Where are the bulls?

[boneill]

Hey all, I'm fairly new to elk hunting and am going all in on archery elk this year. I plan on hunting western WA, unit 560 near Mt. Adams. I've been scouring an area and am finding a lot of elk sign. I have 4 cameras up and have been getting hundreds of elk pictures every couple weeks. The only thing is, all I'm seeing are cows and calves. When I found this spot last year I was scouting it for Blacktails, and ended up getting a few nice bulls on the camera, hence my return this year...so I know bulls were in here last year mid September. I'm hoping they'll be back this year around that same time? I'm just a bit nervous I haven't seen any sign.

So, I'm wondering, do I keep sticking it out in this area, hoping there are bulls in the area and I'm just not finding them, or should I start looking more at some of my secondary pieces of land? Where are the bulls right now? I know they are in bachelor groups, but should I be looking for anything specifically to find them right now?

Any advice is much appreciated!

[kirkl]

If the cows are in the area then the Bulls will be to come September for the rut.

[MountainWalk]

Can't have all them calves without a bull or three.

[bobcat]

I don't think you need to worry about finding the bulls. They will move to where the cows are in September. More concerning would be if you were only seeing bulls and no cows.

[scoutdog346]

In your situation i would rather see lots of cows like u r then say 7 or 8 bulls and few cows becouse if ir seeing that many cows ur sitting good...stay there...the bulls will come.  Put a salt lick out to keep them there but not that sweet stuff.

[Hot Lunch]

Bulls are higher and together, they will be finding the cows soon enough. You are on the right track if you are on the cows!

[boneill]

I'm a bit late on this, but thought I would follow up...

You were all right- the bulls definitely moved in. I wasn't able to seal the deal on any of them, but it definitely made it easier to stay focused on the hunt knowing there were a few nice bulls in the area!

It was my first year elk hunting, and I definitely learned a lot...and got beat down pretty bad. Elk hunting is no joke! Great experience- much different than deer hunting.

[boneill]

Tough to see this fella, but he had a cool drop tine

[boneill]

This guy was the smallest of the 3

[boneill]

Big boy pushing cows..I found some of his beds, but was never able to get eyes on him

[boneill]

One more of the big fella...

[blackveltbowhunter]

Awesome!! nice pics and great bulls

[SniperDanWA]

Awesome!! nice pics and great bulls

Looks to me like you'll pull it off, based on your pics and attitude.  Stay positive and good job so far.

[cooltimber]

stick with it.just a matter of time!

[SeatoSummit88]

How bout that first one. The neck on that thing was incredible. Great shots!