They were drinking from puddles last weekend. I bet you already know that.
Where were you guys seeing elk in 7W? We hunted mulies last weekend in 7W. The deer were up high but, the hunters were mostly roadbound. We saw a few elk but not as much as other years any reports will be appreciated.
Saw 6 bulls on opening morning, at least two nice 6x6. I was in elk all morning. They were still bugling (Oct 28th) that morning, but since then have been silent. That was in the hills just west of Cowboy Tank. I had glassed up a nice bull the week before the opener in the same area. Saw elk in and around Buck Mountain on the 30th. I only laid eyes on cows, don't know if they had a bull with them.
Also, they rutted hard on the North side of Red Mountain. I hiked through there two different times looking for deer. Trees are shredded everywhere, lots of big bull sign. I didn't see any bodies, though, don't know if they've moved on. There isn't any water in that immediate area, so probably wouldn't be worth pursuing unless we get some rain/snow.
I haven't laid eyes on a buck yet. Still looking, seeing does in the pines but that's it. Most of the areas with junipers where I normally scout bigger bucks didn't get any water. Any ideas?