November bull tactics

[TradLife406]

I burned 18 points on a bull tag for here in Montana. I've shot a a few elk with a trad bow and one with my truck. I've never rifled one.

The area has some good glassing points with timber pockets. And I've got some good areas to check out already. And I'm already doing scouting runs.

There anything you guys are doing to find the big mature heard bulls in November? Places they usually hold up?

Then for planning my three weeks of vacation is it better to try and get the tag filled opening morning or wait for the pressure to die down and hope for snow and cold and go the last half of the season?

It's not the most exclusive tag in the state. But it's the closest draw tag to my front door, an hour away and there's been some 380's killed in there. So there will be some pressure with the other tag holders and cow hunters.

 

[Ross]

Never skip an opening day. I would hunt the first 5 days and then play the weather. The old guys will find little nasty haunts come November and often not move much. Your best friend will be heavy snow the 2-3 week to help move them along with cold temps. Get the right combo and they will be out feeding longer early and late and be vulnerable to long distances sightings and ambushes. Southern exposure can be really good that last week offering many hours behind glass. Late season can be really good and fun, but a challenge due to weather

 

[Marble]

My favorite and most productive days to kill bigger bulls is the day proceeding a fairly large snow storm. They will tend to be in more open terrain like Aspen and will lay in the sun until mid-day. The advice above is spot on.

 

[WormSportsman]

Nice man, congrats! I’ve seen some of my biggest bulls in Montana in the November months when I’m chasing Muleys in some nastier canyon stuff off the beaten path. As stated I would hope for some good snow to get em moving and you can glass their tracks across canyons in the snow. Good luck this year and keep us posted.