Game Cams Show Lots of Bulls But No Cows - Come Rut, Will Bulls Be Gone?

[kingfisher]

There is an area I hunt in Montana where I have placed a number of game cameras. This is an area that is high mountains, that is within 2-6 miles of sage hills/wintering range. The sage/foothils are a mix of private/public. In the early summer, bulls began to show up in the mountains, but not the cows. I wasn't worried because I assumed the cows were all calving in the foothills. Come August, cams continue to show a lot of good bulls using the area. There are cows here and there on camera, but only a few. The question is, where are they? And come rut, will the bulls disappear, or will the bulls round up the the cows and push them into the mountains? Does anyone have any insight into the behavior? Thanks.

 

[buggy]

In my experience the bulls go where the cows are during the rut. I look for cows during the summer and the bulls will be there come September. At least in the areas I've hunted.

 

[idahohikker]

Sounds kinda bad news bears to me. As stated, you want to be finding cows. I see cows and herd bulls on private down low around ag fields often during the rut. The cows might be hitting the private now and the bulls will join.

 

[TheTone]

Are old rubs and wallows in the area and do you see fresh ones during season? If so they are staying there somewhere