Help me pick my vacation dates for archery season please!

[returnofsid]

I need help from you elk gurus!  I've archery hunted the past few years, but have never really gotten into the elk much.  My first year, I missed a big bull, failing to use my range finder...grrr. That was the only elk I saw that season.  Last year, I made a really stupid mistake and used my wrong pin! That was the only elk I saw the entire season. The two years in between, I didn't see a single elk, except for a rag head that didn't offer a shot opportunity.

Anyway, it's time for me to schedule my vacation.  I need to give enough notice for staffing reasons.  I have two weeks vacation but will only be using one week. I hunt in the North East corner of the state.  Early Archery elk dates are Sept. 9-21st. If you had a choice, which dates would you take off, and why?  Which dates do you feel would allow the best opportunity for elk to be actively bugling and answering to cow call and bugling strategies?

Thank you everyone for any advice you're willing to give!!

[jstone]

I put in for the 15-22nd. Just in case I draw a permit. I will be there opening weekend to.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Take off September 4th - 10th. Spend all week scouting and pinning the elk down and kill one either the 9th or 10th.

[Tbob]

I'm headed out the 7th-17th. Couple days pre season to find em, and hopefully a day or two to get one.. If I'm that lucky, I'll spend the rest of my time looking for deer and bears, maybe a little fishing too.. Good luck man!

[Mudman]

Always feel opening is the best.  Despite rut activity (Pre-rut can be good too) Other hunters will be pushing and pressuring opening day so why wait? So take few days before to set and scout and be ready for the open. Besides in that country finding them is the real accomplishment right?

[MIKEXRAY]

I'm always out opening day/ weekend ,  second week the elk are much more spooked and nocturnal.  In my area they head up to safety first few days up the ridge by 9 am . Second week they are up the ridge to bedding / safety well before light.  I always vote first week .

[The scout]

It depends if the area you hunt gets pressured much. Where I typically hunt there is no pressure so I always go as late as possible, more rut activity

[returnofsid]

 Lots of great advice. Please keep it coming.

[Browndawg]

Last year I hit the last week in eastern Oregon hard during the rut and it was one of the most fun I've had elk hunting. Lots of close encounters with love struck bulls. Never had a clear shot at one, but I could have literally slapped two different cows in the face. So this year I'm taking the last week off again.

[buglebrush]

NE Corner gets tons of pressure.  Pros and cons to both.  Chance at less pressure early.  Better chance at this activity late.  In the NE Corner I would go early.  Idaho I would go late.

[beav1980]

I would focus on the last week of the season.  The opener is great and all but the elk have already heard every call available by the opener.  So I would shoot for the last week due to rut activity.  It varies every year but I think 2nd week will be better

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[kodiak06]

I would worry about hunt location more than specific dates if I were in your shoes. According to your post, you've only seen 3 elk in 4yrs of hunting. As far as dates go, your options are early with less pressured elk or the later during the rut. Its just what you prefer. You could split the vaca up and do a few days of both.

[returnofsid]

I've seen more elk, a few large herds, but one was the day before season opener, one was spooked by 4 wheelers.

[YoteSlayer61]

Sounds to me like you should not go hunting and stay home and spend some time in the range

[returnofsid]

Sounds to me like you should not go hunting and stay home and spend some time in the range

My shooting accuracy is fine. My nerves are what got to me both times. I shoot almost every day, and will continue to do so.