??? about elk ruttin and bugling

[bearhunter59]

I was reading that cows may go into rut more than once if they don't get breed during the first rut.  That got me to wondering that if they go into rut two or three times, then wouldn't they possibly be in rut during the early part of rifle season???  And if they go into rut more than once, then would the bulls still be bugling and responding to calling/bugling?

I'm strictly a rifle hunter, and in all the years that I've gunhunted for elk, I've never heard a bull bugle at anytime just prior to, or during rifle season.

Just wondering....
 

[Red Dawg]

I have heard them bugle in the early stages of the typical modern big bull season but as a rule i think the second cycle ends during the first 2 weeks of october. But the state keeps moving up elk season so the likelihood of this happening keeps getting better.

[BrushChimp]

The bulls likely won't "rut" as hard. However, the cows will estrous until they become bred. That doesn't mean you're going to hear bugles in rifle season though I have heard it before. I've also heard tom turkeys gobble in December. Don't mean nothing really. Just a vocalization they use.

[bobcat]

I wouldn't say cows go into the rut. Just never thought of it that way. They go into heat, the bulls are in the rut.    Anyway, yes cows will go into heat, I think every 28 days until they are bred. And bulls will be more than happy to breed them anytime that happens, even if it's in December. I heard a bull bugle in late November one time, and I've read that they do bugle year 'round.

[archery288]

First off, the older and more mature cows will go into heat earlier in the season.  ie. late august early september.  This being the case, the bulls will get goin and start to breed them first.  Then the majority of the cows will come into cycle during mid september to the end of september and the mature cows that got missed will come into heat again around the beginning to middle of October.  I have never heard a bull bugle during rifle season although I mainly archery hunt which probably has something to do with it, but the cows that haven't been bread will come back into cycle until they are bread as stated above. 

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Rifle hunted 2 years ago opening morning of the rifle elk season i had a bull bugle at me and my brother in law. We disturbed him with his cows, it was a 5 point still with a herd the first week of November.

[Opportunist]

Hunting in Eastern Oregon in 06 1st rifle season Oct. 25, we found a herd of about 100 elk and the bulls were into full rut. For over an hour it was a constant screaming match between the 20-30 bulls in the herd. Must have been a couple of cows in the herd in estrus. My partner shot a 5x6 and my dad and I caught up to the herd where I missed a big 6, caught up to them again I shot a nice 6 and my dad missed a 5, through all of the shooting and chasing and killing, the bulls never shut up!

It's all about the women, all males will do whatever we can to get some, even if we know it could get us killed.



This is the bull I shot on the hunt. He was glunking and gurgling when I shot him.

[Elknut1]

 archery288, is dead-on! Too, there are 4 cycles of estrus everyear, the peak estrus cycle is Sept.15-25 you can just about guarantee this within a day or 2 everyear! The last cycle is in Nov. the first in late Aug. they can cycle every 21 days until covered & taken!

  Right place right time when out of peak estrus times as it's not happening everywhere like peak estrus!
  Bulls bugle year around every month of the year. Cows will bugle in June-Aug. & really cut off in early Sept.

  I like Opportunist last thought! (grin)
  ElkNut1

[BLUEBULLS]

One thing i've learned is that the bulls in my area will bugle real strong until people hit the woods, which is usually rifle deer season and even then if you get away from people they'll keep going well into November.

[bearhunter59]

good info to know...thanks, guys...

So now it brings me to my next question on this...and that is, if the bulls bugle all year round, and cows could be in heat in November, then why is it, the majority of the guys that I've discussed this with, think that it's stupid to try and use a cow call or bugle in a bull during rifle season???  I would think that a cow call or a bugle would at least help locate some elk during this timeframe.  But the majority of the rifle hunters I see, never have an elk call or bugle with them, and scoff and snicker at anyone carrying one...but then again, these are the same individuals that have come to call me "Lucky *censored*" because I have bagged 5 elk in the last 7 years, and they have mangaged two elk for the 8-man group in that same timeframe...

[boneaddict]

I have heard many and have seen many bulls still rutting in November.  They are also still rutting when the big bull permit guys are out or get their chance the last week of October.  Heavy pressured areas shut them up though, so you are less likely to sense it.  The animals also tend to be moved around alot.  I tend to be with camera in hand chasing rutting muleys, and if I happen to be in elk country, many times run into rutting bulls. 

[hogsniper]

We hunted New Mexico 2 years ago and the bulls were rutting like crazy and it was Oct. 20-25th.   Bulls bugling and fighting all the way til we left...Very very low pressure but it happens....

[archery288]

As I said above, I mainly archery hunt so I am never out there during rifle season.  But, I have heard stories that the less pressured the area the better the odd's are of having something like this happen to you that late in the year. 

[MountainWalk]

in montana, i have heard bulls still sounding off in the second week of rifle. we have wolves, and since they have taken up res, the bulls dont bugle as much,, but they still do it........i agree.. bulls bugle all year round

[Elknut1]

 bearhunter59, in many cases guys kinda fear using bugles & cow calls in fear of being mistaken for an elk by over ambitious hunters! (grin) I've hunted many rifle seasons in various areas & have called in many bulls in Oct. or just got them to sound off. All I care about is location at this time! I generally call an hour or so before light when possible or up to one hour after daylight. Same goes with evening! In some cases I do more than just a location type bugle to get something to respond. There's times when you must create excitement!!! I've done this with some high pitched very long & whiny & pitchy cow sounds then throw out a huge big bull lip bawl type scream, a good long one. I do this in areas where sound will carry well. I have had many responses to this over the years, again I just want a location when there's a rifle in tow! (grin)

  A couple years back it was Oct 28th & about an hour after daylight. I was in what I call an elky area, I hadn't heard or seen anything but decided that, that morning I was going to do some rattling for bulls. I found a decent spot & started off with some sparring type sounds & light stomping, within 2 minutes I was hitting them pretty good & thrashing around some along with some guttural grunts. All of a sudden I could hear thundering hooves coming at me. Thing was, there was a good patch of alders between me & the sounds & whatever it was had stopped behind them. I moved positions quickly & there stood a 6-point with 2 cows staring at me at 40yds. I dropped him there! You just never know??? Always be prepared when elk hunting so you can be versatile & adapt to whatever you feel needs to happen. Have calls & a bugle with you, they will do no good at camp! (grin)

  If you're wondering what these grunts & screams & all sound like go to our Site & click on Video Clips, there you'll seem them demonstrated!  www.elknut.com

  ElkNut1