When do idaho elk rut

I think we will still be OK during this week, as there are a lot of other factors that are going in our favor — lead-up to Fall Equinox, cooling weather typically , and aggressive bulls — especially in the mountain states Montana, Colorado, Idaho, etc.

By the next week though, the moon is going to be flexing its muscles, and possibly having a more negative effect on elk hunting. The Fall Equinox falls right in the middle of this week 19 th — 25 th , and if you remember how the Fall Equinox triggers the estrous for cow elk, one would assume this could be a good week.

And in some areas, it may very well be. A few years ago, I hunted elk with Randy Newberg in New Mexico during the last week of the season — a time when the big bulls of the Gila should have been bugling their heads off. In fact, we had a very hard time finding elk, especially vocal elk during daylight hours.

I feel that may be the case in as well. If I was hunting a desert state, I would be very careful about going during this 3 rd full week in September. By the next week, the moon starts to fade away, but so does elk season in many states. That last week 26 th — 30 th could be productive, and I think the elk will be quite vocal. However, the bulls will have their harems, the cows should be in estrous, and relying on calls to coax a herd bull away from his cows could prove to be challenging.

However, in a generalized nutshell, I feel the first half of the month will likely be more conducive to calling in and killing bull elk than the second half of the month. Either of those first 2 full weeks 5 th — 11 th or 12 th — 18 th should be equally productive.

And while the rest of the season has the approaching peak rut in its favor, the intensity of the moon could definitely affect the behavior of the elk in a negative way for elk hunting. For , October looks very similar to September from a moon phase perspective.

In states where the rifle seasons open on the 10 th or 15 th , those should be really good days. However, as Randy Newberg says, there are actually 2 different parts to a rifle season — opening day, and all the other days.

The first half of the month 1 st — 15 th will be good from the moon phase standpoint. There is no more truly fascinating time for a hunter than being in the middle of a crazy, fighting, rowdy, noisy circus of elk acting plumb stupid. On a very warm morning in I shot a nice six point bull at A. Despite the heat, elk were still going nuts all around me and even walked up and looked at me while I was field dressing my kill over an hour later.

In , after a quiet, discouraging morning on the public land side of the fence, some hunters from the private land side pushed a herd of around elk over to me. Their elk rut activity was undaunted. They all walked single file from my right to my left as they fought, bugled, screamed and raked trees in transit just out of bow range of me.

It was like watching a surreal movie. The whole scenario took a half hour to play itself out. The point is, remember the rules of thumb, but be prepared to throw the "rules" out and just go with the flow. Please subscribe to or our Quick Elk Hunting Tips and Updates newsletter or to an RSS feed see left column to be alerted whenever new information is added to the site.

To Elk Calling page, from Elk Rut page. Hector, TX: "Wow, that was fast! It's very pleasant to see your sincere spirit of service and customer care You are doing way more than selling products to customers like me Tim, AZ: "This morning, she was on the hook.

I definitely owe some of my success to your website and your products. Thanks again! Jesse, NM: "I just wanted to thank you for taking the time and energy in creating such an amazing and helpful website. As a new hunter, this provides an excellent guide to approaching elk hunting. I just wanted to thank you for sharing such a wealth of knowledge, and giving us new hunters a fighting chance of filling a tag.

You guys are amazing!!! I read and profit more than I can tell you. Thomas OR , "Reading your tips has helped me to formulate a hopefully positive and safe game plan for the elk season! Travis WI , "I just wanted to say thank you for your site, and helpful emails! I got several useful tips from you, and your site. Tristan, Superior, CO: "I feel like I could go on forever here, I just get so excited talking about elk and I don't know many other hunters… Thanks again for the gear, and the website.

I have found it to be very useful and enlightening. Jordan, MT: " Your website is a great help! I wanted to personally thank you for the great tips on hunting elk. I am extremely excited for this elk rifle season as its my first. I wish you luck during your hunts and God bless! Free U. Share your elk hunting pictures and stories on our Facebook Page! Go to Forums. How often should I use my cow call? He was dead when he hit the ground. Will this work to shoot an elk? Unique Elk Talk by Idaho Steve Hailey, Id , In the middle of the night, a herd of elk came traveling through the drainage and right past my tent Smelly Elk Areas?

I have heard two somewhat contradictory stories I'd love to hear your thoughts on strategic set-ups when solo hunting and calling. Non- Lead Bullets for Elk? According to this story Rage Broadheads by Chris, I was sold Finally filled the freezer I pulled each of the elk into shade then started gutting I am posting this to see if anyone would know of any elk hunts free to disabled vets First Elk with a Bow, by Ryan H.

Colorado , Finally after many years of hunting with a bow "I got er did"! First Elk! Any success in Unit 14? Share Elk Hunting Secrets. Bugle in Herd bulls, by Swiltbank Az The key to calling in a herd bull is to get into his bedding grounds and threaten his herd.

Start off sounding like…. Best Big Game Rifle? I wait till late afternoon and will position myself on a good vantage looking and listening. Once the evening arrives and I believe elk are on their feet, the same M. Cover country glassing every good feature. Push hard till last light, then use the night to walk out or back to camp. Use this long dark walk to listen for bulls for the morning hunt.

An elk party is finding a drainage or basin where good numbers of elk are hanging out, and rutting. Where you find one elk you almost always find more, and where you find one herd of elk you almost always find more. It can vary from a few different bulls to 15 different bulls along with good cow numbers. In these rut fests there is almost always competition for cows, and great rutting action.

Finding the party is your highest odds of punching your tag. To locate a party, cover country the same, just pay attention when you start seeing elk. A lot of times elk will lead you to other elk. Now I am not hunting in the dark, I am just listening. You can drive and get out at different points, hike a small distance, or even bike closed roads. The party will have multiple bulls sounding off, and if you are in a good position you will hear it.

This will key me in on where I need to be in the morning, and has put me in the mix many times. A huge part of any sport is mental, same applies for archery hunting elk. You have to believe in yourself, and the spots you are hunting. When you are hunting at the right times believe you are going to see an elk every time you pull up your binos. If your spot is not panning out, move on to your back up plan, and keep trying. Remember it only takes one opportunity to close on a big bull.

Elk can be spread out throughout big country, give yourself enough time to locate one. Be flexible once in country to changing your plan. If a big 6 runs across the trail as you are hiking in, you may want to change your plan. Sometimes the signs are not quite that obvious so look out for tracks, and elk trails.

Look out for fresh scrapes and used wallows. If you start running in elk, investigate further. Let the elk dictate where you will hunt, and where you will walk. Elk season has arrived, and these are the days we have waited for all year. Make sure you hunt hard and leave it all on the field.