West side elk rut

[gee_unit360]

In your opinion, what generally are the peak times for the elk rut on the West side? Obviously weather can play a part. What are your experiences regarding dates the rut has peaked? I normally hunt rifle East side but I switched to muzzle elk this year on the West side and am wondering if I will catch the tail end of the rut during the Oct 3-11 season. Thanks.

[JimmyHoffa]

I see most last week of September and first week of October.  The less logging in an area, the later it seems to go.  The areas that have the big clear cuts or wide open river bars seem to concentrate the herds.  Sometimes herds over a hundred.  The heavier the timber gets, the more it seems the herds break up-maybe six to ten cows/calves each, all scattered in the various drainages.  The bulls have to go find each of the little herds.

[buglebuster]

The weather doesn't have anything to do with the rut. When its hot the are just more active at night. They rut the same time every year. I've had great hot and heavy rut action during muzzy season. My westside muzzy bull came in bugling his brains out opening day last year, which I believe was October 4th.

[elk247]

In my area the archery guys will get most of the rut. It peaks out during the last week of archery and during the closure, Then the muzzy guys get some great days in the field at the tail end. You made a good switch IMO. Be ready to hit it hard on the opener, the best days are right off the bat, but with a muzzy tag you don't have time to waste anyway. They get more vocal at slightly different times I've found depending on the unit, but generally speaking the muzzy guys have some favorable dates on the calander the next 3 years.

[scoutdog346]

Idk what peek of rut means anymore.  I thought i did but after reading some info the last few months my idia is that cows go into estrus starting in late August all the way to mid October every cow is different.  This estrus goes on for a few days and it has a peek just like the half life a medication does and when a bull is around a cow in estrus that time of year he becomes vulnerable because he neglects some of his other senses concentrating on breeding. I think a cow in peek estrus is more appealing to a bull then a cow in the beginning phase and tail end phase. If that is true and it might not be i want to know when r the most cows in peek estrus on the west side??? in my experience on the east side the easiest time to call in a bull is September 22th to October 5th. Idk y this is but its been like that for me on the east side for 15+years.  I had a knowledgeable guy tell me east and west side elk differ only 2 or 3 days when they rut.
When someone says peek of the rut r they asking a question of biology or one of behavior or is it the same becouse biology influences behavior? Can someone break it down for me becouse i just lost myself in my thoughts and realize i still dont know what im talking about...lol?

[elk247]

Your right, I dont think there is more than a few days difference across the state. I've heard cows can go into estrus up to 4 times if they aren't bred lasting through October and into November but that pretty rare.  The main one that people call "the" rut is around mid September to the first week of October (at least that's when I've seen them breeding) I'm no biologist, this is my understanding. Elk rut is the 8th wonder of the world  is it moon phase, how much light enters the elks retinas, weather, gestation period pertaining to calf drop the following spring, or something else that triggers the cows? There are so many different theory's that all seem logical. My moneys on some combination the above. This is only my opinion, it might be different for someone else. Your dates sept 22- Oct5 sound good for peak dates to me.

[BUTTER]

I agree with most the guys on here that mid sept is good rut actvitiy but I still like early sept as well  and even late august I believe this is your best chance at scoring a big bull before they have cows and are in search of claiming a heard we've all had the bull that will answer and answer and every time you make your move he swoops his ladies and takes a run out of town. I was actually bummed they moved archery later into sept maybe I'm just crazy

[floatinghat]

In SW where I hunt I have yet to hear a bull bugle during muzzy.  I have heard bugles followed by a truck door or exhaust.  It could just be where I hunt but for me it has been quiet. I'm not buying my tag till late just in case I decide to go stick and string or if everything is closed due to fire.

[trophyhunt]

I think my wife's rifle tag covers it, sept 28 thru 0ct 2nd

[WapitiTalk1]

The majority of the cows hit their estrus cycle during the third week of September.  This is what is commonly referred to as the "peak of the rut" due to the response multiple cow's coming into estrus elicits from the bulls. Yes, it's true that a few cows come into their cycle early and some, if a bull's efforts doesn't "take", can have a second or third cycle into October which certainly can cause some bull excitement. Reminder that there are several phases of the rut which can play into a hunter's favor if understood.  Every year, a handfull of folks arrow a bull that runs in screaming the first few days of September, I've done this myself.  As the length of day changes, a bull's testosterone level rises and he starts thinking "hmm, perhaps those gals aren't that bad after all" (grin) and they methodically move from their bachelor groups towards the cows. Many times, the lesser bulls will move towards the cows first and start a "mock" herding up activity which really isn't necessarily about cows coming into estrus.  Later in the rut, as the cows start hitting their cycle, the more mature bulls will move in and assume dominance over the herd and those lesser bulls become satellites which are ripe for the picking to some good calling.  Elk hunters seem to have varied opinions on when they feel their chances are better/success rates higher during the fall elk rut; some say earlier in the rut when the initial herding up activity is occurring (first few weeks of SEP) but I have always been of the opinion that the third week of SEP, particularly from the 20th of SEP thru the first few days in OCT offer the classic elk rut, bugling activity in no small part to the overwhelming majority of cows having their estrus cycle.  Others may disagree but that's what I've learned over a year or two of being in the elk woods in several states during SEP.  If you're hunting the first week of OCT this fall, you'll encouter some pretty defined herd activity with mature bulls tending their harems.  Don't sleep on those satellites hanging just outside of the herd, they're mighty tasty and are oftentimes more than willing to come in to some soft, lonely cow calls if you work them just outside the herd.  Watch the wind and good luck on your hunt.     

[BUTTER]

This was august 16th last season up around

[Curly]

This was august 16th last season up around

up around..............Brokeback Mtn?

[WapitiTalk1]

Was waiting for that.. Hey, let's not judge.  What happens on the mountain, stays on the mountain    Perhaps it was just an innocent game of young bulls playing leapfrog that went horribly wrong 

[BUTTER]

Obviously this is up close to Capital hill

[Jonathan_S]

This was august 16th last season up around

Since bulls don't come into estrous I don't think this has much bearing on the discussion

...just let Jack and Ennis enjoy their time together and quit posting picture of them. 

[Harbor_hunter]

Obviously this is up close to Capital hill