Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: KillDeer on December 01, 2008, 11:47:59 PM
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I've been hunting the Naneum late season the past two weeks, and have run into elk that are still rutting. There have been big herd bulls running cows, still bugling,fighting, tons of rubbed tress, and I had a spike come screaming into our call. Is it the weather, or this normal? Are any of you guys running into this too? My buddy even said he has seen a bull that has already dropped one of his antlers...I dunno
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Cows go into estrus in cycles. If they were not bred on the first try they have a second. (If I understand correctly.) There could have been a cow or two in their next cycle that was not bred in their first cycle. :twocents: You are not the first I heard this year of elk behaving this way. My brother was out hunting and ran into two bulls fighting and running cows down in the coweman 2 weeks ago. :dunno: :dunno:
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Generally if the elk are pushed even a little, they won't make any noise during the second rut, but I've heard them on occasion into late November out here in Montana...
You must be in a good area where there isn't as much pressure...
I'd definitely keep the area quiet and look in all the little nooks and crannies in the area for where those guy's hole up when the rut subsides...
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Right place right time! Yes, elk have 4 cycles they go through every year, not just some years but every year! 1st is late Aug. secondly, 2nd,3rd week of Sept. thirdly, mid Oct. fourthly, mid to late Nov. They are not rutting hot & heavy everywhere but find where they are & you could be in some great action!
I also agree the more remote/unpressured the better your chances are of hearing them.
ElkNut1
