November Bulls???

glob3006 · 09-28-2003, 07:40 AM

I have a bull (elk) tag for the first week of Nov. here in Colorado.I have hunted bulls in the early seasons when they are still up high.I have jumped quite a few bulls while hunting down in the timber and am very accustom to hunting this way.
So my question is......are there any tactical changes I should make in the way that I hunt in the earlier seasons compared to the later seasons???

Thanks
GLOB!!!!!

Beans Morocco · 09-29-2003, 05:56 PM

By November, most elk in the high country are moving towards, or are beginning to enter their wintering areas. Find where the elk in your unit winter and check it. If its' accessible to you, hunt it. If they aren' t in there yet, find the corridors that they use to get there and park yourself in place where you can catch them coming through. Sometimes there are also " staging" areas where elk will hang en-route in large numbers.

glob3006 · 09-30-2003, 03:53 AM

Thanks,Beans
I was beginning to think that all of the elk hunters fly south for the winter.[8D]

Glob!

noway · 09-30-2003, 09:41 AM

glob,
It may be that not many people hunt elk in November.
I am not sure but believe most seasons are in Sept. bow and Oct. rifle.
As you are undoubtedly aware the elk in Sept. and the elk at the end of Oct. Nov. are going about very different activities and as a result they are very different animals.

The big bulls tend to get off by themselves in some hole where they can be left alone and try build up their fat stores for the winter. Especially in high pressure public hunting areas.

If you are lucky there will tracking snow and you can follow one into his lair or attemp to pattern him and find where he is moving out to feed at.

They generally hang out on North facing slopes about mid slope in thick timber during the day. If you enter these bedding areas make sure you get the wind right and go slow and be ready to shoot, when they jump to run they will be gone in about 2 seconds. Have your cow call ready, you may be able to stop them for a shot with a sharp loud cow call.
Make sure you have a heavy caliber with heavy bullets for this type of hunting.