The past two weeks the elk have been talking their heads off but since Saturday they have stopped talking. I haven't seen any of the big bulls for about a week. Some of the cows are still together but no bulls. I did call in a small bull yesterday but he walked in quietly and I couldn't get a shot. Are the cows in that area already bred or have the hunters presence pushed the big bulls to shut up and hide in the thick nasty stuff? F.Y.I I'm in the NW part of the state.
Elk being queit.
- Thread starter goatpoop
- Start date
Grizbacker
New Member
I noticed they were very quiet last weekend. Some noise before light but then nothing and lone bulls with no cows. At first I was thinking the rut was over, but after talking to others and the extremely hot weather we've been having I am leaning towards the rut not being in full swing yet. This is in southwestern montana.
Anyone else have updates from montana? What are you seeing? Is the rut winding down or just running late this year?
Anyone else have updates from montana? What are you seeing? Is the rut winding down or just running late this year?
Big Sky
Active Member
In central MT I think that the rut is still going it was just so dang hot out that there wasnt ant thing that was moving.
MT backcountry hunter
Active Member
I was out this last weekend backpack hunting and didnt hear a peep (SW part). I had 2 friends in South Central part and they ran into a couple of bulls bugling hard and actually harvested one. From the sounds of it from other guys this weekend was kinda off because of the weather, seems 50/50 if guys were hearing them or not, atleast thats what they are telling me.
RUTTIN
Veteran member
Here in Utah it has been the same. Our hunt was over on the 16th, but I have been going out and finding bulls for next year. As of Saturday everything had shut down in the areas I hunt, no bugling at all, even the early hours of morning and late at night after dark. The elk I have seen, you can call to them and they don't even pick up their heads, like the rut hasn't even started. Good luck to all of you who can still hunt.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
yeah slowed down in Western MT too. It always seems to about this time of the year. It usually picks up hot around Oct. 1st. I am heading out tomorrow, we will see what happens.
dewey
New Member
Hey Bitterroot are you chasing after that bull you had on video? If so or not good luck.
On a completely different topic I heard MSU looked pretty good beating up on Eastern Washington. I got to see NDSU beat the U of MN last Saturday at TCF bank stadium here in Minneapolis and boy did NDSU look good. They beat the Big Ten Gphers by 2 TD's.
Dewey
On a completely different topic I heard MSU looked pretty good beating up on Eastern Washington. I got to see NDSU beat the U of MN last Saturday at TCF bank stadium here in Minneapolis and boy did NDSU look good. They beat the Big Ten Gphers by 2 TD's.
Dewey
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
I have already been out looking for that big seven, but as expected, he moved out of his summer range to parts unknown. I will be looking for him and others this week.
I don't want to hijack the thread, but there are some great FCS teams out there this year. Maybe there will be a playoff rematch between the Bison and Cats this year!
I don't want to hijack the thread, but there are some great FCS teams out there this year. Maybe there will be a playoff rematch between the Bison and Cats this year!
Grizbacker
New Member
Do you guys think they will still be rutting on oct. 8th? Or will it be pretty much over by then?
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Big Sky
Active Member
Bitteroot.
If you cant find that big 7 hopefuly he has about 50 cows with him so next year there are a whole bunch of little 7's running around.
If you cant find that big 7 hopefuly he has about 50 cows with him so next year there are a whole bunch of little 7's running around.
homegrown
Member
this past saturday I took one of my nine year old sons with me , because of the heat I wasnt expecting much but was surprised that there were bulls bugling the whole day saturday and sunday eventhough it was mid 80's. To make a long story short we walked a total of about 7-8 miles sunday in some pretty rugged country but my boy ran out of steam before we could get on the elk. I was pretty proud of how well he did though and was one of the best hunts Ive had for a long time. this was southwestern MT.
MT backcountry hunter
Active Member
I was out this mornign before work and the bulls started to bugle at roughly 5:45 and they shut up before legal light hit. I think it is late enough in the year they have heard every bell and whistle under the sun and don't wanna "expose" themself in the daylight. But the day before a friend was in the same spot and he said they bugled till 10 o'clock. Who knows......it's elk hunting.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Just came out a day early. Very, very little activity until well after dark, and then only a few weak bugles. A couple of guys in our party had a close encounter with a big 6, though. They walked right into him. No shot.
Might just go antelope hunting.
Might just go antelope hunting.