Pre-Season Scouting CO ?'s

[xziang]

I was able to get out to CO last weekend to do some scouting in a new (OTC) area this year and was finally able to find some elk. I didn't leave the established trail due to time and safety concerns but was still able to spot some elk. I'm still a rookie with elk so I'm constantly learning and haven't even pulled the bow back on one yet. (reason for pre-season scouting and change of location)

Some questions I have is will the elk generally stick within a 2 mile range of where I found them? (ASSUMING they don't get bumped)

Also I was able to find two groups of about a dozen but didn't see any bulls with them, along with a bigger group too. The bigger group was to far off so I couldn't be 100% sure if a bull was with them. Will the bulls more than likely be in 'bachelor' groups early in the season? (FYI I'm shooting the first thing within range, might even consider a calf LOL)

One group was seen in the middle of the day in a high meadow just sunning themselves. I hadn't expected this for thought they would have been lower in the shade of the trees.

Anyway the area has some steep areas which I'm hoping I'll be able to glass for them again come Sept.



2nd Group

 

[ahlgringo]

To your first question- No, they will not stick to a two mile range- they are where they are- way to many factors to predict (weather, rut, pressure, etc) but elk will travel much more than two miles, but cool you got to see some. To your second question- yes most bulls are with bulls right now. Hope that helps and good luck!!!

 

[BruinPoint]

The answer to #1 in my opinion is a definite maybe. Something could change, or it might not. "My" elk tend to hang tight to their favorite spots, even with moderate hunting pressure but I know it's not that way all over. Right now all but the young bulls will be in bachelor groups, although they may be near the main herds.

 

[fltlndr]

I was out last weekend an glassed well over 100 elk, all above tree line, but no bulls. I'm sure they were around, just out of sight--something's gotta breed all those cows come September. Under 4 weeks now!

 

[yak]

Like others have mentioned, there is no guarantee that the elk will be right where you left them (or <2mi). With that said, the first place I would look come late August is where you saw them last. Looks like the area is the type of country where glassing will be a advantageous tactic for first and last light. Last year in early august we found a large bachelor group and a small group of cows ~1.5 miles apart. Come archery season, all the action was where we found the cows. If you can find groups of cows in September, the bulls will be close. The bulls are bachelor-ed up right now and cows/calfs/spikes are herded up. The bulls are probably nearby, and getting prepped to rub their velvet off.

 

[Bar]

The first time they see hunters it all changes. All elk have to do in life is eat, sleep, and stay alive.

 

[ahlgringo]

I think Bulls have to bang Cows too!!

 

[Bar]

All elk have to do in life is eat, sleep, bang cows, and stay alive.

 

[bridgerbenson]

We are heading out the 12th of aug. to scout for a couple days, not hunting till the 16th of Sept. Looking forward to getting out there.