September full moon and elk

[WapitiTalk1]

Funny you mention "weather" Vande; we got 8-10" of snow dumped on us, over the course of a few days, in ID last year around the third week in SEP.  Really was both a blessing and a curse both.... 

[vandeman17]

Funny you mention "weather" Vande; we got 8-10" of snow dumped on us, over the course of a few days, in ID last year around the third week in SEP.  Really was both a blessing and a curse both.... 

Ya I remember my first year up in Rimrock, had a crappy tent, crappy cot, crappy sleeping bag but thought I would be ok since we were up there right after labor day. Multiple mornings woke up to a heavy frost. Froze my butt off every night!

[Karl Blanchard]

I think the vast majority of the time the people talk about lack of success during a full moon is because they're back at camp by 10 in the morning. Elk are still elk and it's not like they sleep from sunup to sundown and then come out of a coma to rut. My plan of attack is always to hunt away from people so getting away from roads and trails and hunting the times that other people don't go and just keeping stepping all day.  That usually equates to not going the same week as everyone else which is always the third week in September. I'd rather hunt the first week of September when the woods are fairly empty and those bulls don't have cows yet for the most part and are establishing the pecking order between each other. That's when I've had the most luck getting elk to come in. 

That being said, I think September 25th to October 5th is the best.  If I could pic one slot to hunt elk that would be it.

[ctwiggs1]

So what you're saying is... The more you hunt, the higher your chances of seeing animals... Interesting...

[WapitiTalk1]

So what you're saying is... The more you hunt, the higher your chances of seeing animals... Interesting...

Hey, that is "not" public knowledge mister... keep it on the down low.  Folks should be back in camp daily by 1100 AM max, and, not head back into the woods until at least 330 PM after lunch and a nap (particularly in the areas I hunt).  Geesh   

[Dhoey07]

I'd hunt the first week of Sept, but I'm after the dumb elk, not the 350" monsters 

[Rainier10]

I think the vast majority of the time the people talk about lack of success during a full moon is because they're back at camp by 10 in the morning. Elk are still elk and it's not like they sleep from sunup to sundown and then come out of a coma to rut. My plan of attack is always to hunt away from people so getting away from roads and trails and hunting the times that other people don't go and just keeping stepping all day.  That usually equates to not going the same week as everyone else which is always the third week in September. I'd rather hunt the first week of September when the woods are fairly empty and those bulls don't have cows yet for the most part and are establishing the pecking order between each other. That's when I've had the most luck getting elk to come in. 

That being said, I think September 25th to October 5th is the best.  If I could pic one slot to hunt elk that would be it.

  During a full moon especially.  They are up all night and for just a short time in the morning, bed down for a few hours and then get back up midday.  I love hunting midday during a full moon.  And if I had to pick any week it would be the last few days of September and first few in October.

[WSU]

I hope oct 6 is good this year since that’s when my muzzy white river tag starts.

[jstone]

Stay out all day. I usually take a nap on the hill. Just remember keep your release on your arm if bow hunting. I woke up with elk looking at me once and wasn’t prepared. Comical

[Matth]

Mid day between the 15th and the 19th has always worked best for me. I have killed 8 bulls on the 17th.

[vandeman17]

Update: Our decision was made easier as one of the guy's actually can't go until the 20th or later so it looks like it will be the last week of september and into early october.

[Rainier10]

Update: Our decision was made easier as one of the guy's actually can't go until the 20th or later so it looks like it will be the last week of september and into early october.

Funny how things work out sometimes.  I think the timing is going to be perfect.  Good luck and don't burn yourself out on the morning hunt.  Hunt it a bit, slow down and take a break from 10-12 and then get after it a bit from 1230 -2, then a little break if your not hearing anything.

[WSU]

Update: Our decision was made easier as one of the guy's actually can't go until the 20th or later so it looks like it will be the last week of september and into early october.

Funny how things work out sometimes.  I think the timing is going to be perfect.  Good luck and don't burn yourself out on the morning hunt.  Hunt it a bit, slow down and take a break from 10-12 and then get after it a bit from 1230 -2, then a little break if your not hearing anything.

I've had my mid-day nap ruined a few times by a bull that won't shut up!

[vandeman17]

Update: Our decision was made easier as one of the guy's actually can't go until the 20th or later so it looks like it will be the last week of september and into early october.

Funny how things work out sometimes.  I think the timing is going to be perfect.  Good luck and don't burn yourself out on the morning hunt.  Hunt it a bit, slow down and take a break from 10-12 and then get after it a bit from 1230 -2, then a little break if your not hearing anything.

Bull I killed last season here in WA was first heard bugling a little before 2 and killed around 3. 

[2MANY]

A couple years ago a buddy and I had 3 bulls screaming at each other in a little box canyon.
We weren't aggressive and eventually they clammed up so we took a nap.
I woke up with a sore throat and my wife said my snoring was unbearable.
We never heard the elk bugle again until the next morning.

I believe I out bugled em.