ESB75
FNG
Looking for some guidance on what elevation other hunters are finding the elk in these units, during the rut and also 2nd rifle season. I have hunted these units for the last 7 years and have been successful killing cows and raghorns. Over the years I have noticed that the elk tend to be at treeline on Ptarmigan Peak, Porcupine Bowl, Mt Nystrom, Saint Louis Peak, Steelman headwaters, etc., right up until the end of August. As soon as the archery season starts most of the elk disappear into the timber. The nice bulls I glassed all summer vanish! I have been fortunate to fill my tags, but not with the mature bulls I have glassed in July and August. The majority of my tags have been filled at 9,500' on South and Southwest facing slopes that have aspens and meadows. I am a backpack hunter. I ambush the elk when they are coming down to feed at night. This method has worked with my rifle and my bow. While this tactic has been effective for filling the freezer, it hasn't produced a good bull. The books I have read (Eastman, Laubach, Curtis, Robb, et al) indicate that the bulls gather up harems and rut in timber pockets. Supposedly big bulls keep their harems confined to a small area while they are rutting. This explains why I am not seeing the elk in the bowls and at treeline during archery season. But where are the "pockets?"
Can anyone weigh in on how to find these timber pockets where the elk rut? What elevations do you find them at (assume Colorado mountain ranges with peaks up to 14,000' - i.e. not Wyoming)?
Last question: What elevation and terrain do other hunters bump mature bulls during second rifle? From my reading, it seems that after the rut the mature bulls go up to higher elevations and confine themselves to places where few hunters will go. Again, what are likely elevations to find these "hidey holes?"
Thanks in advance. I am looking to step up my game and connect with a nice bull, on public land in the OTC units I hunt. The bulls are definitely there, I just need to some help on what elevations and terrain are most likely to hold a good bull.
Can anyone weigh in on how to find these timber pockets where the elk rut? What elevations do you find them at (assume Colorado mountain ranges with peaks up to 14,000' - i.e. not Wyoming)?
Last question: What elevation and terrain do other hunters bump mature bulls during second rifle? From my reading, it seems that after the rut the mature bulls go up to higher elevations and confine themselves to places where few hunters will go. Again, what are likely elevations to find these "hidey holes?"
Thanks in advance. I am looking to step up my game and connect with a nice bull, on public land in the OTC units I hunt. The bulls are definitely there, I just need to some help on what elevations and terrain are most likely to hold a good bull.