Breeding/Rutting areas.

[ElkNut1]

I've seen this question commented on a time or two in the past so figured I'd post this thought up! Please feel to shed additional light on the subject or ask questions about it, there's many here who can help! Thanks!

ElkNut1



Breeding / Rutting Areas
Rutting grounds or breeding grounds can be anywhere! But, that anywhere place is a spot or area they will use year after year! It is no different than any good elky spot found near meadows, parks, basins, draws, etc. As a general rule the Cows run the show when these herds/or harems are established no matter how big or how small these groups are.
Elk can show at these areas as an established group with a bull intact or cows can show up alone. This doesn't mean a different stronger/bigger bull won't take over these herds from time to time. But they generally come as a group.
Many believe that these areas are where calves are dropped & so return to these same areas as adults & juveniles. This is certainly true in some respect for elk that live in a more controlled weather type environment. Meaning, snow depths does not interfere with them doing this on a yearly basis.
However there are many areas & States where this is not possible, calves are dropped in one area & breeding is done in an entirely different area. Elk will move up from winter range into their summer range as they follow snow-lines. Many will find they hunt breeding areas in which they hunt yearly & there is no way that these elk can be at those elevations during calving time in June or early July in many places because of possible heavy snowfall years. This forces the issue that these areas can be separate because of possible harsh winters hindering their destination!

[toasty tiger]

I actually found a report on calving research last week. If I can find it I will post the link. The general research if I remember correctly showed that the elk in the test group had calves in the exact same area from year to year and that there are parameters on where thy drop the calves - 200 yards from a water source etc. - It goes on to mention that the elk scrape the ground clean and that possibly they use the same spots each year. It doesnt cover breeding but it was an exceptionally informational piece. I believe it was on research done in the Gunnison National Forrest in Colorado.

[twinkieman]

Two seasons ago, a fellow hunter we had met came into camp and asked me if it would be possible for me to call a bull for him he had located earlier in the day. I went with him, we hiked up into the area he had worked the bull in the morning, and Scott showed me where he had called from, where the elk were, and what he had done. As he described his calling, it sounded to me like Threat Level 2. I asked him how he came up with his calling sequence, and he said someone had given him a book for elk hunting on a short trip back to home( he had killed a cougar the previous week that he took to a taxidermist), he said he carried in his pack, which he then pulled out, and Yes it was Elknut's playbook. A quick look at a topo map, and a north facing bench higher above us led us up the hill. As we went up we came across fresh rub trees, all about 6 inches in diameter, with rubs about 2 feet on the tree. As I looked around, I saw more trees with the same rub pattern and size of trees from seasons past. This bull clearly came to the same area each season. My question is, while this bull marked a territory that was his, where would I look for the breeding area, is it where the rubs are?
I did locate the bull, location bugles did not work, I waited 20 minutes and gave a loud series of lost cow calls and he responded in the next draw north of us. We worked our way into 100 yards, he kept bugling after that, Scott move up from me 60 yds, above me and the bull came in to 20yds from Scott, with one lone pine between Scott and the bull. As the bull finally turned to leave I gave a nervous grunt, and a pine bough saved his life.

[Trophyhill]

There are several things that could affect whether elk will rut in the same area in any given year from what I've read or witnessed. Several consecutive harsh winters with late snow melts can alter the migration back to previous years calving/rutting grounds. So much so that the herds will seek out new areas where the habitat has all the essentials for life. This happened In an area GS and I hunted a few years ago in a unit that used to hold a good population of elk. Will the population in this unit bounce back and repopulate? Time will tell I guess. This was east of the Gunnison Basin.

[BrentLaBere]

Bulls will come to where the cows are. That may be the same general location from year to year, which I believe is to be the highest open country that will allow for it. Food, water, and cover near by. Once that time period comes of late August and early September, they drop to lower and flatter elevations. Its a meet in the middle type situation. I have very little experience with this, but its what I have observed so far. What I cant seem to grasp is the bulls bachelor areas, or where they will break off and rub trees and wallow. I have found sign everywhere, but no elk there. I can leave for a day or two and come back to the same area, a new wallow will show up 15 yards across.
This isnt what I would call a breeding or rutting area. But, then again I am not sure what it is...

[ElkNut1]

Locate elk from Sept 12th & end of the month, those are the breeding areas where you are finding them! Take note of where & when you are finding them then return there at the aprox dates where originally found & you'll see elk will generally be back in those same areas year after year! Don't get there too late or too early or there's a good possibility they are not there yet or gone! Hunting pressure or predators can also move them prematurely.

ElkNut1