Cows Only ?

[jtmoose]

It's my second year learning to hunt.  Last year (my first year) I saw one cow and it was during blacktail season.  This year I have found a few small (5-8) heards of cows and spikes.  My question is, why aren't there bulls with them, or are they?  From what I understand, bulls leave their cows after the rut; if so, how far do they go away from those cows?  Am I getting closer by finding the cows or am I getting better but in the wrong direction?  Thank you for the help.

[cougforester]

I'd say that anytime you find elk, it can't be a bad thing. But normally post rut, bulls will go bury themselves in a vine maple brush hole to recover from the rut. On the other hand, just last week, I was working near Roslyn and saw a herd of 40-50 elk, 5-6 of which were bulls 

[Squidward]

Keep going were the elk are, the bulls can be around them. This past Sunday my partner killed a 3pt / 5x5 if you want, and it was with the cows. The early muzzy season this year, I seen 4 bulls 3 were off by them selves.
the one on the right is my bull he was by himself the bull on the left is a rifle bull he was with the cows.

[scrapperdude]

That's why its called hunting, what is the success rate on bull elks in most areas, probably around 5% just keep putting in the hard work and it'll eventually pay off.

[jtmoose]

Sounds good.  Do they usually climb higher or drop into valleys for privacy?

[Stein]

Sounds good.  Do they usually climb higher or drop into valleys for privacy?

Could be both, they are looking for cover and food.  Stay alive and eat as much as possible.  The good news is that if you find one, there are almost always more around in the area.