Archery Elk on the Westside (with poll)

[Bean Counter]

Just curious whether you think they're more vulnerable, responsive to calling, etc before the rut or after. why?

[Mudman]

Thats a good question!  I think there is too many variables to answer that.  I think other things such as pressure from hunters as well as how many other elk in area.  Are they used to being called?  What call are you using bugle cow call?  I think every situation will be different.  I have always got better results early when they havent been pressured.

[Bean Counter]

This is a low pressure area. Most of the distant neighbors don't hunt.

[Mudman]

Sweet! Early cow estrus calls.

[fishinmike]

Early archery, 1st one in there with no pressure.

Sweet! Early cow estrus calls.

[Fullabull]

The elk will still be in the late run during ML season so If I could hunt private land, I just might choose that with bow. Make sure you are good with your calls though... 

But, early season with little pressure on private land could be good also...

Glad I do not have your decision..... NOT!!!!!!

[bloodhound]

i had some property like that. the elk were there but as soon as the season started they left. so you take the risk they may not be there by the time ml season rolls around.

[Bean Counter]

This is low land (elk year round) and no pressure. A rifle is too easy so I want a challenge. So I hope people are basing their votes on the nature of elk and not how.other hunters will affect things.

 I was thinking to hunt during the muzzle loader season so I could hunt with the landowner (him a muzzy and me a bow). He doesnt do archery.  I want to have to crawl around and call the big one in. is the season for that in mid Sept or early Oct?

[bobcat]

Muzzleloader is Oct 6-12.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I would hunt Archery, and call for the landowner during ML 
13 days to hunt during rut/pre rut is better than 6 days to hunt after PEAK rut.

[Fullabull]

OK...no pressure... Early season archery starts very early this year. The bulls will not be in the rut but will start looking for cows and may come into calls to check out who you are (probably silently). There will be no screaming bulls looking to challenge or fight, just kind of getting ready for the show in late September.

ML season: Cows that were not bred during their first estrus cycle will again come into a second cycle 20 days or so after their first. This happens during the first couple weeks of October so there will still be Bulls looking for these cows and will be more likely to respond to calls which is your best way to locate them while hunting.

I have a multi season tag this year so if I do not score during early season, I will probably hunt with a bow during ML and see what it is like.

[Mudman]

If thats the case I would bow hunt september.   

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

OK...no pressure... Early season archery starts very early this year. The bulls will not be in the rut but will start looking for cows and may come into calls to check out who you are (probably silently). There will be no screaming bulls looking to challenge or fight, just kind of getting ready for the show in late September.

ML season: Cows that were not bred during their first estrus cycle will again come into a second cycle 20 days or so after their first. This happens during the first couple weeks of October so there will still be Bulls looking for these cows and will be more likely to respond to calls which is your best way to locate them while hunting.

I have a multi season tag this year so if I do not score during early season, I will probably hunt with a bow during ML and see what it is like.

In my opinion (experience) a cow has her first estrous cycle in late August, but only a few get bred, the Pre-rut begins, a few more cows come into estrous....
What most people think of as "The Rut" is actually "PEAK RUT" where the largest percentage of the cows are in estrous AT THE SAME TIME, but most of those are in their second cycle, and late born cows, and first year calves are also in, that is why it can get crazy !! imagine how calm you are when you only have one "mate" to chose from, and then the difference when there are dozens, that is why the last part of September is "The Peak Rut", there will still be unbred cows (in a healthy herd) when the cows come into their THIRD cycle in October, and it can drag out in areas with low Bull/cow ratios into November with a FOURTH estrous.
It can sometimes be easier to call in a bull during the early (or Pre) rut, because they are more willing to travel for a "little sumpin, sumpin", but when they have their harem, and 4-5 cows are either coming into, or are in estrous, why would he leave to go chase a peice of "strange" ?  I mean would you leave a sure thing, for a possible ? especially when you know if you leave, that A-hole that has been hanging around is gonna sneak on in and take your place ?
Even though the "peak rut" can be a blast, most bulls actually get harvested early in the rut, and cows during, as a lot of hunters do not have the patience to passa "sure thing" for a "possible" either... 

[Mudman]

 :yeah:well said stiknstring

[bucklucky]

I highly reccomend reading this article, its very imformative and from what I have seen and experianced  spot on.

http://www.elk-hunting-tips.net/elk-rut.html