Do bulls separate after they shed?

[Doublelunger]

I was looking at elk the other day from accross a big canyon. I saw 7 bulls together all still packing both sides. 200 yards away from that group was another group of 8 elk,  none of which had antlers. I figured they were cows and didn't really think much of it.  Now I'm wondering if they were all bulls and half of them were shed? Anyone ever see them segregate after shedding??

[Buckhunter24]

I haven't noticed that at all, I've seen bulls that have shed and have a few inches new growth with bulls that haven't shed. But don't take my word, I don't want to be responsible for bad info in case there's 8 sets laying out on that hill 

[Rainier10]

 :yeah:I have not. I see the bulls in bachelor groups this time of year but in those groups I see some with antlers and others without.

[dilleytech]

Probably cows. Bulls don’t seem offended by bulls still packing.

[boneaddict]

No

[Pathfinder101]

:yeah:I have not. I see the bulls in bachelor groups this time of year but in those groups I see some with antlers and others without.

 

[Pinetar]

Actually, a bull may lay down and separate from the group for 24 hours or so after shedding but will be back in the group eventually.

[Humptulips]

I was looking at elk the other day from accross a big canyon. I saw 7 bulls together all still packing both sides. 200 yards away from that group was another group of 8 elk,  none of which had antlers. I figured they were cows and didn't really think much of it.  Now I'm wondering if they were all bulls and half of them were shed? Anyone ever see them segregate after shedding??

15 bull elk in one canyon. I know where I would be hunting if I thought they were all bulls. probably even if I thought only the seven were bulls.

[Doublelunger]

Interesting. I've heard from a few die hard shed hunters that sometimes they do separate. None the less I hiked into the canyon where I spotted the bulls and couldn't find a darn thing.

[Rainier10]

Saturday I had six bulls walking around together, 4 shed 2 still packing. Sunday morning same six elk walked away together, one still packing a now five that had shed.

[HntnFsh]

Saturday I had six bulls walking around together, 4 shed 2 still packing. Sunday morning same six elk walked away together, one still packing a now five that had shed.

How many sheds did you find?

[Rainier10]

Saturday I had six bulls walking around together, 4 shed 2 still packing. Sunday morning same six elk walked away together, one still packing a now five that had shed.

How many sheds did you find?

Zero. Gonna look again this weekend

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Now, I am not an expert..
Yet I see elk on fairly regular times throughout the year.
.
Western Washington and the herd usually is always together.
.
I don't see bachelor groups, I see mixed..
Period.
.
Honestly, even the "nice" bulls are always with the main group.
.
My personal best is 242", and I really don't care about antlers.
.
But the herds I see live together all year.
.
Western Washington, find a herd?
.
It's a mix.
Honestly,  they live with mom like my own kids.
.
Only time it matters is during hunting season.
.
And the average bull is 2-3 years old?
.
I wish we had the opportunity for 5-6 year old bulls.
.
But.,
.
Unless we go back to a management perspective of pushing carrying capacity, and harvest objective.
.
Don't kill the baby makers, don't regulate the harvest objective, regulate the opportunity.
.
3pr or better state wide.
No antlerless.
. until the actual math adds up.
.
In the 1980's there were 14,000+ elk in a herd that is now 9000, and struggling?
.
.
I actually feel sorry for you guys that missed the end of days.
.
Or, before the commission.
.
If they just put the guys in charge of our planter trout ...
They don't care about our resources, they just care about their paychecks.
.

[Buckhunter24]

Thats interesting, is that in far sw Washington? Typically the only bulls I see with cows this time of year are the little spikes, and the branched bulls are grouped up.

[HntnFsh]

Thats interesting, is that in far sw Washington? Typically the only bulls I see with cows this time of year are the little spikes, and the branched bulls are grouped up.

Same here!