September 12th making a difference?

[scoutdog346]

New to the west archery elk hunt.  I know the east side will b crazy with it starting September 12th instead of September 2nd regarding vocal bulls.  Will the west side bulls be significantly more responsive this season when compared to last year because of the later dates of the season like they will in the east side. I understand this may sound like a stupid question but on the east side September 12th to the 24th is way way way different than early September starting the 2nd or the 3rd on the east side. in your opinion or guess how much of a difference will it be this year than last year on the west side?  The 2 week later in September difference is huge on the east side, is it as big of difference on the west side like it is on the east? I'm anticipating a much better hunt then last year on the west side because of the later seasons.  does it make sense to think this?

[Dbax129]

Im pretty new to this but thats the impression I get. Last year I didnt see any bulls with cows early archery. They were in bachelor groups still and alone. Everyone I have talked to sounds pretty excited about it.

[scoutdog346]

I hope so...thanks. Im going west side this year again for the 2nd time.  Im hunting gmu 506 again.  Hope to get a branch bull and heare more bugles.

[DoubleJ]

Because elk use calendars

[jackelope]

I'm not too sure it will make a huge difference, but I'm sure it will at least be a little better timing. Really the weather will probably be the biggest contributing factor. If it's 90 degrees out, it probably won't make too much of a difference I don't think.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

It will be better!!

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[coachcw]

the last few days will rock if you far enough away from the pressure

[Todd_ID]

We changed it because that's what hunters wanted. It won't make a difference on the number of elk harvested. 10% of the people will always kill 90% of the elk regardless of the restrictions put on them. The key in being successful is figuring out for yourself how to get into that 10%.

[scoutdog346]

10%...does that mean the harvest percentages will not increas this year?

[bobcat]

It sure seems to me that archery hunters could harvest more elk this year, due to the later season. Why wouldn't the harvest be higher? People have been asking for the later season so they can hunt elk when they're more vocal, and therefore much easier to locate. If the archery harvest isn't higher in certain units, that will probably be due to the population being down due to hoof rot.

The overall elk harvest may not increase, because if archery success is higher maybe muzzleloader and modern firearm will be lower. There's just no way to know, we will just have to wait and see. What I'm really curious about is how many people switched to muzzleloader this year because of all the additional GMUs they added to the early muzzleloader season.

[RadSav]

10%...does that mean the harvest percentages will not increas this year?

Not significantly in my opinion.  Might be a higher bull harvest, but numbers should remain very much the same.

[scoutdog346]

yeah I don't see how the percentages of bull harvest won't be up.  I think they will b way up then last year. Archery that is...

[elk247]

10%...does that mean the harvest percentages will not increas this year?

Not significantly in my opinion.  Might be a higher bull harvest, but numbers should remain very much the same.

I think there will be more bowhunters in the woods than there has been in quite a while if not an all-time high. Maybe more elk will be harvested during bow season but harvest ℅ numbers don't change much year to year. I'm not even convinced that the elk will be much more responsive.  If we can get cooler temps, no fire restricted access and away from the pressure, that last week will be a lot of fun. (That moon phase!) Most guys just found out if they drew a special tag, I found out about a year ago that this season was going to be one to remember! OTC DIY elk hunters dream.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Bull havest will be up this year due to better rut activity, with the later season.  Normally things really start picking up just as the season is ending.   

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[Orion]

Rut activity will be up and people activity will be down. Moving away from labor day will make a difference.