Post by: ORBowHunter on July 19, 2012, 10:19:29 PM
What do you think?
What dates do you think they'll be in full swing rut mode?
thanks!
Post by: MLBowhunting on July 19, 2012, 10:32:25 PM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on July 20, 2012, 02:57:16 AM
Cow elk enter into estrous based upon their maturity, calves usually early, as in mid to late August. (as they are 1 and 1/2 years old, and they are really not ready to breed.)
A few cows that have mature calves (moms of those young breeders) will be next, first estrous is is late august.
a cow is receptive for mating less than 24 hours. She won't be willing to mate again until her second estrus cycle arrives in >20 days. Cows can have up to four estrus cycles each season, but most cows become pregnant during the first or second cycle.
In Western Washington, (O.K. both sides) a cow usually gets bred during her second, this happens in mid to late September.
It is my honest opinion that you can/will call in MORE bulls during the first half of September, but the real "Rut" is during the last full moon of September, as almost all cows, except the ones that got bred in August, and even a few of them, will all come into estrous within a week, or two of each other.
You have seen the mayhem of a healthy herd during "PEAK RUT" , but honestly, In Washington, rarely will you see a "harem" of more than 15 cows. (during the rut) and in the area I hunt, there will be 3 bulls (average) in every group.
If I had to chose one week, it would be the one we get this year, Full moon fading to new, it will almost be daylight from the light of the moon as I get ahead of the next guy that parks at the gate, get out of your sleeping bag, and go listen to he elk, ..., because they have not been pestered by little green men yet.
And you know it is going to be dark at 8:00, with a couple mile walk out and the "round up" bugles echoing behind you while the Roosies swim out of the swamps and ferns that you were wading through all day...
I can hardly wait for September !!
Post by: buglin4bulls on July 20, 2012, 06:23:00 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on July 20, 2012, 07:08:43 AM
Post by: dreamingbig on July 20, 2012, 08:05:51 AM
We are continuing to petition to get our season back to Sep 8 to the 21st. A good compromise.
Post by: AKBowman on July 20, 2012, 08:11:34 AM
I am probably wrong, but here are my thoughts on the matter...
Cow elk enter into estrous based upon their maturity, calves usually early, as in mid to late August. (as they are 1 and 1/2 years old, and they are really not ready to breed.)
A few cows that have mature calves (moms of those young breeders) will be next, first estrous is is late august.
a cow is receptive for mating less than 24 hours. She won't be willing to mate again until her second estrus cycle arrives in >20 days. Cows can have up to four estrus cycles each season, but most cows become pregnant during the first or second cycle.
In Western Washington, (O.K. both sides) a cow usually gets bred during her second, this happens in mid to late September.
It is my honest opinion that you can/will call in MORE bulls during the first half of September, but the real "Rut" is during the last full moon of September, as almost all cows, except the ones that got bred in August, and even a few of them, will all come into estrous within a week, or two of each other.
You have seen the mayhem of a healthy herd during "PEAK RUT" , but honestly, In Washington, rarely will you see a "harem" of more than 15 cows. (during the rut) and in the area I hunt, there will be 3 bulls (average) in every group.
If I had to chose one week, it would be the one we get this year, Full moon fading to new, it will almost be daylight from the light of the moon as I get ahead of the next guy that parks at the gate, get out of your sleeping bag, and go listen to he elk, ..., because they have not been pestered by little green men yet.
And you know it is going to be dark at 8:00, with a couple mile walk out and the "round up" bugles echoing behind you while the Roosies swim out of the swamps and ferns that you were wading through all day...
I can hardly wait for September !!
You seem to have it figured out pretty well...now if
You could just call worth a damn!! :chuckle:
Just giving you crap, good luck this yr!
Post by: ORBowHunter on July 20, 2012, 08:14:24 AM
I am probably wrong, but here are my thoughts on the matter...
Cow elk enter into estrous based upon their maturity, calves usually early, as in mid to late August. (as they are 1 and 1/2 years old, and they are really not ready to breed.)
A few cows that have mature calves (moms of those young breeders) will be next, first estrous is is late august.
a cow is receptive for mating less than 24 hours. She won't be willing to mate again until her second estrus cycle arrives in >20 days. Cows can have up to four estrus cycles each season, but most cows become pregnant during the first or second cycle.
In Western Washington, (O.K. both sides) a cow usually gets bred during her second, this happens in mid to late September.
It is my honest opinion that you can/will call in MORE bulls during the first half of September, but the real "Rut" is during the last full moon of September, as almost all cows, except the ones that got bred in August, and even a few of them, will all come into estrous within a week, or two of each other.
You have seen the mayhem of a healthy herd during "PEAK RUT" , but honestly, In Washington, rarely will you see a "harem" of more than 15 cows. (during the rut) and in the area I hunt, there will be 3 bulls (average) in every group.
If I had to chose one week, it would be the one we get this year, Full moon fading to new, it will almost be daylight from the light of the moon as I get ahead of the next guy that parks at the gate, get out of your sleeping bag, and go listen to he elk, ..., because they have not been pestered by little green men yet.
And you know it is going to be dark at 8:00, with a couple mile walk out and the "round up" bugles echoing behind you while the Roosies swim out of the swamps and ferns that you were wading through all day...
I can hardly wait for September !!
:yeah: That's really helpful STIKNSTRINGBOW, thanks! I'm itching to get out there and get after those beautiful Rosies soon!
Post by: sirmissalot on July 20, 2012, 08:47:49 AM
Post by: dreamunelk on July 20, 2012, 01:51:06 PM
Post by: JLS on July 20, 2012, 01:59:14 PM
A cow elk will not come in to estrous and even if she does it is very likely to conceive until she is in the correct nutritional condition.
Huh? Ungulates have to be in pretty poor nutritional state for them to not come into estrus.
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on July 21, 2012, 12:18:20 AM
Last year we called in a bull the day before the season opened, I got video of it on my phone but not sure I know how to post a video... he was about 15 yards and pretty hot! We called in a bull the next day too but I screwed it up by not being drawn back, he ran when I drew. I am no elk calling expert thats for sure, but I've definitely had more luck earlier in the season than later, but our season has been pushed back quite a bit now.Last year I called in 9 bulls in 5 days, but kept all my arrows (except one I lost on a grouse)
I am no calling expert, but getting better, learn something new every year.
I might actually place in the top 20 in the calling contest though...