Muzzleloading in early October, bulls still talking?

[ghosthunter]

Depends where you are.
I have hunted muzzy the last 5 years. And we often hear a bull screaming in early am hours. They are still herded up and always have cows. Since we are hunting cows or spikes we dont call alot.
But I know of at least two spikes called in with cow calls.

The weather I think plays a big part. Last year was dry. No bulls screaming.

Looks like this could be another no fire hot hunt this year. Hunt the water holes.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I changed up this year too ..got me a western muzzy tag ..have not done it for awhile so I figured what the heck ..Calling is always fun but has anyone ever stalked an elk or tried ? I never let anything get in my way when it comes to hunting ..I have walked up within a couple feet of elk many times by just following a well beaten path ...keep the wind in your face and move slowly ...especially on the westside with all this bush ...you can creep right into their bedroom ...I would like to pop one with my 54 Cal and a jacketed bullet just to see the results 

[buglebrush]

New hunter here, not hunted elk here yet and trying to learn myself.....

I have to say I am a bit confused, I see so many threads of people complaining that Archery is to early, unfair as rut not started yet, etc, etc..  Then I see this thread with concern on if the Bulls will still be cranky in Muzzy?

General Early Arch is Sept2-14 pretty much across the board, General Muzzy is Oct 4-10.  That leaves a 2.5week gap.  Is the rutt really so short that it falls between these two general seasons and the bulls go from not vocal to vocal to not in such a short timeframe?  The answers point to the fact that they are "still" vocal, but I am just curious what is the usual rut timing and duration if there is such a thing?

Hunt a week starting about September 18th, and you will see the difference!  Can you still get action early and late?  Sure!  But those two weeks we miss it is almost guaranteed to be 10X better!