1st week or 2nd - which is usually better?

[Little Fish]

I'm pretty new to this elk hunting thing, but wanted to get some input from those with more experience. Last year when I ventured into the woods for the opener day I heard a fair number of bulls sounding off and had several cows respond to my bugles. This year I heard fewer bulls (2), but got no responses from the cows. So my question is this:  Is the first week of the season typically better for rutting/mating activity or is the second week of the season? I know there are no hard and fast rules, but in general what have people's experiences been?

BTW I am hunting the the westside if that matters.

[robodad]

My experience has been the closer you hunt to the first week of October the better but the weather may be screwing with you this year, when it gets crappy out the bulls get cranked up !!!

Good luck !!

[archery288]

The first week of season is usually a lull unless your on the eastside.  The westside doesn't really kick in hard until the middle or end of September. So I usually try and take the second week of season to get a little more rutting activity and its paid off!

[shorthair-on-point]

It depends on the year and weather but I would say the second week is usually better.

[Houndhunter]

depends on weather, area, and pressure i think. but most likely it sounds like your area will be better later on in the season

[scoyoc5]

I just got back from 4 days in the backcountry and the only bugles I heard were at night Im hoping the second week is better. I was on the eastside