When would you say is the Shiras moose rut, and when do you think it typically peaks? If you've observed the moose rut, also include what state that was in.
When is the Shiras Moose Rut?
- Thread starter Umpqua Hunter
- Start date
Hunted them twice in WY. Late Sept and first few days of Oct. They were rutting both times and it appeared to be fairly hard. Units 20 and 26. No idea when it starts or how long it goes. But a cow call worked great to move bulls in thick cover so we could see them better.
CODAK
Active Member
We would see them all the time in Idaho while hunting elk. Palisades and Tex Creek units. Seemed to me their rut was the same as elk. When we were hunting elk we would see bulls by themselves and some with cows still so possibly post rut activity
bghunter
Active Member
I think it starts around mid of September and ends October 12-15. That was my experience in Montana in 2015.
Bonecollector
Veteran member
Everything I've read, it seems to run concurrently with the elk rut, but may last a few days longer.
My thought was always due to lower animal numbers and distance traveled looking for love.
My thought was always due to lower animal numbers and distance traveled looking for love.
Thanks a bunch guys. I was wondering if a moose hunt that began October 1 could still take advantage of the rut. Sounds like it just might! 
bghunter
Active Member
You should be fine, very fun hunt, it looks like bulls are pretty active at the end of the rut looking for unbred cows.
NDHunter
Veteran member
I remember reading an article by Dwight Schuh about moose hunting. I think he's had 2 or 3 tags. He said the best time to hunt them are the first 10 days of October. He said that's what he's observed from Idaho to British Columbia. Sounded like he's hunted them in September and generally struggled more. I don't know if you have the points to draw somewhere but if you do, it might be worthwhile to reach out to him and get some more details. I assume the article I read was in Bowhunter as I'm pretty sure that's the only magazine I get that he writes an article for.
Hilltop
Veteran member
I would agree with the above. Moose rut starts in September but the hunting tends to get better towards the end of the month into early October. My opinion is that cooler temperatures lead to more movement in open areas. Warm weather moose hunting is just plain difficult so the later you go the more sightings you will have typically. Most of my experiences with them have been in Wyoming.
Moose Rut Season - All-About-Moose.com
https://www.all-about-moose.com/moose-rut.htmlUnderstanding the Moose Rut
Once you understand the moose rut, you will have a much better chance of finding moose. During the moose-rutting season moose are found in different areas than other parts of the seasons.
What Season Is the Rut?
What Season Is the Rut?
Typically the peak of the rutting season for moose is the first two weeks of October. This is only an average though. The further north in the hemisphere you travel the earlier in the season the rut happens and the opposite is true for going south.
There are of course always exceptions to the rule, but for the most part early October will be the peak. I have hunted in early September and been able to call bull moose in using and estrous cow moose calls in an area that I know the peak rut is October. There will always be some cow moose that will start ovulating early and of course a bull moose that hears the yearning calls of a cow moose in estrous will investigate, and may even vocalize his approach.
Where do the Moose Go During the Rut?
I have been asked many times where do the moose go during the rut? Hunters have been out pre-rut scouting and located the moose. Once the season has arrived they return to where they found the moose and cannot find any! Why?
Before the bull moose go into rut, they are usually found in the higher elevation areas. They will seek out cooler and thicker areas of the forest, higher in elevation trying to escape insects and predators.
Cow moose and their calves on the other hand will stay in the lowlands near water. The cows seek out water for two main reasons... food and safety. Calves are vulnerable, especially to wolves and bears. A cow with calf will use the water as an escape when threatened by predators. Sure the insects will be more bother but the safety of water will outweigh this.
When the moose rut begins and likely for a few weeks before the beginning of the cow moose estrous the bulls will move down out of the higher elevations to seek out the cows. The bulls will stay in the lower and wetter areas within proximity of the cows with hope of getting the breeding done. As the rut winds down the bull moose will once again move back to the higher elevations.
You Know Where the Moose are during the Moose Rut... Now What?
Now that you understand where the moose are during the rut, all you need to do is locate them. This is the time when moose are their most vocal. Use your best moose calling techniques to locate and lure them in.
https://www.all-about-moose.com/moose-rut.htmlUnderstanding the Moose Rut
Once you understand the moose rut, you will have a much better chance of finding moose. During the moose-rutting season moose are found in different areas than other parts of the seasons.
What Season Is the Rut?
What Season Is the Rut?
Typically the peak of the rutting season for moose is the first two weeks of October. This is only an average though. The further north in the hemisphere you travel the earlier in the season the rut happens and the opposite is true for going south.
There are of course always exceptions to the rule, but for the most part early October will be the peak. I have hunted in early September and been able to call bull moose in using and estrous cow moose calls in an area that I know the peak rut is October. There will always be some cow moose that will start ovulating early and of course a bull moose that hears the yearning calls of a cow moose in estrous will investigate, and may even vocalize his approach.
Where do the Moose Go During the Rut?
I have been asked many times where do the moose go during the rut? Hunters have been out pre-rut scouting and located the moose. Once the season has arrived they return to where they found the moose and cannot find any! Why?
Before the bull moose go into rut, they are usually found in the higher elevation areas. They will seek out cooler and thicker areas of the forest, higher in elevation trying to escape insects and predators.
Cow moose and their calves on the other hand will stay in the lowlands near water. The cows seek out water for two main reasons... food and safety. Calves are vulnerable, especially to wolves and bears. A cow with calf will use the water as an escape when threatened by predators. Sure the insects will be more bother but the safety of water will outweigh this.
When the moose rut begins and likely for a few weeks before the beginning of the cow moose estrous the bulls will move down out of the higher elevations to seek out the cows. The bulls will stay in the lower and wetter areas within proximity of the cows with hope of getting the breeding done. As the rut winds down the bull moose will once again move back to the higher elevations.
You Know Where the Moose are during the Moose Rut... Now What?
Now that you understand where the moose are during the rut, all you need to do is locate them. This is the time when moose are their most vocal. Use your best moose calling techniques to locate and lure them in.
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
I'm no expert but have gotten the chance to hunt moose twice in Colorado. Once for a bull and once for a cow. I've always known the peak of the rut to be the first two weeks in October, at least in Colorado. Which coincides with the rifle season here.
BAKPAKR
Active Member
- May 10, 2018
- 193
- 121
I have seen/heard moose rutting pretty hard from the last week of September to mid-October in the north half of Idaho. When calling, I have had better luck using my voice and a pinched nose than I have had using commercial reed-type calls or homemade calls made from coffee cans and wet shoelaces. Good luck if you have a tag already or draw.