Hunting Bachelor groups late Aug/Early Sept?

[bownarrow]

This is a follow up to my previous post,with some new details I received from the guys in my group. Looking for some feedback. Here is the scenario: August 28-Sept 9 archery hunting an OTC unit in CO at 10,500 feet, tree line. Glassing at sunrise and sunsest bachelor group bulls (2-5 bulls) are visible feeding high, and then disappear into dark timber drainages to bed. You are camping 1000/1500 feet lower and walking up before light each morning, and the walk is steep and difficult once you get to the dar timber directly below the tree line. They are not vocal. How would you hunt them?

[Swede]

Bachelor groups seem to break up by the first of September from what I have seen. I think if there was still a group around in hunting season and I knew they were near by, I would try raking, stomping and rattling of "antlers". A hunter could try some cow calls instead to see if they would come to that.

[easeup]

that is a lot of climbing in the dark so my first attempt is to try to get higher for camp; maybe the highest water I can get to just below the treeline and set up there.
Being that close allows you to bugle at night to see if that will get you a reply. Then hike up to them the next morning and play the next card. Another thing is many of those high alpine areas are dry of water by late August; so you can find a seep or mud hole down in the trees usually close to the daytime bed. (see the threads about map reading on this forum as there is good discussion about how to speculate where these seeps will be before you get there). There is likely some good ambush spots near there for you to just wait. In the past I found some high traffic trails just below the TL where all if this takes place. The last day of my hunt a nice 5x5 pushed a handful of cows down off the top and along one of those trails and sometimes you just get lucky to be standing by a tree when they come walking by.

[8seconds]

As a solo I'd go about it in a two phase approach.

First, i would get above them before day (even bivuac) and do location and/or cow calling sparingly while keeping them in eye sight with a spotting scope/bino. if they continue to stay non vocal and you know the count and one is missing, look out for a quiet entry. This is all to see what frame of mind they are in.

If they stay quiet and stay in the routine, then i would work my way between the bedding area and where they are feeding for an ambush. I would certainly stay away from their bedding area at all costs.

Let their habits dictate what you would do.

[Pop-r]

8seconds, i'm curious what you would want to be above them in the wide open for? My interpretation of the "scenario" is they're feeding in the open above timberline. Anything above them & they are bound to see you especially if you were to call to them & they definitely aren't "coming" not seeing an elk up there. (i guess a decoy would be a possible option) My suggestion is cutting them off on trail's below them you've determined they use from previous sighting's. If you have several guy's yall could cover several avenue's.

[Gselkhunter]

This is a follow up to my previous post,with some new details I received from the guys in my group. Looking for some feedback. Here is the scenario: August 28-Sept 9 archery hunting an OTC unit in CO at 10,500 feet, tree line. Glassing at sunrise and sunsest bachelor group bulls (2-5 bulls) are visible feeding high, and then disappear into dark timber drainages to bed. You are camping 1000/1500 feet lower and walking up before light each morning, and the walk is steep and difficult once you get to the dar timber directly below the tree line. They are not vocal. How would you hunt them?

Either knowing or learning the area will give you an advantage of knowing where the elk hang out. Enter the timber quietly and listen for them moving. Use the wind to smell them. If you call or rub be prepared for elk to come in quiet and to circle you to gain wind. If you get a response move in quickly but quietly. Tip, elk will seek out benches in steep terrain to let wind keep them cool and help reduce insects.

[Indian Summer]

Bachelor groups seem to break up by the first of September from what I have seen.

Yep. They won't regroup until about mid to late November.

[Swede]

Indian Summer: I have observed this over many years not. I still don't get it. It seems Da Boyz get along great all year. They talk about the hot cars they drove once, and the gurls they dated back in the days. Then all of a sudden they are at each other's throats and can't stand one another. Fights break out and most head out for new digs. Their seems to be plenty of females to go around, but a few have to be total controllers. Just when it seems things can't get any worse, they are buddies again. Like I said; I don't get it.

[Lefty]

I use to play tag with some big bucks in northern Utah late August. they would hang out in the open for a couple hours after sunrise.

Those big bucks While they didn't feed the same place on the ridge every day or enter the bedding area the same place there was one scrubby alpine fir about 6 feet tall in this funky low spot they walked by the majority of days.

Ooopss I finished below

[Lefty]

I would camp at the same elevation
If they are consistent at anyplace walking back down to bed open as could be that's whee I would be waiting
Play the terrain, some rocks, a dip, a bit of brush