I recall reading an article or two where the author believed that the large increase in archery hunters interacting with elk during the rut was causing bulls to adapt or "learn" to be very wary of responding to or coming in to elk calls.
I have noticed this myself in areas that I hunt. Over the years a few drainages that I hunt have seen a significant increase in archery hunters. Elk numbers in these areas appear to be similar, but the elk often respond to calling by fleeing the area, and when they do come in, it is very cautiously and silent. Some of these areas have wolves, and some don't.
The Missouri Breaks is a good example of an area where a large number of hunters has, IMO, caused a significant change in elk rutting behavior. From my observations in that area, the bulls bugle way less than in less pressured areas and very rarely respond positively to calling. There are no, or at least an insignificant amount of wolves in the breaks. I would guess that this is more of a learned behavior than anything genetic.
I also recall an article, I believe was written by Chuck Adams in Bugle Magazine, about how he thinks that bulls and bucks with a diminished sex drive have a better chance of growing record book sized racks. From what I remember his premise was that if, for whatever reason (hormone issues, lack of testosterone, non functioning reproductive system ect), a male does not participate in the rut, that animal will expend much less energy and enter the winter stronger and healthier. Not participating in the rut also results in, much less exposure to injury or death by the hands of other males, hunters and predators. These animals never feel the need to leave their "safe" area during hunting season and thus many are never even seen by a hunter and die of natural causes. Doesn't really pertain to your question, but I thought it an interesting concept.
I have noticed this myself in areas that I hunt. Over the years a few drainages that I hunt have seen a significant increase in archery hunters. Elk numbers in these areas appear to be similar, but the elk often respond to calling by fleeing the area, and when they do come in, it is very cautiously and silent. Some of these areas have wolves, and some don't.
The Missouri Breaks is a good example of an area where a large number of hunters has, IMO, caused a significant change in elk rutting behavior. From my observations in that area, the bulls bugle way less than in less pressured areas and very rarely respond positively to calling. There are no, or at least an insignificant amount of wolves in the breaks. I would guess that this is more of a learned behavior than anything genetic.
I also recall an article, I believe was written by Chuck Adams in Bugle Magazine, about how he thinks that bulls and bucks with a diminished sex drive have a better chance of growing record book sized racks. From what I remember his premise was that if, for whatever reason (hormone issues, lack of testosterone, non functioning reproductive system ect), a male does not participate in the rut, that animal will expend much less energy and enter the winter stronger and healthier. Not participating in the rut also results in, much less exposure to injury or death by the hands of other males, hunters and predators. These animals never feel the need to leave their "safe" area during hunting season and thus many are never even seen by a hunter and die of natural causes. Doesn't really pertain to your question, but I thought it an interesting concept.
