Pre-season Elk behaviors: what do you think?

[smartazz171]

This is my third year hunting archery Elk, and would like all of your opinions.  I usually hunt in the jungles of Mataline Falls, and Have been fairly successful.  I have always hunted the same old clearcut and for two years now, the rutting activity has been heavy each year in the same place. This year, I drew a tag for a new area. so here's my question:

Do elk (assuming nothing dramatically changes)  have a specific area they choose to rut in every year?  For instance, If you went scouting before the rut and you were to come upon a new area with last years scrapes and torn up saplings, could that be a productive spot come this year? I have heard stories of times before and after the rut where hunters have found groups of bulls, but once the rut hit nothing was there. 

Also do the cows seem to stay in the same area's and if the cows are there, once the rut hits, will bulls end up there as well?

Hope that question made since  Just wanted to hear everyone's thoughts on what to look for while scouting before the rut!
Thanks

[vandeman17]

There is alot to that question and many factors that determine the answer. For me, I have found that the elk move into the same "general area" during the rut because I have found trees that have had fresh rubs and the tree next to it has one from the previous year. It could just be lucky but who knows. My theory is that the cows prefer the area that time of year and the bulls just follow. Like you said, you can see a bunch of bulls together before and after the rut but during, they go to where the cows are. 

[br8kitoff]

I've been hunting the same area for 20 years and have found that the elk have favorite spots and then the next favorite spot dependant on pressure from hunters.  You can usually bet that they will have anywhere from 4 to 8 "favorite spots".  I have also seen as one bulls moves out because he doesn't "like " it anymore, another will move in.  When the rut picks up you will find that the satilite bulls along with hunters will be pushing the herd bull also.  It just boils down to having an idea where they might be, where they might go and putting on the miles to find them.  Remember that elk don't think twice about "going for a walk" around 12 miles....further if pushed.  Good luck and be in shape.

[carpsniperg2]

depends on the area,weather etc a lot to consider. the elk we have here are renegade sons of a gun and they travel so much i do not think they use the same areas every year. the wallows here seem to be hit in Aug but not in September for some reason i would not put it past them if there is a dense population to use the same areas but if they are spread out more i don't think they will come back to the same spot each year.

[smartazz171]

Ya, In the one area a have always hunted, I have found they come back to the same clear cut every year.  Problem is I'm hunting a new area and haven't been able to find a good area yet.  At least away from people.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

  just my 
In my observations of Elk  I have seen that the Bull works at getting and keeping his small (or large) herd of cows together, and the herd follows the lead cow.
Rutting behavior occurs wherever he happens to be,
if he is "hanging with the boys" , as in previous to the rut when they are still in bachelor groups, they are usually just starting to rub the velvet off, and you will see smaller rubs and as they start to get more fired up you will see the rubs become more pronounced.
Once they get separated, and pick up cows, the rubs become more of a destroyed tree type thing, where they will demolish an area arround the tree, and stab there antlers into the ground, bend trees over, etc...
where these spots are is due to the lead cow liking the area, not the bull chosing it.
A lead cow will sometimes be the oldest elk in the herd, and she knows where it is safe (or at least WAS safe)
and will return to her favorite spots year after year.

[bonkellekter]

Out of curiosity what tag did you draw? I also hunt up near Ione/Metaline Falls and been hoping to draw a "good" tag. There is a good chance that there will be rut activity in the same area but you won't know for sure til september, I definately would not discount the area. If they are not "right" there they're probably not too far away!

[cle elum bowhunter]

bonekellelter, I have a Selkirk moose tag.  Any info you are willing to depart in a Pm?

[smartazz171]

I drew a Peaches Ridge Tag...  Coming form Mataline to Cle Elum, I'm more concerned about getting as far as possible for people.  I know it's hard though.

[buglebrush]

Out of curiosity what tag did you draw? I also hunt up near Ione/Metaline Falls and been hoping to draw a "good" tag. There is a good chance that there will be rut activity in the same area but you won't know for sure til september, I definately would not discount the area. If they are not "right" there they're probably not too far away!

I just moved to this area from Idaho.  Do you bow or gun hunt?

[bonkellekter]

Out of curiosity what tag did you draw? I also hunt up near Ione/Metaline Falls and been hoping to draw a "good" tag. There is a good chance that there will be rut activity in the same area but you won't know for sure til september, I definately would not discount the area. If they are not "right" there they're probably not too far away!

I just moved to this area from Idaho.  Do you bow or gun hunt?

Archery for me... I just can't get enough of them bugling bulls

[Elknut1]

 Yep, bulls come to the cows! Elk have general breeding areas that they have a tendency to use every year!

  Staying put in the area you're finding them now all depends on the hunting pressure, feed, cover & water supply? It's possible but just as possible they'll look for greener pastures so to speak! Keep tabs on them & their movements if you can & try to be the first hunter in there once season opens, that will give you good odds if others haven't put in the scouting time like you have!

  If you feel others are hunting it then look for those escape routes & sit & wait the elk out. I prefer calling & getting in the way of the elk in the direction they want to be going, elk have a tendency not to go back towards calling where they just came from but are much more apt to check out elk sounds if they are on the way they are already heading, sorta like turkey hunting!

  ElkNut1

[buglebrush]

Out of curiosity what tag did you draw? I also hunt up near Ione/Metaline Falls and been hoping to draw a "good" tag. There is a good chance that there will be rut activity in the same area but you won't know for sure til september, I definately would not discount the area. If they are not "right" there they're probably not too far away!

I just moved to this area from Idaho.  Do you bow or gun hunt?

Archery for me... I just can't get enough of them bugling bulls

Ya, me too. I wish everyone else would gun hunt though.  Less pressure in bow season   especially since washington's season's are so stupidly short and miss the peak of the rut.