Post by: Kzoobronco51 on July 12, 2017, 11:29:50 AM
Post by: Squidward on July 12, 2017, 11:42:47 AM
Post by: elkboy on July 12, 2017, 11:56:28 AM
Good luck to you!
Mark
Post by: krapmit on July 12, 2017, 12:11:30 PM
Post by: White Pass Outfitters on July 12, 2017, 12:16:39 PM
Post by: buglebuster on July 12, 2017, 12:20:50 PM
Post by: Mfowl on July 12, 2017, 12:22:09 PM
Post by: cougforester on July 12, 2017, 12:23:14 PM
I find it to vary each year during ML season on the eastside. Some years they are on fire, other years the woods are silent as can be and sometimes in between. I would expect this ML season being later than years past they will be on the quiet side.
They were fired up where I was hunting last year for sure, and totally agree they will likely be shut up by opener this season.
Post by: WSU on July 12, 2017, 12:29:04 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on July 12, 2017, 12:39:51 PM
Im going to try the general muzzleloader season this year with a couple of friends and was wondering are the elk still talking or rutting generally in the southern part of the state. Is it worth trying the calling in the second week of October or have any of you had success in past years. Thanks for the input and good luck this year.
Elk talk year round but are obviously more vocal during the time of the rut. The rut is all about the cows being receptive (coming into their first, second, even third estrus cycle) until they "take". Most of the cows hit their primary estrus cycle around the third week in SEP and most of them conceive around that time frame. But those that do not, will to into a second even third estrus cycle that goes into the month of OCT. Cow in estrus translates to rutting activity with the bulls, and, further translates into elk being vocal (locating, challenging, advertising, etc.). So heck no, I would not leave my calls at home when hunting into the second even third week of OCT! The elk are all herded up by the point you'll be hunting so blind/cold calling may not reap you much... instead, locate the small herds and work into them very close before you make a peep. How to find them? Either visually/glassing or listen for them (or locate bugle them) after nightfall. Head there early the next morning and they'll be very close to where they were feeding at night before they hit the road to beddy bye. If there is just one cow that's exhibiting signs of estrus in the group, the bull(s) will be prone to be vocal and quite snarky when you get in close and challenge them. Nothing wrong with just a few quiet cow mews (just a few) given every two or three minutes either.... that will oftentimes bring one of the lovesick satellites into your lap. Pose a "threat" (whiny cow cows over your shoulder and then a loud scream/challenge directly at the herd) and that may very well dislodge the herd bull and bring him your way post haste! Good luck in your ML season mister!
Post by: Twispriver on July 12, 2017, 04:44:54 PM
1. The closer the opener is to Oct. 1 the more vocal the bulls are.
2. After the first morning of the season, with a hundred (or more) guys blowing bugles, you'll be lucky to hear a single elk bugle in the daylight for the rest of the season.
Post by: Kzoobronco51 on July 12, 2017, 06:25:12 PM
Post by: BUTTER on July 13, 2017, 05:32:24 AM
Post by: Elknut1 on July 13, 2017, 05:52:31 AM
Pressured elk are pressured elk whether in Sept or Oct. Doesn't matter the unit or state. If you hunt near the hoards of other hunters you will experience less elk communication! The opposite can be true for your time of the hunt! Hunt where others are not! Be prepared to Glass where possible & to call for location in non glassing areas. You are not necessarily trying to call elk to you, instead you are trying to find them, once you locate elk through calling shut down your calling & go over to them, now it's time to hunt them!
ElkNut/Paul
Post by: Kzoobronco51 on July 13, 2017, 07:51:17 AM
Post by: Fullabull on July 17, 2017, 10:06:29 PM
Post by: rtspring on July 17, 2017, 10:30:50 PM
Post by: coachcw on July 18, 2017, 06:35:31 AM
Post by: kellama2001 on July 18, 2017, 06:44:16 AM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on July 21, 2017, 09:14:48 AM
Thanks everyone!
Post by: Allen23 on July 21, 2017, 10:00:28 AM
Having said that, I would be care full on how much you're using it that time of year. I would use it as more of a compass or a locator than trying to get the elk to come to you
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on July 21, 2017, 11:33:00 AM
Post by: Pegasus on July 21, 2017, 12:12:09 PM
You might have some luck after most of the rutting has stopped by simulating a late cow-in-heat. The calls are still sold and there are plenty of knock-offs out there. Easy to use for us diaphragm incompetents you can also use them for other cow talk. I have had good luck with them. Many times the only thing that you will only hear is them coming through the brush to your call. Be patient. Give it a try. You have nothing to lose.
Post by: floatinghat on July 23, 2017, 07:13:05 AM
The area I hunt in SW after more than a couple of years the number of bugles heard that aren't followed within about 15 mins by a door slam from a distant landing or voices are few and far between. We bike in 6-10 miles a valley or two from people driving in so I don't think we are hunting overly educated elk.
Post by: scoutdog346 on July 24, 2017, 11:32:02 AM
Im going to try the general muzzleloader season this year with a couple of friends and was wondering are the elk still talking or rutting generally in the southern part of the state. I have archery hunted and has success calling or at least somewhat as Im still by far a novice. Is it worth trying the calling in the second week of October or have any of you had success in past years. Thanks for the input and good luck this year.in my experience in gmu 346 early October is the most vocal. I would say 3 Xs more vocal then in September but thats. as for the west side I'm planing on looking into that very question in the Fossil Creek area of GMU 506. I'll let u know.
Post by: WSU on July 24, 2017, 12:08:13 PM
Im going to try the general muzzleloader season this year with a couple of friends and was wondering are the elk still talking or rutting generally in the southern part of the state. I have archery hunted and has success calling or at least somewhat as Im still by far a novice. Is it worth trying the calling in the second week of October or have any of you had success in past years. Thanks for the input and good luck this year.in my experience in gmu 346 early October is the most vocal. I would say 3 Xs more vocal then in September but thats. as for the west side I'm planing on looking into that very question in the Fossil Creek area of GMU 506. I'll let u know.
They are very vocal in the Naches area in early October. Bulls were really responsive when my friend had a muzzy tag a few years ago. I've found the opposite to be true in western Wa.