Skip to main content

Disappearing Act: How To Hunt Post Rut Bulls

When post-rut bulls pull a Houdini, do you hunt the herds or chase the loners?

Disappearing Act: How To Hunt Post Rut Bulls
(Photo courtesy of Tony Bynum)

Elk hunts oftentimes hit roadblocks in the opening hours or days of the kickoff. Mine was no exception, as I stared across a series of rugged canyons that paralleled a massive mesa where herds of elk consistently fed. Unfortunately, hunting pressure persuaded the mesa herd to move south, and judging by the throngs of ATVs I spied throughout opening day, a hot pursuit of this herd was in play. I spent another day hunting the adjacent canyon country, but a lack of tracks in the melting, muddy snow told a gloomy story of disappearing, Houdini elk.

As the sun set that evening, I spied a lone bull on the edge of a small park I typically ignored due to its proximity to a busy two-track. Despite the easy access to me and others, I dropped a marker on my HuntStand app with a predawn arrival goal.

The next morning, I arrived before most were making camp coffee and slipped to the edge of the opening. Predawn moonlight revealed a vast void of elk, and as shooting light arrived, I expanded my search to hidden portions of the broad park, where I found random, fresh elk tracks heading into deep, abrupt chasms I felt were too steep for elk. Apparently, I was wrong.

elk tracks in the snow
Tracks, mostly left at night, led me to my latest Houdini bull living with a few other bachelors. (Photo submitted by the author)

Despite the obvious nocturnal evidence, I knew the few and scattered tracks screamed of a bachelor pad. Cows would be herded up and not spread out like the tracks of these drifter elk revealed.

Why was this bachelor group of bulls so far removed from the herd dynamics on the mesa only a few miles away? I wondered. That is when the lightbulb lit in my Wyoming-simple mind: These bulls had left the main herd in post-rut preparedness for the coming winter. Although the mesa herds did hold a handful of respectable bulls, most of the bulls in the herd were satellites, aspiring to be herd leaders someday.

The tracks I’d just stumbled upon were left by bulls tired of the opposite. They escaped to a sanctuary interspersed with sparse grazing adjacent to hideouts highlighted by a vertical drop any ski-resort developer would grin at. The break between snowstorms was giving the bulls plenty of reason to graze under the cover of darkness, but that would all change if another pummeling of winter hit the mountain.

HERD DYNAMICS

two bull elk in the snow
(Photo courtesy of Vic Schendel)

Elk gather in herds for several reasons, with the main objective being self-preservation from predation. According to theoretical research in my elk gospel, “North American Elk, Ecology and Management,” elk herd-up for the primary reason referred to as the “dilution effect.” In layman’s terms, a large herd makes it harder for a single animal to be preyed upon. The next reason is the “position effect.” This theory points out that herd animals immersed in the center of their group are the safest, as opposed to those on the edge. Bigger herds have more center. The “straggler effect” merely points out that the weaker have a higher chance of becoming predatory dinner. Stay healthy, and the herd system works well; become sick or injured, and well… The “many eyes effect” aids in predator detection, but sometimes too many eyes also creates laziness in large herds. Finally, a herd boasts the “confusion effect.” When predators attack, chaos erupts, and the weakest may slip away in the confusing flash of all escaping herd members.

Herds also favor recruitment as cows band together in the spring and summer to raise calves. After birth, calves survive based upon their instinct to hide. But once they join the herd, they have to become part of herd fluidity to survive. Luckily, more cows include most of the elements previously stated. Eyeballs increase awareness of predator detection and charging, or fleeing cows confuse predators, giving calves further assistance to reach adulthood.

big herd of elk
Herds can be tempting to hunt and are sometimes the best bet in low-success units. (Photo submitted by the author)

Bulls also rely on all the aforementioned effects, but they do so in smaller groups for most of the year outside of the fall breeding season. Although they could immerse with cows and calves during the warmer months, they segregate and rely on a “band of brothers” to survive. After the breeding season, bulls once again segregate from the cows. Some bulls appear to leave overnight once they believe all of the cows in their harem have been bred, while others, typically younger bulls, take over herds with a renewed zest in life.

A few adolescent bulls may stick with the large herd of cows and calves throughout the winter, but most bulls break off into small fraternities. Researchers hypothesize they do this to avoid easy detection in a herd of antlerless animals. Bulls carry their antlers nearly into spring, unlike moose and most male deer. Being recognized as a bull immediately targets them as a top candidate for predation, based upon their rundown state after the rut. Seclusion in steep, rough terrain with forage provides them with isolated shelter and a landscape strewn with hindrances to slow down any predatory attack.

I’ve noticed these disappearing acts over the years but was too slow to put all the pieces together. Much of the Houdini evidence I’ve witnessed occurred in Montana’s archery season, which extends into mid-October. There, it was not uncommon to stumble across a lone, mature bull as October sped by. Since this was a transitioning period, I occasionally still located massive bulls tending cows, but more often the herds were governed by younger bulls. I saw similar evidence during the October firearms hunts, with herds frenzied by the presence of a gaggle of young bulls. Of course, the seasoned bulls living there were already focused on rut rehab.

WHEN IT MAKES SENSE TO HUNT HERDS

elk harvest in the snow
(Photo submitted by the author)

The thought of putting yourself up against the savviness of a veteran bull sounds romantic. You, alone in the mountains, searching for a band of antlered members of an elite society. Then, you come back to reality.

Recommended


First, you need to research your hunting unit and analyze the data. Many states offer information on herd density and bull-to-cow ratios per unit, and some include the average age of the bulls. Scrutinize this information before attempting to write an elk romance novel. Herd density only matters given the size of the unit. A few hundred animals scattered over 20 square miles means you might just want to hunt for any legal elk. On the other hand, 15,000 elk living in a more condensed unit increases your odds of multiple elk meetings.

The area should also support a high bull-to-cow ratio. What is a good number? That answer varies and teams with density, but if you hunt a well-populated area with 25 bulls per 100 cows or better, that gives you good odds of finding more bulls — especially those that separate from the herd after breeding. If the unit does not feature a high bull-to-cow ratio, then you might want to seek out the herds and consider the consolation prize of the first legal bull that steps into your sights.

Studying the odds of success together with the rest of the data disseminated by state wildlife agencies should bring you back to Earth. Like the age structure in whitetail herds, elk break down in a similar fashion. Think of it in a pyramid formation. At the very tip, you have a small group of bull elk making it to 7 to 8 years of age or maturity. Most of the male makeup in the larger bottom of the pyramid consists of younger animals — often referred to as raghorns. Those, combined with a group of younger six-points, create the post-rut excitement in many herds amplified to “Level 11” — to quote the great movie, “This Is Spinal Tap.”

late season terrain
Post-rut bulls seek out rugged terrain to spend the winter. This gives them security from predators that may target them in their rundown state. (Photo submitted by the author)

Lastly, you need to be honest with yourself. Can you physically get to where a band of older bulls may seek refuge? Do not overestimate your abilities, as most elk “lost boys” do not require acres and acres of grazing like an entire herd demands. And, as previously noted, they automatically head to rugged country to aid in avoiding predators. Some of the elk areas I hunt resemble sheep country more than elk country. As a matter of course, I watch bulls navigate cliff edges, ascend straight-up grades, and jog across scree inclines with ease.

You will need to get into these areas daily, hike back out, and be prepared for the real test to come. If you succeed, you need to bring that bull back out—likely piece by piece on your back.

A deboned bull could exceed 250 pounds of meat requiring transportation. With antlers and a skull, your tally could easily surpass 300 pounds, and that doesn’t include a heavy, wet cape. Think about those numbers as you attempt to get the most from your gym membership.

WHEN TO ABANDON HERDS FOR BACHELOR PADS

There are times when going against the sure bet of hunting herds and looking for an albino reindeer in the Arctic Circle makes some sense. An obvious reason is if you drew an incredibly difficult tag in a premier unit. In some states, I have nearly 20 preference points stashed. You can bet I will not be targeting a 2½-year-old raghorn on opening day with that investment. Odds are, the harder a unit is to draw, the better the hunting for mature animals.

Tied to this trophy tag could be your veteran status. Maybe you have a shed full of garden-variety elk racks. Nobody says you cannot raise the bar and look for a gagger. If you have the time and inclination, hunt for a rogue bull first...and fill the freezer with a cow later. I personally use that plan on many elk hunts in average units.

A second reason you may consider leaving herds behind for the challenge of an antlered “boy band” is to get away from the crowds. The excitement of migrating herds or harems coming together attracts attention. Many of Colorado’s popular units attract huge masses of hunters due to the congregation of elk on mesas, in basins, and along any mountain’s front range. Camps line the roads, and stoplights would be practical to manage the ATV/UTV traffic congestion.

One area I hunt sporadically, depending on draw success, has a busy trail smack through the middle of the unit. Through intense scouting, I found one sheer portion of the unit that the road borders, but few plunge into because of the abyss. The road gives me quick access to the agonizing environment that holds a handful of mature bulls. To date, that area has given up three mature bulls to me.

Targeting rougher terrain, isolated bull habitat, and roadless areas gives you an escape from the motorized crowds. Simultaneously, it decreases your success as you are eliminating up to 75 percent or more of the herd as a hunting goal. Be ready for the trade-off. Again, in a premier unit, that diminished pool of bull candidates doesn’t mean as much as in an OTC unit in Colorado. Regardless, you do need to set your expectations accordingly to fewer sightings and the possibility of only having one opportunity to fill your tag.

Physical fitness is also important. Being in elk shape makes things much easier when it comes to accessing terrain a band of bulls might favor. Instead of ignoring country that has bull potential but is likely not a herd hangout, you can dive right into the mountain madness. Most elk country is unforgiving, so always be honest with yourself to avoid a spendy ride in a search-and-rescue helicopter. Visiting your intended hunting area, making a practice incursion or two, and working out regularly will quickly reveal if you should attempt an extreme hunt.

LET ME BE ME

For me, the switch to hunting a smaller target group of bulls had several persuasive angles. To begin with, many of my rifle hunts occur in mountainous country that often receives several feet of snow. Mesas and rolling terrain on the mountain traditionally capture more snow than steep canyon country with south-facing slopes. That extra snow cover in the mesas can limit access by ATV and foot.

Next, mesa country attracts massive herds gathering in eon-driven tradition. When the regular elk-hunting crowd discovers the herd manifestation, a free-for-all takes place. Focusing on adjacent country that sports enough topographical lines to make most think twice leaves me nearly void of all hunter competition. Finally, I have shot my fair share of elk, and have upped my antler standards as a result, whenever possible.

BACK TO THE HUNT

More fresh tracks crossed the near-vertical slopes as I continued hunting the new area I now knew held bulls. Unfortunately, no daytime sightings meant Dracula bulls for sure. Finally, a glimmer of hope shone on my HuntStand app. A forecast to just drop an inch or so of snow had been upgraded to a winter storm. It might just be the nudge the bulls needed to expose themselves in legal shooting light.

The evening before the storm was as disappointing as my first homecoming date, and I do not place all the blame on her. Even so, I set my alarm extra early, and the snowstorm did not disappoint as I maneuvered my ATV through the darkness, with its headlights lighting up snowflakes like the Millennium Falcon jumping to lightspeed.

Two miles of hiking under darkness put me at the edge of one of the parks at dawn, where I then put my SIG SAUER binos to work. The storm began to break as if on cue, and I immediately spotted elk.

Startled by my presence, the bulls began evacuating the park. Jogging bulls, along with my adrenaline, led to a quick miscalculation of distance as my shaky hands landed a rangefinder reading well beyond the best bull. Unbelievably, he went back to eating as I aimed.

My shot was true but high, as I quickly ascertained with the bull struggling back to his feet. I fell across a nearby boulder and steadied my Bergara for a follow-up shot that ended the hunt with a fine bachelor bull failing his final Houdini disappearing act.




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

1000 yard accuracy out of the box? No problem.
Gear

Trials and Triumphs - New Mexico Muleys Part 2

1000 yard accuracy out of the box? No problem.
Gear

Trials and Triumphs - New Mexico Muleys Part 1

1000 yard accuracy out of the box? No problem.
Gear

New Browning Firearms for 2025: Citori 825 Shotgun, X-Bolt 2 Rifle

1000 yard accuracy out of the box? No problem.
Gear

New MagView Mount from Warne

1000 yard accuracy out of the box? No problem.
Gear

New Rings and Accessories from Warne

1000 yard accuracy out of the box? No problem.
Gear

Steiner's New ePredator 8 Riflescope and LRF Binocular

1000 yard accuracy out of the box? No problem.
Gear

Wonky Whitetails, Wind, and Weatherby Rifles

1000 yard accuracy out of the box? No problem.
Hunting

Ireland's Whistling Stags

1000 yard accuracy out of the box? No problem.
Gear

Silencer Central's New Modular Titanium Suppressor

1000 yard accuracy out of the box? No problem.
Hunting

Endless Bugles

1000 yard accuracy out of the box? No problem.
Gear

Weatherby's New Model 307 Alpine CT

Petersen's Hunting Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save.

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Petersen's Hunting App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Petersen's Hunting stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Petersen's Hunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Petersen's Hunting stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use