Keenan Meadows Elk

[Seeanyelk]

This was year six archery hunting out of Manashtash Camp and up near Keenan Meadows.  Know of at least three cow's that were taken during the season but was wondering if anyone knows of any bulls taken?  Or any other success stories for the area during Muzzleloader?  Saw a nice bull two day's before the end of the season all alone and didn't hear hardly any bugles, but it was also really hot this year.  Latter.

[colockumelk]

The weather doesn't have any effect on whether the elk bugle or not.  The thing that effects the rut is whether or not cows are coming into estrus.  If they are not coming into estrus there won't be huge screaming matches.

The heat and moon cycles will however dictate how early the elk head towards their bedding and how late they head back to feed.  Not trying to blast you but every year guys complain about how hot it is and that must be why the bulls are not bugling. 

If guys on here are not hearing bulls bugle or cannot get bulls to bugle that's because they are not where the bulls are!  Every year 2/3 of the guys say the bulls "weren't bugling this year" and 1/3 of the guys say "the bulls where on fire screaming every where."

[3dvapor]

totally agree but also add that bull to cow ratios intensify the rut.  if those numbers are low so will the amount of bulls you are hearing.  in other words no competition.  hunting in a unit with bull to cow ratios at 45 - 55 bulls per 100 cows is unbelievable. 10 bulls per hundred cows is par for alot of units.  pathetic, demand more its worth the wait. 

[elk311]

been up in this area a lot in October. There's a fair amount of tracks and sign but seeing FAR less this year than in the past. Let's hope for snow to move 'em around a bit. Deer hunting in Manastash/Taneum was slim pickin's (at best) this year as well

[colockumelk]

totally agree but also add that bull to cow ratios intensify the rut.  if those numbers are low so will the amount of bulls you are hearing.  in other words no competition.  hunting in a unit with bull to cow ratios at 45 - 55 bulls per 100 cows is unbelievable. 10 bulls per hundred cows is par for alot of units.  pathetic, demand more its worth the wait. 

That is definately true.  I forgot to mention that part.  When the bull to cow ratio is like 20per 100 it is truly magical.  You can't get them to stop bugling.  But when it's like 5 per 100 (Colockum GMU's) you don't hear hardly anything other than locating bugles.