Hunting the Elk Rut in Washington State

[rtspring]

Good advice in this thread but I’m not sure how it helps in finding a true spike.

I have called in way more spikes and young bulls prerut they are very willing to say with a herd. if a bull has showed up and bumped him he will hang pretty close often if you present as a lonely cow or very young bull he will come take a peak . remember when calling early season to give it time say 45 min then move a few hundred yards . I have had bulls run in with out a peep and take there time coming in undetected . Remember your making noise while moving through the woods so you might as well try to imulate one of the animals that lives there .

I remember one that came RUNNING into us!!!
Arrogant prick!!

[D-Rock425]

Now if I could just get lucky enough to draw this year.

[floatinghat]

So far the average time for peak activity the last 6-10 years has been the last week of Septemberto mid second week of October. Just my experience in theareas iI hunt.

Interesting,  I hunt SW and have yet to hear a bull bugle during early muzzy.  Every year I hear hunters trying their locators but can say  I can't confirm a single bugle where I hunt.  Do they rut a couple weeks later on the east side? 

[chester]

I've heard them in early muzzle in Sw. Never in the daylight but I'm guessing getting called at non stop for all of archery season plays a role.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I hardly ever see anyone with a bugle.  Most guys have a cow call but no tube.  this year might be differnt.  I also think the earlier season might be better for the lone Bulls.  Although the 5th last year there were already 25 cows with the bull we were after.  So by the 12th it might be tough to lure him away from his cows.

[danderson]

  Some great points here, one thing that didn't get mentioned was racking trees, I have a old moose bone that I use to thrash brush, or just an old branch I rarely ever use a bulge or cow call

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

most people don't.  I take advantage of that.

[Big6bull]

Getting me all worked up guys 

[xXLojackXx]

Maybe this will be the year WDFW cooperates with me.