collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?  (Read 9938 times)

Offline ORBowHunter

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Feb 2012
  • Posts: 27
  • Location: Oregon
Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?
« on: July 19, 2012, 10:19:29 PM »
What are your thoughts on the best timing of the rut, for the western side of Oregon and Washington?  I see dates in magazines, but it seems like it's more relevant to Colorado, AZ, etc etc, and i wonder if it's the same for the rainforest Rosies we have?
What do you think? 
What dates do you think they'll be in full swing rut mode?
thanks!
"I am a hunter. The kill is the satisfying, indeed essential, conclusion to a successful hunt. But, I take no pleasure in the act itself. I do not hunt in order to kill, but kill to have hunted. I hunt because I am a hunter".- Finn Aagard

Offline MLBowhunting

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2009
  • Posts: 3948
  • Location: shelton
Re: Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2012, 10:32:25 PM »
May just depend on the weather ;)
Copper John Pro Staff
R.A.D Broadheads
R.A.D Peeps
Hot Shot Pro Staff

Offline STIKNSTRINGBOW

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2008
  • Posts: 4366
  • Location: Chehalis
    • https://www.facebook.com/stiknstring.bow
Re: Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2012, 02:57:16 AM »
I am probably wrong, but here are my thoughts on the matter...
Cow elk enter into estrous based upon their maturity, calves usually early, as in mid to late August. (as they are 1 and 1/2 years old, and they are really not ready to breed.)
A few cows that have mature calves  (moms of those young breeders) will be next, first estrous is is late august.
a cow is receptive for mating less than 24 hours. She won't be willing to mate again until her second estrus cycle arrives in >20 days. Cows can have up to four estrus cycles each season, but most cows become pregnant during the first or second cycle.
In Western Washington, (O.K. both sides) a cow usually gets bred during her second, this happens in mid to late September.
It is my honest opinion that you can/will call in MORE bulls during the first half of September, but the real "Rut" is during the last full moon of September, as almost all cows, except the ones that  got bred in August, and even a few of them, will all come into estrous within a week, or two of each other.
You have seen the mayhem of a healthy herd during "PEAK RUT" , but honestly, In Washington, rarely will you see a "harem" of more than 15 cows. (during the rut) and in the area I hunt, there will be 3 bulls (average) in every group.
If I had to chose one week, it would be the one we get this year, Full moon fading to new, it will almost be daylight from the light of the moon as I get ahead of the next guy that parks at the gate, get out of your sleeping bag, and go listen to he elk, ..., because they have not been pestered by little green men yet.
And you know it is going to be dark at 8:00, with a couple mile walk out and the "round up" bugles echoing behind you while the Roosies swim out of the swamps and ferns that you were wading through all day...
I can hardly wait for September !!
The mountains are calling and I must go."
- John Muir
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."
- John Burroughs
NASP Certified Basic Archery Instructor
NASP Certified Basic Archery Instructor Trainer

Offline buglin4bulls

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Aug 2010
  • Posts: 458
  • Location: Wenatchee
  • HAHA! HERE WE GO
Re: Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2012, 06:23:00 AM »
When you can smell them in the woods without seeing them  :tup:
This is the year im going to get drawn, i can feel it. NOT SELECTED, NOT SELECTED, NOT SELECTED, NOT SELECTED, NOT SELECTED, NOT SELECTED... damn :(

Offline D-Rock425

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+12)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 13262
  • Location: Lake stevens
Re: Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2012, 07:08:43 AM »
I would love to start about the 15th of September every year.

Offline dreamingbig

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 2814
  • Location: Mukilteo, WA
Re: Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2012, 08:05:51 AM »
For WA it doesn't really matter.  They won't allow us to hunt the rut (only the special rifle tag gets too) so you are stuck with Sep 4th to 16th this year.  For the past 10 years or so we have noticed it kick in about Sept 12th to 15th.

We are continuing to petition to get our season back to Sep 8 to the 21st.  A good compromise.
@mukbowhunt
Avid Bowhunter
Maxxis 35 / Trykon XL

Offline AKBowman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2008
  • Posts: 1487
  • Location: Snoqualmie, WA
Re: Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2012, 08:11:34 AM »
I am probably wrong, but here are my thoughts on the matter...
Cow elk enter into estrous based upon their maturity, calves usually early, as in mid to late August. (as they are 1 and 1/2 years old, and they are really not ready to breed.)
A few cows that have mature calves  (moms of those young breeders) will be next, first estrous is is late august.
a cow is receptive for mating less than 24 hours. She won't be willing to mate again until her second estrus cycle arrives in >20 days. Cows can have up to four estrus cycles each season, but most cows become pregnant during the first or second cycle.
In Western Washington, (O.K. both sides) a cow usually gets bred during her second, this happens in mid to late September.
It is my honest opinion that you can/will call in MORE bulls during the first half of September, but the real "Rut" is during the last full moon of September, as almost all cows, except the ones that  got bred in August, and even a few of them, will all come into estrous within a week, or two of each other.
You have seen the mayhem of a healthy herd during "PEAK RUT" , but honestly, In Washington, rarely will you see a "harem" of more than 15 cows. (during the rut) and in the area I hunt, there will be 3 bulls (average) in every group.
If I had to chose one week, it would be the one we get this year, Full moon fading to new, it will almost be daylight from the light of the moon as I get ahead of the next guy that parks at the gate, get out of your sleeping bag, and go listen to he elk, ..., because they have not been pestered by little green men yet.
And you know it is going to be dark at 8:00, with a couple mile walk out and the "round up" bugles echoing behind you while the Roosies swim out of the swamps and ferns that you were wading through all day...
I can hardly wait for September !!


You seem to have it figured out pretty well...now if
You could just call worth a damn!!  :chuckle: 
Just giving you crap, good luck this yr!
"All you can do is hunt” - Roy Roth

Offline ORBowHunter

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Feb 2012
  • Posts: 27
  • Location: Oregon
Re: Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2012, 08:14:24 AM »
I am probably wrong, but here are my thoughts on the matter...
Cow elk enter into estrous based upon their maturity, calves usually early, as in mid to late August. (as they are 1 and 1/2 years old, and they are really not ready to breed.)
A few cows that have mature calves  (moms of those young breeders) will be next, first estrous is is late august.
a cow is receptive for mating less than 24 hours. She won't be willing to mate again until her second estrus cycle arrives in >20 days. Cows can have up to four estrus cycles each season, but most cows become pregnant during the first or second cycle.
In Western Washington, (O.K. both sides) a cow usually gets bred during her second, this happens in mid to late September.
It is my honest opinion that you can/will call in MORE bulls during the first half of September, but the real "Rut" is during the last full moon of September, as almost all cows, except the ones that  got bred in August, and even a few of them, will all come into estrous within a week, or two of each other.
You have seen the mayhem of a healthy herd during "PEAK RUT" , but honestly, In Washington, rarely will you see a "harem" of more than 15 cows. (during the rut) and in the area I hunt, there will be 3 bulls (average) in every group.
If I had to chose one week, it would be the one we get this year, Full moon fading to new, it will almost be daylight from the light of the moon as I get ahead of the next guy that parks at the gate, get out of your sleeping bag, and go listen to he elk, ..., because they have not been pestered by little green men yet.
And you know it is going to be dark at 8:00, with a couple mile walk out and the "round up" bugles echoing behind you while the Roosies swim out of the swamps and ferns that you were wading through all day...
I can hardly wait for September !!

 :yeah:  That's really helpful STIKNSTRINGBOW, thanks!    I'm itching to get out there and get after those beautiful Rosies soon!
"I am a hunter. The kill is the satisfying, indeed essential, conclusion to a successful hunt. But, I take no pleasure in the act itself. I do not hunt in order to kill, but kill to have hunted. I hunt because I am a hunter".- Finn Aagard

Offline sirmissalot

  • Past Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2011
  • Posts: 3070
  • Location: Shelton, WA
    • chadpburgess@faceboo​k.com
Re: Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2012, 08:47:49 AM »
Last year we called in a bull the day before the season opened, I got video of it on my phone but not sure I know how to post a video... he was about 15 yards and pretty hot! We called in a bull the next day too but I screwed it up by not being drawn back, he ran when I drew. I am no elk calling expert thats for sure, but I've definitely had more luck earlier in the season than later, but our season has been pushed back quite a bit now.

Offline dreamunelk

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2009
  • Posts: 2049
Re: Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2012, 01:51:06 PM »
A cow elk will not come in to estrous and even if she does it is very likely to conceive until she is in the correct nutritional condition. 

Offline JLS

  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2010
  • Posts: 4623
  • Location: In my last tracks.....
  • Groups: Support the LWCF!
Re: Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?
« Reply #10 on: July 20, 2012, 01:59:14 PM »
A cow elk will not come in to estrous and even if she does it is very likely to conceive until she is in the correct nutritional condition.

Huh?  Ungulates have to be in pretty poor nutritional state for them to not come into estrus.
Matthew 7:13-14

Offline STIKNSTRINGBOW

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2008
  • Posts: 4366
  • Location: Chehalis
    • https://www.facebook.com/stiknstring.bow
Re: Best rut dates for archery elk on wet side?
« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2012, 12:18:20 AM »
Last year we called in a bull the day before the season opened, I got video of it on my phone but not sure I know how to post a video... he was about 15 yards and pretty hot! We called in a bull the next day too but I screwed it up by not being drawn back, he ran when I drew. I am no elk calling expert thats for sure, but I've definitely had more luck earlier in the season than later, but our season has been pushed back quite a bit now.
Last year I called in 9 bulls in 5 days, but kept all my arrows (except one I lost on a grouse)
I am no calling expert, but getting better, learn something new every year.
I might actually place in the top 20 in the calling contest though...
The mountains are calling and I must go."
- John Muir
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."
- John Burroughs
NASP Certified Basic Archery Instructor
NASP Certified Basic Archery Instructor Trainer

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Utah cow elk hunt by kselkhunter
[Today at 02:54:14 PM]


AUCTION: SE Idaho DIY Deer or Deer/Elk Hunt by Dan-o
[Today at 01:51:02 PM]


A lonely Job... by Loup Loup
[Today at 01:15:11 PM]


Pocket Carry by jdb
[Today at 01:04:51 PM]


Range finders & Angle Compensation by Fidelk
[Today at 11:58:48 AM]


Willapa Hills 1 Bear by hunter399
[Today at 10:55:29 AM]


Tree stand for Western Washingtn by Shannon
[Today at 08:56:36 AM]


Bearpaw Outfitters Annual July 4th Hunt Sale by bearpaw
[Today at 08:40:03 AM]


KODIAK06 2025 trail cam and personal pics thread by Boss .300 winmag
[Today at 07:53:52 AM]


Yard bucks by Boss .300 winmag
[Yesterday at 11:20:39 PM]


Yard babies by Feathernfurr
[Yesterday at 10:04:54 PM]


Seeking recommendations on a new scope by coachg
[Yesterday at 08:10:21 PM]


Sauk Unit Youth Elk Tips by high_hunter
[Yesterday at 08:06:05 PM]


Jupiter Mountain Rayonier Permit- 621 Bull Tag by HntnFsh
[Yesterday at 07:58:22 PM]


MOVED: Seekins Element 7PRC for sale by Bob33
[Yesterday at 06:57:10 PM]


3 pintails by metlhead
[Yesterday at 04:44:03 PM]


1993 Merc issues getting up on plane by Happy Gilmore
[Yesterday at 04:37:55 PM]


Unit 364 Archery Tag by buglebuster
[Yesterday at 12:16:59 PM]


In the background by zwickeyman
[Yesterday at 12:10:13 PM]


A. Cole Lockback in AEB-L and Micarta by A. Cole
[Yesterday at 09:15:34 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal