random elk question

My question is after the rut do the elk hang around where they gather for the rut or do they amble back towards summer grounds or scatter or what. I know bulls like to head to out-of-the-way pockets but my 1st season tag is a cow tag. The reason I ask is the places I scouted all summer for deer had lots of elk but come muzzy season(I ate tag soup) the elk had cleared out to some out-of-the-way places for the rut. I know finding cows is supposed to be easy but I'd like some meat in the freezer and I may only have the 1st 2 days of the season to hunt. Thanks in advance fellas.
3,500
Loafer
I find they stay in the summer range until the snow drives them down.
15
sneekeepete
"Loafer" wrote:I find they stay in the summer range until the snow drives them down.
 +1
15
Tonoonyi
In Washington I have found that by the time the rut ends the herds of cows and calves have started the trek down out of the high country. End of rut hunting here would be best along the migration routes. :thumb
15
Default Avatar
The acorns should be ripening and you may want to check out any pockets of them you can find.
Mark
15
Default Avatar
The area I hunt has a few resident elk all summer. We have harvested a few nice bulls during the LE hunts in September. But the canyon really fills up with elk in October. By late October during the deer hunt, I frequently see 200-400 elk per day as large herds have moved into the area.

The area I hunt is a 7 mile hike/horseride in from where we park the truck. I really think weather and hunting pressure push the elk from being scattered all over the mountain to areas that are more remote and less accessable to hunters.

So to answer your question. I think elk will stay were they rutted if they are not distrubed. If they have hunting pressure, or if the weather changes drastically, Elk can easily move 20 miles in a day if they have reason. They will settle into canyons where they feel safe, have water, graze and cover. I've actually gone back in November for late hunts and to pull out our camp and found the elk still in the same area that they spent the summer, even with 2' of snow. They have just moved to the south facing slopes.

This is mid November. These 9 bull elk are in same canyon they summered in.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/Painted-Horse/Bullswejumped-1.jpg" alt="" />
15
Default Avatar
the only thing is that here in Colorado the areas that i hunt have not had good acorn production due to the very wet spring alot of the acorn, and service berry bushes have not produced. but they do stay up high til there is a really good snow on top then once it hits ive noticed that they go all the way down some places iv seen that elk will go down just til they are comfortable but these guys go all the way down. btw im in unit 35, 36, 44, 45, and 444
15