Wetside rut

[N7XW]

What's the general consensus on modern season?  Can you still call them in?  Is the rut still going at that time?

[headshot5]

What's the general consensus on modern season?  Can you still call them in?  Is the rut still going at that time?

Bigger bulls are generally off by themselves... Raghorns are sometimes still with the herd.  bugles don't get you much, but cow calling can be productive when you get in close, or jump them. 

[trophyhunt]

I always cow call during rifle season, it helps.

[deerhunter_98520]

I've had 5 bulls fire off since Saturday and none were to aggressive....one 5x5 herd bull chased off a rag horn and was horning cows but his bugles were not aggressive enough and didn't care enough about my calls to come in closer than 120yds

Good info, thanks.  I suspect you and I are hunting the same areas.

Probably 

 got into 2 herds today no herd bulls, the first group of cows would only start talking if I threw out locator bugles and the second group I thought might have a bull in the timber and they didn't but ended up getting one Responce about 500 yds off and never said another peep after that ...they are either answering to locator bugles or cow calls but still not aggressive today

[fishnfur]

Lots of fresh rubs in 506 two days ago but otherwise very quiet.  Looked liked the bull/s had moved on a couple days ahead of me.  Private timberlands were still closed around me although it was pouring rain all morning.  That should change soon.

[N7XW]

I've had 5 bulls fire off since Saturday and none were to aggressive....one 5x5 herd bull chased off a rag horn and was horning cows but his bugles were not aggressive enough and didn't care enough about my calls to come in closer than 120yds

Good info, thanks.  I suspect you and I are hunting the same areas.

Probably 

 got into 2 herds today no herd bulls, the first group of cows would only start talking if I threw out locator bugles and the second group I thought might have a bull in the timber and they didn't but ended up getting one Responce about 500 yds off and never said another peep after that ...they are either answering to locator bugles or cow calls but still not aggressive today

That's pretty much what I've noticed too.  Found one herd of 26 last weekend with a spike and small 4 pt.  Watched them in a clearcut for 45 minutes and there wasn't any sign of the rut at all.  Just business as usual.  A few cow/calf calls but I think they were only from the stragglers back in the timber catching up with the main herd.  Guess its still a little early for our area.

[Matth]

I found several bulls last weekend that are pretty rutty, they should be ready any ol day now

[Little Fish]

I've called a herd in during rifle season acting like a lost calf. It was late in the afternoon and I knew the elk were nearby. When I called the lead cow led the whole herd too me. Unfortunately no bulls with the group.

[deerhunter_98520]

I've had 5 bulls fire off since Saturday and none were to aggressive....one 5x5 herd bull chased off a rag horn and was horning cows but his bugles were not aggressive enough and didn't care enough about my calls to come in closer than 120yds

Good info, thanks.  I suspect you and I are hunting the same areas.

Probably 

 got into 2 herds today no herd bulls, the first group of cows would only start talking if I threw out locator bugles and the second group I thought might have a bull in the timber and they didn't but ended up getting one Responce about 500 yds off and never said another peep after that ...they are either answering to locator bugles or cow calls but still not aggressive today

That's pretty much what I've noticed too.  Found one herd of 26 last weekend with a spike and small 4 pt.  Watched them in a clearcut for 45 minutes and there wasn't any sign of the rut at all.  Just business as usual.  A few cow/calf calls but I think they were only from the stragglers back in the timber catching up with the main herd.  Guess its still a little early for our area.

I hope the switch flips here in the next day or 2....would make it a little easier 

[N7XW]

I haven't bought an elk tag yet.  Really debating on whether to get an archery tag for the last weekend of the early season or wait until muzzleloader, or all the way until rifle 

[deerhunter_98520]

Found another herd this morning....no bulls and no talking at all

[Viking360]

Damn, you guys are getting me excited, I'm almost off work. Got the truck loaded, ready to head to elk camp for the rest of the season.

[N7XW]

We worked two separate groups of 10-25 last weekend, bulls were calling and the cows were active in both groups.  Pre dawn and last light were the most active times obviously but this bull was taken at 10:30 in the morning.  He answered up to a challenge and stomped around in a thicket for twenty minutes.

Damn nice bull. 

[N7XW]

Found another herd this morning....no bulls and no talking at all

Thanks for the update, appreciate it 

[2MANY]

That background doesn't look like western WA.

Just kidding!!!!!!!!