Pre, RUT, Post??

[HuskyMusky]

What's your preference for when to hunt elk if you could only pick 1 time period?

I feel like most think the rut is the end all be all, and sure you'll hear and see more bulls, but does that actually translate into killing more elk/being more successful?

I'm debating a pre rut archery elk hunt, vs rut archery...?

Do you think calling works better pre rut?

any tips/tricks changes you do when hunting pre-rut elk vs in the rut?

this is only for an archery hunt in my case....

 

[tdub24]

I love the rut hunt for all the screaming, hooting, and hollering but I do feel that it is a more difficult hunt if you are trying to get that herd bull. I have not hunted pre-rut, but have seen many a folk kill the herd bull before he has a herd. Those bulls are more willing to come into calls looking for a herd, most of the time silently. So, if the season you are looking at starts or ends during the first couple weeks of September I think it would be a great hunt with a good chance at a great bull.

 

[Kodiak]

I am a fan of pre rut when it come to killing bulls with a bow. It seems that you can get more bulls to be curious about your calling and to come in. They may come in quietly but I have had more close calls with bulls in the first 10 days of September than the middle 10. Weather can really screw up a pre rut hunt though if it is hot though.

The middle 10 days of September you will likely hear more action but it can be tricky to get in on herds.

It is all weather dependent though. I have gotten into screaming matches with bulls on august 21. My favorite elk hunt was when Wyoming had several seasons open august 15. The bulls were easy to find and were more curious about calls than really interested in rut activity. It made for awesome spot and stalk hunting that you could use a call on if the opportunity presented itself. That season went away in 2018.