Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: NorseNW on September 20, 2024, 07:57:26 PM

Title: Stay or go???
Post by: NorseNW on September 20, 2024, 07:57:26 PM: Last season I was lucky enough to get a shooter bull on one of my trail cameras the day after archery ended so I knew he was still kicking. Saw him opening day of muzzy but couldn't seal the deal and never saw him again.

Hunting the same area this year I have one shooter bull on camera on 9/1 but haven't seen him since. My other spot (4 miles away) has a very active trail but only showing no shooter bulls (a 1x2 and two spikes) and some cows. I re-hung some cameras today hoping to see something shootable by the day before it opens but I don't have much confidence.

Curious what some folks with far more experience and success than I do would do in this situation. My thoughts are wait until the opener and see what the cameras say (I'm not sure I will have time to make it back to pull camera before the season starts). If there is no change in the cameras I still may hunt a couple days and then head to plan B. The problem is I don't really have a plan B right now.

Thank you
Title: Re: Stay or go???
Post by: Big6bull on September 20, 2024, 08:21:58 PM: I’d focus on the area with more cows, regardless what bulls I see now
Title: Re: Stay or go???
Post by: mr.ktm95 on September 20, 2024, 09:01:13 PM: Listen for bugles, they’ll tell ya right where they are!
Title: Re: Stay or go???
Post by: Grind86 on September 23, 2024, 06:10:24 AM: The rut is in full swing rt now. Bulls aren’t going to be where they were two weeks ago. They’re on the move. Big boys have found their herds and satellites will be in the area trying to get a piece of assction. You find cows, you find the bulls. Get out to where you want to hunt early in the morning. I’d do an hour before sun up and just listen. If you don’t hear anything, just rip off a short locate bugle. Even if you sound awful, you should get a response. And if it’s crickets, move on to the next drainage until you hear what you’re looking for. Good luck
Title: Re: Stay or go???
Post by: brokenvet on September 23, 2024, 07:00:54 AM: You will not see much at home, definitely will not shoot a bull at home, unless you shoot *censored*e.
Title: Re: Stay or go???
Post by: boneaddict on September 23, 2024, 07:23:42 AM: I’ve never used a game camera, so have never let one make my decision for me. If there are elk there then I hunt. If not, then move on. Pretty simple strategy that has worked wonders for me.