Rut activity in NE Washington

[thatdamguy]

Has anyone heard any elk talking in the NE corner? I found a few rubs & scrapes and have seen elk but haven't heard any talking or answering yet. Hoping it heats up soon for the NE corner.

[splitshot]

   nope.    mike w

[Quackwhacker]

They're always a little quieter up there. Rut is definitely on though. Good luck.

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[Devinshoe]

My dad got a bull on Saturday up in the  NE . he said no elk talk. But wolves howling like crazy in the  early morning.

[BAR C3]

Rut is winding down.. They say its cause of global warming. Starts in early August and ends at beginning of September.    Damn Game department changed the dates to adjust.
Owell,  was out this weekend and didn't hear a thing!

[huntnnw]

everything was early this year remember? elk rutted in mid august 

[shortymorty]

No talking. We couldn't find a single fresh rub from this year compared to last year you got me. My thinking is the rut is not full swing yet up north but it can vary place to place. Fish and Game pushed hunting season back this year saying that most cows breed third week of September. Also there is not a lot of bulls killed yet this year compared to last year on this forum.That is elk hunting.

[buglebrush]

Had 8-10 wolves howling every time I bugled yesterday afternoon.  Tried to record it with my phone, but it didn't turn out.  The Bull I was working shut up for good with the first howl.   

[shortymorty]

What unit was that in? I'm in 117.some are saying it is almost over and some say it is just starting up.what is the real deal? I think it is pre rut still and I also know that pre rut you can call in the bulls. Like I said before every year that I've hunted up there in my spot I've always had rubs and scrapes all over the place from year to year. Not the case. When hunting whitetails if there is no scrapes that is weird. Same for the elk without those scapes the rut has not stared.

[shortymorty]

Man I suck at spelling.even with spell check.ha-ha

[skeeter 20i]

I always seem to have better "rut" behavior in the NE towards the end of Sept. 

[buglebrush]

What unit was that in? I'm in 117.some are saying it is almost over and some say it is just starting up.what is the real deal? I think it is pre rut still and I also know that pre rut you can call in the bulls. Like I said before every year that I've hunted up there in my spot I've always had rubs and scrapes all over the place from year to year. Not the case. When hunting whitetails if there is no scrapes that is weird. Same for the elk without those scapes the rut has not stared.

I have noticed they are in a little different areas this year.  Probably due to no Huckleberries.  Seen probably 30 fresh rubs yesterday.  The rut is just getting going, and the real problem with the NE is that their is just way more country than there is elk.  Way too many empty basins, and with all the brush it takes a lot longer to traverse.  Wolves making the elk less vocal is also a big problem.

[thatdamguy]

What unit was that in? I'm in 117.some are saying it is almost over and some say it is just starting up.what is the real deal? I think it is pre rut still and I also know that pre rut you can call in the bulls. Like I said before every year that I've hunted up there in my spot I've always had rubs and scrapes all over the place from year to year. Not the case. When hunting whitetails if there is no scrapes that is weird. Same for the elk without those scapes the rut has not stared.

I have noticed they are in a little different areas this year.  Probably due to no Huckleberries.  Seen probably 30 fresh rubs yesterday.  The rut is just getting going, and the real problem with the NE is that their is just way more country than there is elk.  Way too many empty basins, and with all the brush it takes a lot longer to traverse.  Wolves making the elk less vocal is also a big problem.

Yeah I agree and have noticed that this year also. I think the rut it just getting started in 121 and 117 .  Hope this colder weather kicks it into high gear.

[shortymorty]

I sure hope you guys are right sounds good to me anyway. I do have the elk in my spot but it is so much easier when they can respond to my calls. I mostly treestand hunt over water I think if I stick with that I might get one.it sure is hard to sit all day after day.

[cmiller85]

It has been a very odd year. Great weather, great dates, elk are rutting but are near completely silent. I had a response to a bugle on Sunday evening. It sounded legit but didn't get  a real good listen so I'm not 100% it wasn't another hunter. Haven't had any responses other than that at all and I'm in the elk.

The only single 100% elk bugle I've heard, was from a bull that bugled once and I just happened to be within ear shot. And that was at about 9:30 pm.

Most of my spots are seemingly void of elk. And them not being vocal is very unusual. Especially this far into Sept.