Prime Elk Time
- Thread starter benjblt
- Start date
ShepDog
Member
So would you worry about the moon phase or not? Understanding that most of the rut activity is during the night. This limits the elk activity during the day. This year seems to be a crappy moon phase comparative to the peak of the rut. My philosophy is " you don't get them if you don't go" however I will be going. Curious as to what experience says, late or early?????
I have killed archery bulls during both. 6th -25th
SW Montana, what do you think?????
I have killed archery bulls during both. 6th -25th
SW Montana, what do you think?????
Slugz
Veteran member
IMO.....and there will be varying disagreement on this philosophy.......peak estrus is always the 22/23rd every year since they started walking the earth. (known quantity)
Full moon = more activity at night = down the trail NLT 0300 to hear where they are and direction of movement (if making noise), same bedding areas are being used they just may be getting into them earlier after being up all night is all.
They still have to eat, drink and sleep ( know quantity) they still will be moving every 3-4 hours (known quantity) cows are in heat ( known quantity)
Now on "limiting elk activity during the day" . If the definition of screaming bulls = activity then sure, that's a safe bet.....that totally changes when the first cold snap / weather front comes in and they all get that sense of urgency back as winter is coming.
Total agreement x 2 with what Ivory tip said above also.
Lastly WRT when to hunt if you have to make a choice......I use this methodology regardless of moon. If I know the GMU/animal movements and have previously glassed them up to confirm. I hunt the opening weeks here in Colorado (pre rut) I feel they are predictable and patternable but mostly quiet. If I don't know the GMU and first time in there I hunt 13th till the end of the season Sept 25th.
Full moon = more activity at night = down the trail NLT 0300 to hear where they are and direction of movement (if making noise), same bedding areas are being used they just may be getting into them earlier after being up all night is all.
They still have to eat, drink and sleep ( know quantity) they still will be moving every 3-4 hours (known quantity) cows are in heat ( known quantity)
Now on "limiting elk activity during the day" . If the definition of screaming bulls = activity then sure, that's a safe bet.....that totally changes when the first cold snap / weather front comes in and they all get that sense of urgency back as winter is coming.
Total agreement x 2 with what Ivory tip said above also.
Lastly WRT when to hunt if you have to make a choice......I use this methodology regardless of moon. If I know the GMU/animal movements and have previously glassed them up to confirm. I hunt the opening weeks here in Colorado (pre rut) I feel they are predictable and patternable but mostly quiet. If I don't know the GMU and first time in there I hunt 13th till the end of the season Sept 25th.
Well.......maybe I'm echoing the others but if I were to draw an elite tag I would scout, scout, and scout. I'd have bulls picked out an patterned by opening day and then I would try to close the deal. If all went well it would end the first day. With an early start date you can sometimes get these bulls off by them selves. With only one set of eyes and ears this is when the are the most vulnerable! !!! Once season Gets rolling multiple factors begin to play against you. Pressure for one, more eyes and ears, they are very occupied with the task at hand. Granted you can call them in, but it's not a guarantee the bull you want will come in. If one is not picky then another very fun approach which I have been fortunate to experience is to go out aimlessly with no bull in sight and call in as many bulls as you can and kill the one that you like. At the end of the day its all about what you want out of your hunt!!! The most important thing is loosen up, relax, don't over think it, and enjoy it!! Treasure the experience, take it all in. Take as many photos as you can to help you relive you memories later!!! Good luck and shoot straight!!!
Good advise. I think I may be overthinking it some. I just got back from a 3-1/2 day scouting/hunting trip. They were talking some but not lots and from what I heard they were talking more pre-season and the first weekend. I'm still debating 3rd week vs 4th week but am currently set on the 3rd week (second week of September). I feel like it is a leap of faith based on the fact that they aren't talking much now. I really want to be there when they are talking a lot but I also want a chance at making a play on a big bull.
Slugz
Veteran member
More important IMO, than WHEN they are talking is WHAT they are saying.......2nd/3rd weeks of September the pecking order in the valley is already set and communication/talking takes on a whole new meaning when compared to pre rut.....just something to think about. Have fun and good luck on your hunt.....Eastfork gives some very sound advice....take it in
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