Best part of September to hung (2016 specifically)

Shortbow

New Member
Jan 25, 2016
12
0
Central nebraska
OK I know this is probably a regular topic but wanted to bring it up regarding this year in particular.
The full moon is set to be Friday September 16th. Giving you a new moon at the beginning of the month and leading into a new moon at the end of the month.
I'm looking to plan my trip to Wyoming for archery elk, hopefully a bull tag, which week would you pick and why?
And due to work constrains I'll have a 9 day window 2 for travel and 7 to hunt if that changes anything.
Thanks.
 

cmbbulldog

Active Member
Jul 18, 2011
264
21
I have always thought the peak of the rut was around the 22nd. So I would plan to be there then. If you are a believer in the full moon, then go the last 9 days of September. But really, anytime those last 2 weeks should be good.
 

HeartElk1

Active Member
Mar 30, 2011
193
0
Most of us on this forum are hung all the time -- especially during the rut. :) Sorry just couldn't resist.
 

mntnguide

Very Active Member
I am one of the people who doesnt really care what the moon says...Elk eat, sleep, rut, water etc..no matter what the moon does. Will it keep them up feeding longer during the night? probably, but they usually are up most the night anyway during the rut. . I wouldnt pay as much attention to the moon as the actual season. . You are going to see more rutting action usually toward the end of september, but that being said, its harder to pull mature bulls away from a herd during that time as well. Its a good time to kill younger bulls that will come into cow calls cause the bigger bulls have the harems. . I like the 2-3rd weeks of september where i hunt in WY, because it gives me a good opportunity to hunt the bigger bulls before they have 40 sets of eyes around them, but also allows me to see good rut action. . Every year and every area can be different on a yearly basis...I have seen the rut be in full force by the 10th of September, then the next year it doesnt get going till closer to the end of september. . Where i hunt in Idaho, I barely care to hunt until the last week of september due to how the bulls act in there. . Choose a week..and go have a good hunt!
 

Slugz

Veteran member
Oct 12, 2014
3,664
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Casper, Wyoming
So I may be the odd ball here but I prefer the opener here in CO usually Aug 25-27th time frame. Seems to me the bulls are more in the searching phase still, come to a cow call easier, not bumped by anyone yet and can be patterned. I usually hunt the opener till the monday before muzzleloader then go back in a day or two before muzzleloader for another week.
 

Shortbow

New Member
Jan 25, 2016
12
0
Central nebraska
Thanks for the responses guys and keep them coming if you have other ideas. My original plan was to hunt the 10-16th with the 9th and 17th as travel days. I figured I could avoid any craziness of the labor day weekend but still hit a good time to be in the woods. Might be early for peak rut but should hit the searching and prephase of things if not the start of hard action. Just wondered if I should concern myself with the moon as I've read varying accounts of its effects. I'm guessing weather will play a bigger role!

Only about 10 more days to see my draw status! Excited as always
 

Slugz

Veteran member
Oct 12, 2014
3,664
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Casper, Wyoming
Thanks for the responses guys and keep them coming if you have other ideas. My original plan was to hunt the 10-16th with the 9th and 17th as travel days. I figured I could avoid any craziness of the labor day weekend but still hit a good time to be in the woods. Might be early for peak rut but should hit the searching and prephase of things if not the start of hard action. Just wondered if I should concern myself with the moon as I've read varying accounts of its effects. I'm guessing weather will play a bigger role!

Only about 10 more days to see my draw status! Excited as always
I'm in MTNguides camp WRT the moon. I don't care. They are still eating, sleeping somewhere.......IMO you tend to hear a lot of people discussing the moon and its implications due to not being able to glass them in the wide open feeding late. I see a lot of old timers hunting with a short stocked/barrel 45/70 in the dark stuff, every year, regardless of weather or moon.......and they are back at camp with quarters hanging by the end of day 2. Best thing I did was hunt with those guys for a few years, completely changed my way of thinking as a human and more like an elk. Big animal, big stomach = it has to feed and drink......in between it doesn't want to get bumped or seen.
 

NDHunter

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2011
1,166
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North Dakota
One thing to consider is that lots of other guys might be thinking the same thing as you and that the best time will be later September. The woods might be more full than normal with hunters... Not sure, but it's something to think about.

I've got my name in the hat as well in WY and have a good chance of drawing. My buddy and I are thinking about going the first week if we draw.
 

Slugz

Veteran member
Oct 12, 2014
3,664
2,341
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Casper, Wyoming
One thing to consider is that lots of other guys might be thinking the same thing as you and that the best time will be later September. The woods might be more full than normal with hunters... Not sure, but it's something to think about.

I've got my name in the hat as well in WY and have a good chance of drawing. My buddy and I are thinking about going the first week if we draw.
Shhhhhhhhh