Early Season Archery Elk

[CavemantheHunter]

Hey y'all. This will be my first year in awhile switching back to archery elk. I can only take one week of vacation for my hunt and am trying to decide if I should take the first week of archery season off or the second. Based on the number of hunters out and the peak of the rut, which week would y'all suggest? I appreciate it.

[atfulldraw]

Are you hunting west side or east side? Also bulls or cows?

[D-Rock425]

Id go first week couldn't stand not being there opening day.

[Pathfinder101]

If you are hunting east side, I would wait until the 2nd week.  Wetside...I don't know...

[wayner]

Id go first week couldn't stand not being there opening day.

tried waiting for the second week one time...drove me crazy

[D-Rock425]

If I had a bull tag I go 2nd week with just a general season tag I'd go first week if I was hunting the eastside.

[dreamingbig]

Go the first week.

[Mudman]

I would go both weeks!!  No they both have advantages.  Less spooked first week to locate em etc.  Second week I think rut action would be stronger if you plan to call em.  Westside Im refering too. Imakadabullcrazy call has been very effective as well and simple to use if your new to calls. good luck.

[Broken Arrow]

We have had significant more sucess on the West side, the first week of archery with bulls. The later you have better rutting activity and it would seem this would be the opposite, but has not been the case the past 4/5 years. Actually we have killed more cows durring the later part. But I agree with an earlier post if there is ANY way you can make it the whole season, your going to increase your chances.

[pianoman9701]

The season starts on a Tuesday. It'd be a waste of three days taking the first week off. Take the second and throw in that extra Friday the 7th.

[JPhelps]

As stated already there are advantages and disadvantages to both weeks.

The first week the bulls will not be harassed but still in the tail end of the pre-rut.

The second week will likely line up better with the rut but the majority of the bulls have already been hunted, called or killed.

[CavemantheHunter]

Thanks for all of the help. I should clarify: Westside, general archery (unless I get a permit draw). If I could, I would definitely take the whole season off, but with my work, trying to even get one day off, is like pulling teeth.

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Second week

[coachcw]

third week , way less preasure .

[BowBender87]

1st week...get to em before anyone else does...and pick out ur bull the weekend before so you know right where you will be opening morning