Archery Elk Strategy Mid-to-Late October?

[Boundless_84]

So I've been hunting an area with a decent size herd of elk, maybe 30-40 animals. I was there again yesterday and found them in the same general area as they've been the last several times. This is public land, mixed grassy hillsides and timber. Within the herd there are 4 or 5 spike bulls, one 1-2 younger but legal bulls, and I saw at least 1 bull that looked like a good 6x6 - and I could hear other bugles but wasn't able to set eyes on the bull.

I've tried various calling strategies, from mild cow calling, to estrus calls, to more aggressive challenge bugles earlier in October - and I haven't been able to pull any of the bulls away from the herd.

On Thanksgiving Day last year I was in a different area but not too far away, and in one day I had 3 call ins - not herd bulls but one was a really nice 5x5 satellite bull.

I'm struggling to make a game plan for how to target any of the legal bulls during archery season. Yesterday I tried setting up a decoy, and I think it was visible to some of the bulls, but they seemed uninterested. I know it's that time of year where the rut is just about over, but this has been a perplexing situation. Almost every time I've been hunting the area I hear bugles and see elk, but wow has it ever been difficult to get the bulls to play along. Quite a difference from previous seasons.

So...any suggestions for a strategy on how to hunt these elk more effectively?

[35 whelen]

I would try to set up in between there food and bedding area ,

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by 35 whelen

I would try to set up in between there food and bedding area ,

I know of one that fell to the ambush strategy, gotta have some luck and hope they cooperate.

Grizz

[calgarychef]

Elk are herd animals, I’ve hunted the 212 shotgun season a lot and on Suffield.


The “run like hell and shoot fast” method works a charm.

[Boundless_84]

I might try the ambush strategy, if the wind cooperates.

[finner-duramax]

Get the wind in your favour and head straight for them, don’t make any noise.
If they’re making noise, go in quiet.

[calgarychef]

Originally Posted by calgarychef

Elk are herd animals, I’ve hunted the 212 shotgun season a lot and on Suffield.


The “run like hell and shoot fast” method works a charm.

I must have typed this late at night... archery is different-no run and gun.
I got lucky on a cow this year, I was skulking through the woods and saw her then slid an arrow into the right spot. You might try finding where they’re going into the timber to bed and poke around there.