No herds of cows?

[Tigger]

We are going back this year to our WY spot where I shot my 2015 bull. as I sit back and think about that hunt (archery, mid September) I realize that we never really saw cows herded up. Most of the elk we saw were loners (both cows and bulls). I guess we did jump about 5 cows that we think had a bull with them, but we saw cows all by themselves multiple times. The dates were roughly Sept 12-18. Last year in MT, Sept 14-21 we hardly saw any cows, but called in 6 bulls. This year, I think our dates will be Sept 15-22. Does not seeing bulls with cows seem odd or were they there and we just didn't find them? We covered a lot of territory and saw a fairly good number of elk both years.

[olympushunt]

In your opinion how heavy is the hunter pressure? I see a lot more dispersion in areas with higher hunting pressure.
If I am seeing herds of 50+ in a group this is an area that isn't seeing the animals pushed around much by hunters. That makes me a happy boy.
Just my guess.

[Swede]

On the public land where I hunt at that time of the season the herds are small and lone cows and bulls are common. At least they used to be. I too have wondered about this. My guess is that you just did not see much of the small herds of 5-6 elk. Oly may be onto something there. All I can say it that what you experienced is not an isolated case. I think it is common, but small herds are present too, at least in the area I hunt. What also surprises me is to see a 4X4 herd bull in these places. That makes me think the large bulls have been killed off.

[Tigger]

not a lot of pressure I don't think. we never saw another hunter in the field although the trailheads had a truck here or there. I think we outwalked the ones that were there. great question.

[olympushunt]

That's good Tigger. It may be there is a higher bull to cow ratio than normal and competition for cows is higher. That will break up larger groups of cows also. That isn't a bad problem to have and will lead to you have more receptive bulls showing to your calling. You called in 6 bulls and that's a very good sign you are in a good situation. Keep that area to yourself bud.

[Lefty]

That's good Tigger. It may be there is a higher bull to cow ratio than normal and competition for cows is higher. That will break up larger groups of cows also. That isn't a bad problem to have and will lead to you have more receptive bulls showing to your calling. You called in 6 bulls and that's a very good sign you are in a good situation. Keep that area to yourself bud.

Or it could be the not so prime area for elk. However hunting the fringes of quality. While not really Bergmann's rule, fewer hunters, fewer animals, less pressure seemed to equal more and better responding bulls

[jmez]

I think it varies year to year. The area we typically hunt in MT we have hunted all times through Sept-early Oct. Some years we see larger herds of cows with big mature bulls and then several smaller bunches with both herd type bulls and raghorns. Some years we see all small groups, 3-5 cows and one bull. This year we saw all small herds. The biggest bull we saw was with 2 cows the entire time we were there. The largest herd we saw contained about 20 cows and had 4 raghorns, one decent bull with a right side broke off at the skull and three spikes. We saw this herd multiple times and all of the bulls were mixed in amongst the cows. We also saw several small groups of cows with no bulls. This was the last full week of Sept and first few days of Oct.

I would add that I think the herd dynamics change from daylight to nightime hours.

[Charina]

My observations last year probably are not as applicable as I didn't get to hunt the area past the 9th of Sep, but I was surprised how many single cows I stalked into. I simply assumed it had to do with the nature of the habitat (mixed aspen and fir, feeding and bedding available everywhere in every direction). Or the water was laced with chemicals with antisocial side effects. Didn't give it much thought other than to tuck away a new understanding that cows will at times (at least in this place) hang out all alone.

But not all elk within the area were loners. Within one day I saw a three loners, two separate cow/calf combos, and then two small "herds" of 5-8 elk. It was a mix of experiences all within 1/2 mile.

[olympushunt]

I think it varies year to year.

I agree....it does vary year to year, season to season, week to week and even drainage to drainage. I think what Tigger was wondering was why is this occurring and most importantly how does this affect tactics. Every year bull to cow ratios flux (thus competition for cows), as well as hunting pressure and general predation. All those things can influence how big of groups we see. I'd like to hear what some of the other peeps have to say about what this means to them and what mode to go into. Good post TIgger!

[saddlesore]

I have not seen bigger herds of elk for several years now Usually small groups of 3-4.Maybe a cow with this years and last years calf or a similar family. Unless it is on private non huntable land.

This year in 2nd rifle season,CO, where I usually am able to fill a tag,I did not see one elk in 9 days

[saddlesore]

I have not seen bigger herds of elk for several years now Usually small groups of 3-4.Maybe a cow with this years and last years calf or a similar family. Unless it is on private non huntable land.

This year in 2nd rifle season,CO, where I usually am able to fill a tag,I did not see one elk in 9 days

[ElkNut1]

Bottom line, cows were there or around. In Bull to Cow ratios cows will triple bull populations in most hunted Draw & OTC units. It's not uncommon at all not to hear cows in a month of hunting Sept. Other years they are very vocal, all depends where & when you catch them. Too, as cows are bred in Sept bulls will shy away from them as they search for cows still coming into estrus. At times you will see these cows alone, not uncommon!

ElkNut1