Muzzleloading in early October, bulls still talking?

[longstevo]

Got an OTC elk tag in Washington this year for muzzleloader.  Was thinking that this may cut down on the circus crowd of modern rifle hunters and maybe, even just a small chance of bulls still being interested by calling.

Has anyone had any experiences with bull elk still doing their thing in early October?

I've heard bugling bulls in Idaho in the middle of October, but this Rosies can be a little different.

[headshot5]

Yeah they will still talk in October.  Some years better than others.  The elk herds that get pushed hard in Archery tend to talk less.  Cow calls are always effective. 

[snowpack]

Yeah, they still talk in October and even November.

[washelkhunter]

Are you hunting E or W?

[buglebrush]

In my experience a lot depends on the weather in October.  With a one week season that can really make or break your year.   

[WSU]

I've only done it twice.  Both times there were herd bulls with the cows still but not all that vocal.

[Beargravy]

Bulls will be talking still, the main thing is they are still with the cows unlike the rifle season.Circus? that all depends where u go.I have the same experience in Idaho in mid Oct. bulls still screaming and you have a rifle, fun time!

[Bob33]

Are you hunting E or W?

"I've heard bugling bulls in Idaho in the middle of October, but this Rosies can be a little different."

[Fullabull]

I would think with how early the archery season is this year, the elk will have a lot of time to settle down before fuzzy season so could be good season for you. I archery hunt but I'm heading to Idaho to hunt the second half of September this year. Something I have never had a chance to do hear.

[RadSav]

My best day of bugling ever was October 16th!  Was the day after the first snow of the year up there.  Worked eleven different bulls that day.  October 17th was a brutal day!  As we worked sun up to sun down packing a 7X7 and a 5X5 out of the back country

[teanawayslayer]

My best day of bugling ever was October 16th!  Was the day after the first snow of the year up there.  Worked eleven different bulls that day.  October 17th was a brutal day!  As we worked sun up to sun down packing a 7X7 and a 5X5 out of the back country

Yep that's a rough day! that's to bad!

[lamrith]

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?

[buglebuster]

Nope not vocal at all... leave all your calls at home

[RadSav]

My best day of bugling ever was October 16th!  Was the day after the first snow of the year up there.  Worked eleven different bulls that day.  October 17th was a brutal day!  As we worked sun up to sun down packing a 7X7 and a 5X5 out of the back country

Yep that's a rough day! that's to bad!

The camp meat deer we had shot and only eaten about 20% of put us over the top.

[kentrek]

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?

From end of augest until like radsav said mid October...theres lots of different phases in that time period and each phase has its advantages and disadvantages....youl get random spurts of high bugling activity through out the whole time but will be concentrated during the end of September

[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!