Im thinking of archery hunting from 9/5-9/14 this year, Im wondering on the bugling activity during the pre rut, calling success ect. What time of year do the bulls normally disperse? Ive seen bachelor herds into the second week of sept and Ive also called them in solo the second week, is there a rhyme or reason to bull dispersal? Looking at the calender, it looks like I might be a week early given my limited experience with rutting elk.
Wyoming Pre rut elk
- Thread starter Apparition
- Start date
Kodiak
Member
- Oct 27, 2014
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I hunted the Beartooths in Montana this year for the first three weeks of the MT archery season starting on 9/6. The first weekend they were not super vocal but, we were able to get a few bugles out of them. I noticed raking trees next to wallows with not much bugling to be productive early in the season. It seemed like the big bulls were split off with a few cows but not the big harems and the smaller bulls were still bunched together. We were even calling in groups of bulls during the third week of the season. This years was a little strange though with 6" of snow during the second week and temps in the high 70s during the third week. Good luck, you will have a blast.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
I hunted western Colorado Unit 61 last fall. We were scouting beginning the morning of September 8. Bulls were with the cows and calling. First hunt day was September 13 and we called in 3 bulls. That particular unit has a very high bull to cow ratio.
Hilltop
Veteran member
Weather will play some role for you. If it is hot and dry, you likely won't experience as much rutting activity. Catch a cold snap with precipitation and this time frame can feel like the peak of the rut. I like early September hunting for a lot of reasons. I actually like the first week of September over the second. Hunting pressure is typically low. During warm, dry weather the wallows can really produce great results. If you get the right weather, bulls can really turn on. During this gathering phase I have found heard bulls a bit easier to call in. Once they have a large harem they are a very difficult animal to call in or approach.