So I was hoping for a little general elk hunting advice. I drew a good Oregon elk tag that goes from the 27th of August to September 25th. There are only about 50 big bull tags for the hunt but there are quite a few spike hunters. I can't hunt the whole season but I'm going for a week the second week of September. I have the option another weekend. My question is; Do I go opening weekend, the 27th of Aug, or labor day weekend, starting the 3rd of September? Either way I will go for three days. I'm leaning toward opening weekend but I'm concerned the elk will not be talking at all. I'm also concerned that Labor Day will have too many people between bull hunters, spike hunters, and people just tooling around. Any advice will be helpful.
Prime Elk Time
- Thread starter benjblt
- Start date
theleo91386
Member
- Apr 20, 2016
- 74
- 0
If you drew one of the big three you need to spend more than 3 days to do it justice. Hunting wise, labor day weekend will be busy because it's a holiday. Odds are elk won't be very chatty but if you have wallows that are active you'd be better of going that first or second week. If you're wanting the elk rutting and active I'd go the weekends of the 17th or 24th.
JimP
Administrator
The problem with the opening weekend and Labor day is that is when most of the hunters will be out and about. If a hunter takes the first week off of work he ends up being able to hunt 10 days through Labor Day.
When I was archery hunting here in Colorado I didn't get too excited until the last couple of weeks of the hunt. Most of the hunters were gone and I pretty much had the mountain to myself. So if I was in your situation I would concentrate on the last two weeks of the season.
When I was archery hunting here in Colorado I didn't get too excited until the last couple of weeks of the hunt. Most of the hunters were gone and I pretty much had the mountain to myself. So if I was in your situation I would concentrate on the last two weeks of the season.
Thanks for the advise. It is one of the big 3, Mt. Emily. I am going 9 days and then a long weekend. So about 12 days total. I'm also holding the last weekend as a reserve if I don't cash in.
theleo91386
Member
- Apr 20, 2016
- 74
- 0
It looks like it is a ways from where I would be hunting. Thanks for the heads up.
http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=ed0a7dad32fe4848b20c6f91c74c79ea
Slugz
Veteran member
More than a few ways to skin the cat/elk.......and I think knowing the area/animal movement dictates that. For example in my primary GMU (limited hunt) I like the opener as I'm able to pattern the elk and get ahead of them, no calling and all quiet hunting. But patternable IMO. Muzzleloader rolls in mid Sept, more vocalization and some hunter pressure. Late Sept ( 20th on) probably the most vocalization, peak estrus is the 22nd and the guys who don't have girls will be covering a lot of ground looking for em.
In summary: if I know the animals/GMU I'm in there the opener......if I don't I balance it towards the later half of the season just so I can hear more.
In summary: if I know the animals/GMU I'm in there the opener......if I don't I balance it towards the later half of the season just so I can hear more.
Thanks for the feedback. That makes sense. I don't have time to pattern the elk but may still employ the "silent" style if applicable. I'm going to hunt the Labor Day weekend instead of the weekend before. They will be talking a little more hopefully.
Since you have the second week of Sept. set aside, I'd lean towards labor day weekend, what you learn then may be more useful to you later in Sept, should you not punch the tag. Where I hunt in your unit, the south end, mid Sept has been very consistent relative to elk talking. I tend to prefer the pre to early rut, seems a few larger boys may not have herded up yet and are fairly responsive. Myself, I like your dates, but my experience there has been cow hunting, often around the rut.
Last I checked the fire it was along 84, closer to the east edge of the Rez, a ways from the NF, but that can change fast.
Last I checked the fire it was along 84, closer to the east edge of the Rez, a ways from the NF, but that can change fast.
Yeah, I was thinking the timing was good for pre-rut as well. I was hoping to give myself the best chance for a big boy but anything 320 or better would be good for me for my first bow elk.
Hope you do well. My brother has the same tag. Any elk with a bow is special. There are some very big bulls in there. Good luck!
I agree. I've yet to take an elk with a bow so I would be happy if I took any mature bull.
The elk rut is triggered by daylight, so says science. I believe what we often think is peak rut is based off of observations and noisy bugles. They can rut quietly and or at night. Then the lower the bull cow ratios, the more likely there are enough unbred cows to make the rut last longer and may make one think later.
My two cents anyway.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My two cents anyway.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
rackpack
New Member
I agree with JimP. If I had to choose a time it would almost always be the last couple of weeks during the season. Especially, if time in the field is limited this will be the best chance and they're certainly more vocal.
Slugz
Veteran member
2 sense that are correct! Daylight / length of day / length of night = peak estrus (defined as the peak of the most cows that are ready to breed or in heat) of the cows on the fall equinox ( believe 22 Sept this year)
I keep close track of that and more importantly when second estrus cows that come into heat.
http://www.elk-hunting-tips.net/elk-rut.html This is a good link from a proven expert on the subject. Jack Thomas.
ShepDog
Member
Do you think the moon phases have any effect on the rut. Looks like full moon prior to the 22nd. My question would be go early before full moon or wait until last week in September? Better chance at second estrous cycle? Ya, the bigger bulls probably are cowed up?
In your experiences, how much does moon phase effect the rut?
In your experiences, how much does moon phase effect the rut?
Not as much experience with elk, but whitetail I do. Every year people speculate on the moon phase, rut gonna be early or late. Every year it happens at the same time within a day or so. Sometimes the weather may push the most action to night time activity, but otherwise dates are pretty consistent.