Early Tactics, Talking August...
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: 'Ike'
19-Jul-14
Not late August, but mid the 16th for a opener...Utah! :-)
Spot and stalk, water...Are they still in any type patterns? Thinking they'll most likely be hanging out in bachelor groups with cows/calf's still off on their own...
From: LUNG$HOT
19-Jul-14
Very hot, dry year in Utah so far. Therefore dont expect any kind of rut behavior to be happening at all in mid August. Best bet will be to scout as much as possible and once you have located a healthy prospect spend the time observing his routine and try to set yourself up for success. Spot and stalk is a great option for this kind of early hunt as well as sitting water, especially with how dry it's been there (IMO). Good luck!
From: Bigdan
19-Jul-14
Water
From: Charlie Rehor
19-Jul-14
Pattern and ambush!
From: Ace of Spades
19-Jul-14
Water, maybe wallows also
From: Mule Power
19-Jul-14
Hunt them like treestand whitetails using Dan and Charlie's suggestions. Over water or on patterned travel routes.
From: Willieboat
19-Jul-14
Water
From: 9er
19-Jul-14
Be ready for the curious bulls to come in silent to some soft cow calls.
From: Bigdan
19-Jul-14
When I had my tag in The Southwest Desert in 2009. I got there the day before the season opened. I started by looking for water. Put a camera on every one I found. Got ten pictures of horses to every elk. But the elk were coming in at different times from 8am to 12pm and from midnight till dawn. I did not here a peep out of any elk till sept 1st. Then I heard bugles every day after that.
From: 'Ike' (Phone)
19-Jul-14
Perfect, that's what I'm hoping for....Thanks!
From: Bowboy
19-Jul-14
When I lived in Utah i always hunted intersecting trails on benches and saddles. Also if you can find a seep take a shovel and dig it out makes for a great waterhole.
From: BULELK1
19-Jul-14
Are you gonna be here August 16th??
Plus you are Here now scouting correct--July 18th thru---
I am down here in Loa at my buddy Steve's house--- and haven't seen nor heard of ya being down here George?
Good luck, Robb
From: 'Ike'
19-Jul-14
I'll be there the 15th actually...After talking to several other people, why go now, when it'll all have changed in a month...Scout/hunt, then go back at the first of Sept...
From: BULELK1
20-Jul-14
HaHa--man o man...thanks for the heads up.
Good luck, Robb
From: Ermine
20-Jul-14
Pattern and ambush. Stalk while feeding or bedded.
From: trophyhilll
21-Jul-14
First estrus cycle is around the 3rd week of August. Bulls are callable and killable at this time.