Post by: AKBowman on December 14, 2010, 11:28:07 PM
I've been hunting the same 2 square mile area for about 4 years now in the late season and have really been concetrating on a relatively small area trying to learn escape routes, bedding areas, travel patterns, etc. This yr there were no elk in my area so I was able to learn some new land and found an area that had closed gates year round (dont open for rifle) and it was an awesome two days. Unfortunately the season closed on me and the storm hit so I was out there hunting monday and today all day. The bonus was the new area I was hunting was open for anything but a spike so I was excited about possibly running into a bull.
After arriving at this new spot I ran into a couple different areas that had a good amount of Bull sign. I couldnt believe how fresh these rubs were. Ive never seen rubs like this this late in the year, but its only my 4th yr hunting elk so my knowledge is limited. Anyhow I hunted in the general area of these rubs (sitting on trails til the wind changed which seemed like every five minutes and sitting in small cuts or openings) mostly still hunting down ridge lines trying to keep the wind in my favor. I spotted a bull once Monday around 2 in the afternoon cruising in the timber. He was moving away so I am assuming he made my wind somehow.
For the season I was able to loose one arrow which was deflected by brush and a clean miss. I was within 50 yrds 3 or 4 times and within 25 twice but never was able to make it happen. I spent the last 2 days pretty much hutning for one bull and it was a gamble but learned much in the process. I didnt know the area well so the first good area I found with decent sign I hunted real hard.
Id be interested to hear what peoples thoughts are about the fresh rubs. What has been your experience?
Post by: AKBowman on December 14, 2010, 11:33:15 PM
Post by: BLUEBULLS on December 15, 2010, 08:36:43 AM
I always figured maybe they rub post rut just to rub, I see lots of fresh rubs right up until they drop their horns.
Elknut probably has a solid answer.
Post by: MuleyMadness on December 15, 2010, 09:53:44 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 15, 2010, 10:13:19 AM
Post by: AKBowman on December 15, 2010, 10:35:46 AM
Its impossible to say for sure, but IMO the firs were stripped by a little prick. ;)
What do you mean? Like a spike or something?
Post by: teanawayslayer on December 15, 2010, 06:33:46 PM
Post by: AKBowman on December 15, 2010, 06:47:42 PM
porcipine
No, they were elk rubs for sure. I took the $hits eye view pic you can see there. Also there were tracks littered around the tree and scuff marks on the ground, etc.
Still not sure why they would be doing this this late in the season. I even tried bugling really softly a couple times mixed with cow/calf calls just in cade there was some freakishly late cow in the area coming into estrus.
Post by: AKBowman on December 15, 2010, 07:13:34 PM
First one looks like Bear damage to me. I did watch a Spike work over a tree in late archery this year, when I walk up to the tree it looked like a big bull had worked it over. I was shocked at how big of a rub that spike made. I also have Video of a Bull moose in Spokane during late Muzzle loader this year the weekend after thanksgiving that did a number on a tree for no reason other than he could. and my third, a buddy and I were hunting east side late archery years ago and found a Rub from a good size bull (we were following the Bull) that looked like the ones they make in September there were branches and bark all over the snow..so in closing I have no idea why they rub this time of year but they do.. But I think some of the pictures posted are Bear and Porcupine damage.
You can clearly see where the tines were digging into the tree. Porcupine marks are different and so is bear damage with claw marks. Anyhow doesnt really matter more interested in if a guy would be able to call one in using rut calling techniques.
Post by: MLhunter1 on December 15, 2010, 09:32:02 PM
Post by: chester on December 15, 2010, 09:35:07 PM
First one looks like Bear damage to me. I did watch a Spike work over a tree in late archery this year, when I walk up to the tree it looked like a big bull had worked it over. I was shocked at how big of a rub that spike made. I also have Video of a Bull moose in Spokane during late Muzzle loader this year the weekend after thanksgiving that did a number on a tree for no reason other than he could. and my third, a buddy and I were hunting east side late archery years ago and found a Rub from a good size bull (we were following the Bull) that looked like the ones they make in September there were branches and bark all over the snow..so in closing I have no idea why they rub this time of year but they do.. But I think some of the pictures posted are Bear and Porcupine damage.
You can clearly see where the tines were digging into the tree. Porcupine marks are different and so is bear damage with claw marks. Anyhow doesnt really matter more interested in if a guy would be able to call one in using rut calling techniques.
To answer your question though. No it would probably not be effective to hunt them with rut techniques.
Post by: Bigfoot on December 16, 2010, 01:27:09 AM
Post by: Bigshooter on December 16, 2010, 01:31:38 AM
Post by: lewy on December 16, 2010, 06:36:13 AM