Full moon and archery elk

[stickbuck]

I would definitely go the last week of the season regardless of the moon. If you're worried about clear nights and hot day temps I would definitely steer clear of the end of August and beginning of September. With a full moon, I usually have more midday activity than normal plus you have a better chance at some cooler weather too going later in September.

[vandeman17]

I will only speak of first hand experience. The two biggest obstacles for me in calling/ hunting rutting elk are (1) hot weather, and (2) getting discouraged. Hot weather will sometimes shut down all daytime activity regardless of moon phase, find water with sign, if they aren't there they will be.  The second is staying positive (this is one I struggle with). Often times when things go wrong, and they will, I lose focus and deviate from the game plan. If you stay the course things usually will eventually go right.
There is always the luck factor (both good and bad) but if you prepare and pay close attention to detail when it comes to setup it will work out for the good. Close attention to setup has had a more positive effect than any negatives including moon and weather. If they are doing all their playing at night move in on them early, real early and keep a safe distance until light allows proper setup.
Good luck, stay positive, and have fun. You have a special gift of hunting with your dad, it will be a success no matter what tags get punched.

That is fantastic advice and I agree. I also like your point about hunting with my old man. I am really excited to be able to go with him and what I really love is hearing how stoked he is to go. He travels a lot for work and works a ton overall so this has been getting him really motivated. Killing an elk will just be icing on the cake for us but what I really want is to just be able to have my dad hear some bulls screaming and get that rush. It is his first year bow hunting and I have taken him out with me a few times and every time we had a bull scream, the look on his face made it all worth it!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Lots of good points made! Elk need water and lots of it! When its hot they need water when its cold they need water. Hunt as many days of hunt you can. The more the better. As stated postive attitude at all times. Treat every day as the first day and and youll have a great hunt!

[billdo5]

 

[huntnnw]

never ever payed attention to the moon...going to be in the woods if I am not working...The elk rut same time frame no matter the moon or temps..those calves have to be dropped at specific time in the spring

[billdo5]

never ever payed attention to the moon...going to be in the woods if I am not working...The elk rut same time frame no matter the moon or temps..those calves have to be dropped at specific time in the spring

Wrong... The weather can have a huge factor...

[kentrek]

never ever payed attention to the moon...going to be in the woods if I am not working...The elk rut same time frame no matter the moon or temps..those calves have to be dropped at specific time in the spring

Wrong... The weather can have a huge factor...

haha the elk rut in the same time frame...late august till mid October 

hes not talking about intensity

[JPhelps]

The rut is based on length of daylight (shortening of).  Weather plays very little part in the timing of the elk rut. 

Now it will effect what we as hunters perceive as the rut (bugling).  I will say there isn't a better day to be in the woods than the first nice day following some bad weather.

[billdo5]

I am

[vandeman17]

My biggest worry of a full moon is having clear bright nights where they are out feeding and cruising around all night and holding up in the deep dark timber all day long.

[BULLBLASTER]

If they are holed up in the deep timber all daylong go in after them. Where I hunt elk in Idaho they very rarely if ever come out of.the thick timber. Most times I am in brush that I can't see 30 yards in. In the past I have had good luck silently sneaking in on a bungling bull in the dark and remaining 100-200 yards away until light and going from there. The Eli will be rutting around the same.time frame regardless of weather. They may or may not be very vocal though. Warm weather will not stopped the rut...

[vandeman17]

We plan on hunting long and hard and getting in their bedrooms if needed but for my old man's sake, I really would like at least a few chances to cow call a bugling bull in to him. Even if he doesn't get a shot, I just want to see his face when a bull screams near him.

[Tbar]

      This is where things can get fun, doesn't always result in a kill, but it can be fun. If you mark them in the timber at night and know their general vicinity get aggressive. Use elknuts tactic on busting them. I used it calling and it was a rush. I had I passive herd bull at ten feet wanting to fight. I played his scenario like a textbook.

[vandeman17]

      This is where things can get fun, doesn't always result in a kill, but it can be fun. If you mark them in the timber at night and know their general vicinity get aggressive. Use elknuts tactic on busting them. I used it calling and it was a rush. I had I passive herd bull at ten feet wanting to fight. I played his scenario like a textbook.

That is our plan if the weather is clear and depending on what the rutting activity is like. We are fine being in well before light and getting set up and trying to ruffle some feathers. 

[huntnnw]

Thats all I know is big timber..thats where the elk in NE WA and N ID spend 80% of their time   u dont watch elk grazing here in clear cuts and meadows