Elk heard size in October

[Canuck]

Hi guys,

I guess I should introduce myself. I come from the great white north farmland of Alberta and will be heading west on Oct 10 for 6 days into elk country. I've been out 2 seasons prior with some luck but no meat so bought Pauls whole set and have been studying hard for the big exam. Definetly got my confidence up and am pumped to get out there.

Obviously it will be a mostly post rut hunt (damn harvest) but i expect to get into some bugling like I did at the same time last year. My question is what happens to the heards once the majority of the breading is done. I understand that the heard bulls try to keep his harem together through rut but once they are bread does he have much interest in keeping his cows together? Or does he go out alone just search for straggling cows that didnt get caught in first rut? I'm trying to picture what the atmosphere would be like then, cow heards that have bulls running through checking for estrus cows or do the bulls keep his cows right through.

For reference i'm hunting a mix of farmland and forest hill ranges. During the winter the migrate down into the fields for food but it is by no means a mountain hunt. We hunt the transition zones between the forest and farmland.

Thanks for any help and as you can tell I've hunted elk 10x more in my head than on foot.

Canuck

[Rangerz]

I'll try and help although far from an expert.

Cow herds will probably stay @ the same size. If the rut is over herd Bulls head to some isolated spot to recuperate. Satellite bulls will still hang out together.

Look for groups feeding in the morning and evening. If only cows, rut is probably over, but can start again if a cow comes into late estrus. If rut is over, look for the bigger Bulls in isolated small pockets.

Good luck!@