when to hunt for elk

[vandeman17]

I was going to put this in the out of state board but figured it would fit better here. My old man and I are hunting Oregon this year. The early archery season is August 24th to something like September 22nd. I would really like to hunt the last week of the season because of the chance of cooler temps and the rut should be in full swing then. I checked the moon schedule and of course, full moon like two days before the end of the season.  How would you guys approach this?

[Bean Counter]

I would check the extended forecasts. If its not going be hot during the day and clear at night I might try hunting a week plus out if you can adjust fire.

[vandeman17]

I have actually thought about going during the opening few days if I can locate some watering holes and wallows in my scouting trips. Would be pretty neat to maybe shoot an elk in velvet.

[pendoreilleadventures]

I have found early season can be good if you locate a good wallow and just sit tight and weight.

[blackveltbowhunter]

East or Westside? The easy answer is anytime is a good time when your hunting elk

     You know the habits and a patterns of elk in your area best. If you think the last week of the season is the best for your type of hunting, then I wouldnt let the moon phase be the only reason for making significant changes.

[vandeman17]

East or Westside? The easy answer is anytime is a good time when your hunting elk

     You know the habits and a patterns of elk in your area best. If you think the last week of the season is the best for your type of hunting, then I wouldnt let the moon phase be the only reason for making significant changes.

It will be in Eastern Oregon and this will be my first year hunting the area. I really would like to hunt when they are rutting and we have a chance to hear them bugling but it just sucks that the full moon falls right in the ideal time. We hunted Montana a few years back and the full moon screwed us pretty good. Not sure I want to take that chance again... 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Gothcha..... Well I will share some LIMITED observations Maybe it will help. 

   Last year I was over for 10 days the first week of season. I spent the first 5 days up high, and the last five more mobile, covering some different area and changing tactics a bit. My observations were the rut was coming, but calling it pre rut may have been a stretch. No bulls in velvet, ( except spikes ) but still mostly batchelor herds. Cows were calm, and seemed relaxed, if bulls were present with cows they were young bulls. I heard very little bugling, but witnessed several sparring sessions. Nothing crazy, but they were testing the water for sure. I prefer to call or spot and stalk elk. Calling seemed weak at best, so I was looking for bulls in stalkable areas. If you can sit water, that would be a deadly tactic as they were using the same water daily.

   I came back for the last 10 days as well with my hunting partner. We arrived on the 15th I believe. Bulls were screaming, but were also educated and/or had big harems of cows. The heat and learning new country made it tuff, bulls would be screaming all night then shut up 30 min after daylight, again at night. Wallows and rubs were everywhere, but were all several days old, it appeared to me pre rut was ending and they were progressing into the heart of the rut. Moon or no moon it appeared they were partying all night, pressure was high, and the heat and fires played a role as well im sure. BUT, like you Im learning new country, and elk habits. Given last years lessons i wouldnt hesitate to go back again the last week, I am sure they will be talking. But if I had to choose i may decide to move my season back a week and catch the height of pre rut activity and maybe lose some competition as well.

   

[vandeman17]

I completely agree with your thought process and thus my indecision. Part of the draw for early elk is to be able to hear them bugle but I also want the best chance at getting a bull which might be earlier in the season. It is a really tough call.

[Bhunter253]

I hunted the heppner 2 years in a row the last week of the season both times. Hot hot an more hot low 80s to mid 90s as stated above bulls were screaming at night and would disappear during the day. the Hunters that were there the week before had opportunities and got to see elk.I never saw one not in the moonlight. If I were to do it again id go the week before the last week, but then I'm sure that'd be the wrong week.lol you just never know with the weather.

[vandeman17]

We had a similar experience in Montana a few years ago. The day we got there it was raining and from there on out, I don't think we saw a cloud in the sky and it was really warm. We didn't hear a bugle until the second to last day and only saw one elk. Luckily the one we saw I was able to shoot but still it was pretty rough. The guys that were there the week before us got rained on almost every day but they said the bulls were screaming the whole time. All about the weather!

[JLS]

I was going to put this in the out of state board but figured it would fit better here. My old man and I are hunting Oregon this year. The early archery season is August 24th to something like September 22nd. I would really like to hunt the last week of the season because of the chance of cooler temps and the rut should be in full swing then. I checked the moon schedule and of course, full moon like two days before the end of the season.  How would you guys approach this?

I wouldn't worry a hoot about the moon.  If you can only hunt seven days, go the 15-22nd.  Find where the elk are and hunt them.  Later in the season I think they are actually MORE predictable in where they will be because of hunting pressure.  Find areas that are devoid of roads and trails.  It doesn't have to be miles from a road.

[Tbar]

I will offer my I would go as late as possible. I wouldn't worry about the full moon, actually you can capitalize on it. I start marking bulls at about 3am sometimes earlier. If they are fired up and going good this allows for a few hours to concentrate on setups. The moon will allow you easy navigation to get into position for an ambush. I try to hunt pressured elk where they are going not so much where they are at, so to speak. The changing morning wind us a much bigger problem than the moon IMO. I have had elk that I know are shutting down really in the morning be active for a couple hours of daylight. If they are locked up with harems you may have to get aggressive, real aggressive, some of my tactics would be considered borderline crazy, but they work.
Another thing I have noticed is if I put a bull to bed and know his general location, I will make a midday stand and attempt to work him. I have had them shut down before reaching an ambush andbecome non responsive then have them explode out of their bed with a cow call at noon. I think this is a way underutilized tactic. I can't tell you how many bulls I've called midday, starting them off with a cow call that I'm only blowing to cover my movements in route to my afternoon setup.
 Lastly when everything fails (as it often does) consult the  guru of elk, elknut. Lol. He will either talk you off the cliff or bring to light a simple mistake you may be making. He is the must knowledgeable elk calling/hunting expert I have ever encountered.   

[Tbar]

Another thing that would weigh heavily in my decision making process is what's your target? Any bull? Herd bull? If I am targeting herd bulls the later the better. They come out of the woodwork  the closer to the rut, and they are easier to pattern.

[vandeman17]

It depends on where we hunt actually. If either of us draw in the unit we want then it will be herd bull but if we go general season then I am good with anything. Any kill with a bow is a trophy to me!