures since it's the 2nd of September. I accidentally bump my trigger release trying to pull my camera out of my pocket and that clicking noise was like a shotgun! So the spike jumps up and stands there posing but it's too dark for pictures. I hold still and it slowly wanders off, barking at me for about 20 minutes. The next day the five point comes in and eats. I threw a block of salt out in desperation-didn't help. Haven't seen them since morning of the 4th. I think they went to find cows and I have no idea where to look. I don't know if I want advice or a pity party. The GMU is any elk. I guess the season used to be earlier too. Oh well some good days in the woods anyway. Any thoughts or advice?

[Cougar125]

My thought is bring help and another hunter.    2 elk, 2 people to pack it out.

[Eric M]

That would be great but they vanished. No pictures no sign that isn't a few days old-nothing. Ive been doing a lot of hiking and driving trying to find the cows but nothing. And there were a lot of people in that area over the holiday weekend.

[Cougar125]

That would be great but they vanished. No pictures no sign that isn't a few days old-nothing. Ive been doing a lot of hiking and driving trying to find the cows but nothing. And there were a lot of people in that area over the holiday weekend.

That will do it.  Hopefully your camera comes up with something by Saturday for you!

[Eric M]

I'm staying away from the area. It's pretty quiet in there except on weekends and all the deer I've seen or could've shot had fawns with them. The area is an abandoned homestead with apple trees. I'm hoping they like it there. There are a couple of torn up saplings and a lot of bedding areas. I never saw a cow in this area. would they stay interested in the feed or is it rut time and they are gone?

[Cougar125]

The apple trees will most likely keep them there.  They learn to pattern people just like we learn to pattern animals.  They avoid it when it is busy. 

I'd say try to get in mid-week sometime, well before light to get yourself situated.  You'll still have to be quiet and everything else, but it'll probably up your chance of success.

[Eric M]

Thanks. Hope to get a look at them when the season starts. I thought maybe they would've moved on for the rut

[bobcat]

I'd say you're right and the bulls left to find the cows, wherever they are. I bet at least one of the bulls will be back sometime in the next couple of weeks, but probably not for long. This is one of those deals when an earlier archery opener would be a very good thing.

[Eric M]

That's what I figured Bobcat. Well, it was sure cool seeing them and learning a little. Thanks guys, for the responses.

[bobcat]

Too bad you don't have a multi-season tag. Those bulls will very likely be back in there at some point. Try to keep your cameras in there until the end of December and then you'll have an idea what to do next year.

[Eric M]

Appreciate the advice. If nothing else, it raised my interest in elk hunting. That's what brought me to this forum. A lot of good information on here. Thanks again

[Little Fish]

I assume this is Western Washington. If that is the case I doubt those bulls went very far. Come hunting season I would hunt the area where you last saw them and if you don't find them use a locater bugle in the surrounding areas to see if you can get a response. I've blown elk out of an area one day only  to find them one ridge over the next.

[Eric M]

Thanks Little Fish. Yes it's Western Wa.  I don't have anything to lose, except my pride when I try to use my new mouth calls ha ha.