July scouting

[TradLife406]

How's July going? For me it's been a little slow finding bulls. 4th of July I found a bunch of cows in one hot spot I know about.
Last night I ran up and found a really decent bull though! Pan head malfunctioning had me using my trekking poles locked together so the pics were super blurry.

 

[D_wit22]

Wow. Where exactly did you say he is

 

[TradLife406]

Wow. Where exactly did you say he is

Just inside some private in a hard to draw unit in MT


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[patagonialuke]

That bull looks sweet!

Been watching a ton of cows and calves hang out in my local zone since May. The other day they formed a mega herd of 140+.

Started to see some solo bulls and small bachelor groups about three weeks ago. I've never seen anything particularly big in this area, but most that I've seen this year at least have enough points to be legal.

 

[TradLife406]

That bull looks sweet!

Been watching a ton of cows and calves hang out in my local zone since May. The other day they formed a mega herd of 140+.

Started to see some solo bulls and small bachelor groups about three weeks ago. I've never seen anything particularly big in this area, but most that I've seen this year at least have enough points to be legal.

Heck yeah!

I know finding the cows is almost more important going into September. But I really want to be able to set a realistic expectation to hold out for. Especially come November when I can sit back with the 6 UM and be picky.

 

[Andrew12gauge]

Pretty good

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[TradLife406]

Pretty good

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Might need another year


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[Upwolf]

I've been seeing a ton of bulls on camera in the middle of the night, it's been hard to see them during the day for me in the last few weeks.


(where this camera is located, it is currently legal).

 

[TradLife406]

My buddy who has a little private sent me this


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[ndfb35]

He'll do.

 

[fracguy]

Didn't draw a tag here but it's close to home and enjoy seeing them

 

[Huntsman21]

I've been seeing a ton of bulls on camera in the middle of the night, it's been hard to see them during the day for me in the last few weeks.


(where this camera is located, it is currently legal).

I don't have cams up this year, but from the ones I pulled last year, I was shocked how many big bulls were completely nocturnal. I would see small bulls during the day in person and on camera, but the big bulls showed up in the middle of the night. I had just about written this spot off until seeing those night bulls. I'm guessing they stay that way until the heat of the rut. Makes me rethink my strategy around there... No more early season.

 

[Upwolf]

I don't have cams up this year, but from the ones I pulled last year, I was shocked how many big bulls were completely nocturnal. I would see small bulls during the day in person and on camera, but the big bulls showed up in the middle of the night. I had just about written this spot off until seeing those night bulls. I'm guessing they stay that way until the heat of the rut. Makes me rethink my strategy around there... No more early season.

I had this same cam up last year and saw the same stuff. a bunch of nocturnal cruising bulls. But they started bugling pretty early, IMO, and cruising at dawn and dusk (and still at night) around August 15.

 

[longrangelead]

probably right at ears wide after velvet, looks like he'll be 4x4 w/eyeguards.

 

[TradLife406]

Hiked in a couple miles last night. Didn't see anything. But this morning I found five bulls in a bachelor group. Only one was a baby rag. The other four were 320+!

Looking like a goal of 340-350 is pretty realistic on this tag. Especially since I've never broken 300".

Now where they'll be in late November is the big question.

 

[TagSoup_Chef]

Found this thread after my first successful summer scouting trip. I hit 3 basins and glass 3 more from afar.

In one day I saw about 300 elk (20 good bulls spread between each basin), one big group of 200 cows, calves, and spikes.

Curious what designates worthwhile spots for season? I was definitely excited.

12k + elevation. ~6 mile radius.

My buddy has an archery tag so we will obviously go to this spot. Wonder if they will be around for my first rifle?

I have some lower elevation spots pinned for the potential snow or pressure….

 

[Beendare]

I have 4 cams setup but they are in spots that don't usually see a lot of activity until guys start pushing them around.

I have 5 dinks on one camera my buddy setup mid June - not one good bull yet.