Don’t Ignore Late Season Elk Hunting Opportunities

Conversations around elk hunting tend to be dominated by the rut. And it’s for good reason. Rutting bulls are vocal and that can make for an exciting experience. But the rut is by no means the only golden opportunity to hunt elk. In fact, late season elk hunts often have higher success rates than the September seasons. Late season hunts are available in several states. And while they might come with potentially cold weather and snow, they also draw elk out of mountain habit and into winter range. There may be no better way to put elk meat in the freezer than on a late season hunt.

Cow Tags and Depredation Hunts

Later seasons are a great opportunity to put healthy meat in the freezer when elk are filtering out of the high country. In places where herds are over objective, the state may issue late season cow tags to reach management objectives. In many cases, permission to hunt private property is necessary. But a rancher protecting hard earned bales of hay may willingly grant permission to hunt.

Here in Colorado, depredation tags are issued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to help protect these agricultural lands and disperse elk back into wild country. Our late season hunts at Timber to Table Guide Service take advantage of this private land access for cow elk hunts. You can contact us to learn more about these late season opportunities when the herds are funneled into winter range.

Working Migratory Patterns

Elk herds in many areas stick to steep slopes and remote basins through much of the hunting season. But eventually, snow and weather will trigger migrations. It’s not uncommon for mature bulls to hold tight up high where they feel safe. But a large majority of the elk will seek lower elevations for better feed. This mass movement makes them more visible and opens opportunities for hunters willing to brave the snow and cold.

Unlike early season when elk disappear into timber just after first light, you may be able to locate them on sunny, south-facing slopes throughout the day. During this time of year, expect groups of cows and immature bulls to be migrating together. Meanwhile, mature bulls often break off alone or into small bachelor groups.

Bachelor Groups

Late season hunts mean the rut is long gone and most mature bulls may not be mixing with the cows. In many situations, mature bulls will break off from the rest of the herd and return to a solitary lifestyle where they are more difficult to access.

Even though late season bulls may be living in high, rough country, this is a great time of year to hunt them. Cold weather means they’ll spend less time in dense cover, and more time grazing on wind-blown ridgelines or south-facing slopes free of snow. So bundle up and prepare to glass when the weather turns cold.

Look to find these solitary bulls on steep, south-facing slopes where grass is still accessible, and where there’s cover nearby. Late season bulls may be alone, but it’s also common to see them in bachelor groups of three or four. Unless they’re bumped, late season bulls usually don’t travel very far, making this an excellent spot-and-stalk opportunity.

Dress for Success

Late season elk hunts require a quality layering system, including good boots. A long day spent glassing slopes while exposed to the wind and cold is actually not all bad when you have the proper gear. Stay dry and bring along a thermos of hot soup and some handwarmers to make the day pleasant.

In some areas, you can glass from the road before planning a hike but getting away from roads can make a big difference. For specific clothing ideas, see our previous article on recommended clothing for a Colorado elk hunt. For tips on choosing a pair of boots, see this previous blog post.

Late Season Hunts with Timber to Table Guide Service

To learn more about our guided, late season hunting opportunities, please visit TimberToTableGuideService.com. On our cow elk hunts, we will show you how to break down your animal, identify cuts and package your own meat. This is a great opportunity to experience a guided elk hunt and put some excellent wild meat on the table!

For details and specific availability, please contact us or call Adam directly at 208-691-3014.