I believe a sat bull is one without cows who is out trying to swipe cows from a bull who already has them. It could even be a 400 inch bull who doesn't have cows who is afraid of the 300 inch bull

 

I would love to shoot a 350 satellite bull. To me a satellite bull is a lesser, non herd bull, that hangs on the outside of the group. He will swoop in a pick up cow before the big boy notices. These are also the guys who will come in quiet if you and the herd bull are sounding of to each other. But they taste just as good as any other elk. I highly recommend you shoot one any try it out for your self.

 

Non herd bull, usually smaller and or younger than herd bulls. No cows of their own and they sneak in when ole herd bull ain't looking....lol

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk

 

small bulls can be herd bulls. if you see a small bull with cows is he not the herd bull? it doesn't mean he will remain the herd bull or that the cows will let him breed them once the big bull comes in and whips his butt. then he becomes a satellite bull. chances are the small bulls are tolerated by the cows within the herd but according to the research that i have done, it is the cows that choose which bull it will breed with.

 

I like this.

 

Heck, all are right! (grin) Trophyhill pretty much covered all the bases though! All areas are different, some units just don't have tons of big bulls because of heavy hunting pressure therefore reducing bull to cow ratios, 5 points could easily be the herd bull quality in those depleted units. I've taken several 5-point bulls that had as many as 9 cows with them & others that had less, but they were the present herd bull running the show!

ElkNut1

 

I see that alot too; where a 4x bull has 5 or 6 cows with him. He is the guy because there is no one else around.

 

Agree with all. Additionally, these lonely bachelor bulls are really, the bread and butter of our fall hunt in the September elk woods. These guys tend to be very vocal and will answer location bugles from great distances (the stuff we dream about and anticipate all year long). They are also the rascals that force us to set up and wait for 10 minutes or more, after a location bugle, as they will come in silent, appearing out of seemingly nowhere when you decide it's time to move on. They are the "ridge runners" who travel up and down alpine finger ridges at daylight and during that evening witching hour right before and immediately after nightfall, throwing their shrill bugles into the draws on both sides. They make many of the lone elk tracks you see crossing alpine trails and skid roads during the rut as they travel from spot to spot, looking for available cows and/or a lesser bull to challenge for his cows. They are also the bulls that will bark down the back of your neck as you're working on a herd bull. Their resounding bugles in September stay in our minds and keep us anticipating that next hunt that seems so far away.

 

thats right!

 

A satellite bull is any bull reguardless of age or size that dogs the herd but does not control it. Plain and simple!

 

a satellite bull is any bull reguardless of age or size that dogs the herd but does not control it. Plain and simple!

exactly!

 

What's a satellite bull?

I tend not to think of any bull with a cow or cows to be a "herd" bull if I think he's gonna lose them to a more mature bull. A satellite might come in and steal a quickie, or be the only man in the bar early in the season, but I don't think they have as much influence on the cows behavior except as a "Plan B" for procreation. Typically the satellites are younger, boastful, and curious. Ideal targets for a bowhunter.

 

satellite bulls....

 

wow i wanna know where you're hunting :wink: those are some big satellite bulls!

 

Keep them coming. I have my own thoughts as well and will share them after some more input. I know most people have a opinion on the question...

 

I find it interesting you think satellite bulls are young. I have seen many big/older bulls that can't cut it anymore trailing herds hoping for scraps.

 

A satellite bull is a bull I dream about double lunging this September in Colorado hoping it is a legal 4 point!!!!!!!!

 

The mature bulls are wise to the game and can play it to our disadvantage, satelite or herd bulls alike. Don't forget the role of a matriarch cow. She has alot to do with what is considered a herd bull as well.

 

I agree with alot of post's. IMO a so called satellite bull could be many different things. It could be a young bull or a mature bull. ELKNUT hit it on the head, different areas will produce different class of bulls (size wise) but no matter where you are at you will always have young bulls and older class "mature" bulls. I have seen mature bulls called in just as fast as younger bulls. And younger bulls can be just as difficult as mature bulls to call as well. For me each one of these can be called a herd bull at any given time depending on the situation If one has a harem, it could be 1 or 100 cows. We use the term satellite bull pretty loosely and sometimes look at it in negative way with the assumption towards the size of a animal being small in stature. I have passed on some satellites and drooled over others, so I look at them as elk in general and classify them as young bulls, and mature bulls. All calling needs to be changed to fit the situation to be able to call any elk in. So a "satellite" bull can be any bull of any age.

 

You've got a lot of answers that are very true, but mostly satellite bulls are delicious. I like em on the BBQ and their curiosity seems to put them on my BBQ every year.

 

A satellite bull is the bull that you shoot on your way in to try and kill the herd bull.:wink:

 

From Wikipedia: A natural satellite or moon is a celestial body that orbits a planet or smaller body, which is called its primary.

I always think of the herd being the "planet", and the satellite bull orbiting around looking for some loose action

Another definition is "every bull I've ever arrowed"!

Best of Luck,
Jeff

 

Lol nice description

 

A bull that uses his antlers as a satalite to monitor our every move.:behindsof

 

the best eating bulls.............yummmmmmmmmmmmm!

 

i got to sample some of ColoradoHunters monster bull this past weekend. it changed my thoughts about how a tough ole bull might taste. it was actually very good eating.

 

well my 339" herd bull sucked..lol... but he looked good...

 

Shot a 330 bull last year and he was very good. My friend even commented on how tasty he was. He hung for 2 days before I got him to the butcher, then I think they let it hang for 4-5 days also. Don't know if that has anything to do with it? Was told it does.

 

nice. sounds like a very tender bull. aging can only help.

 

I have seen big bulls stay away from the cows. They let smaller bulls run and manage the cows and then when the big bull wants some ass they come in and do their business.

I consider a satilite bull the lesser bull who wants cows but can't because there is a dominate bull.

here is a bull I arrowed in 08. He was not the "herd" bull as guys would call it. He was all alone with no cows bugling back and forth with a bull that was with the cows. I never caught a glimpse of the "herd" bull that was with the cows. Not sure if he was the lesser bull or the big dominate bull on the mountain.

 

call that bull what you will but i'll kill him all day long JD. nice bull!