When do bulls start bugling?

[buglebrush]

Back when Idaho opened aug 30 I never heard a lot of bugling but that first week is when we called in the biggest bulls. I don't think they had their harems yet and the big boys were more willing to fight or come try and round up a cow or two. That's my theory! but I really have no idea why that was. Anyways, I would definitely still hunt and do some calling. You probably know this but a lot of times they come in silent early so if I call I always wait 30 mins.    I agree that the most bugling rut activity always seems to occur starting the 15th all the way to the first part of October. Last week we stumbled into a  bunch of cows all talking and a bull was bugling his head off down in the creek below. Elk are strange     

   That early season is your very best chance at a monster.  Hunting isn't as much fun with lots of silent encounters, but we've always had great success early.  The hardest part is staying in the game mentally when the woods are silent.   

[dreamingbig]

Doesn't Idaho still open on the 30th of Aug? It says it does in the central elk zones.


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[DOUBLELUNG]

I've heard occasional bugles from June on, the greatest level of daytime bugling seems to occur following a cold front anywhere from late August to mid September.  Late September there is almost always some level of daytime bugling regardless of the weather. 

[idaho guy]

Doesn't Idaho still open on the 30th of Aug? It says it does in the central elk zones.


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yes in some zones- I usualy hunt in the panhandle which opens sep 6

[PA BEN]

I called in 3 bulls August 20th one year, fresh sign and 2 bulges from me and they came in quite

[piledup]

Based on my experiences, Idaho usually starts earlier than Washington. I have no exact date but Idaho will be bugling on opening day.

[Karl Blanchard]

Pecking orders are being established in august between bulls in an area.  Also, mature cows will come into estrus first, which can be as early as the end of august.  There is no bad time to be in the elk woods.

[rosscrazyelk]

I heard one bugle on wednesday. But still a month and half away  from the real stuff