Post by: Mr Mykiss on July 24, 2011, 07:36:31 AM
As a side note, or more of a theory, I'm thinking that bigger (giant) bulls may be easier to call in early in the season when they first start looking for cows and before they have a herem. I wouldn't plan on bugling too much...maybe small bugles and lots of cow calls.
I spent two days last year towards the end of the season chasing a very very large bull who had a lot of cows I never heard him utter a peep the whole time. On the other hand I've heard bugles from big bulls on opening day of the general season when they didn't have any cows.
Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Post by: jechicdr on July 24, 2011, 08:10:25 AM
Post by: Recurve-Elk on July 24, 2011, 08:17:16 AM
Post by: colockumelk on July 24, 2011, 10:10:37 AM
I would use a simple locator bugle. Call sporadically saying "hey is anyone out there I'm looking for some company" once you get a response move as quick as you can to get in close to him. Once you're in close. Some cow calls and light chuckles "aka a small herd scenario" should work pretty good. A decoy wil help out alot as well.
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on July 24, 2011, 10:58:28 AM
Yet, every year I hear Cows talking, Bulls bugling, squealing, grunting, chuckling, etc...
Sometimes it takes a few days to find them, but I always get into Elk that are talking.
If you went out and hung around a herd of Elk, NOW, you would hear them talking to each other, probably even hear a few bugles, so there really is no such thing as "too early"
You just need to understand why they talk, it has more to do with interaction among the herd than attempting to advertise their position.
They talk to each other, not to other elk in the distance.
You probably wont hear them unless you are close, they are mostly in "family groups" right now, bulls in Bachelor herds, cows with their calves, so communication is like you talking to your family, not yelling at the neighbors.
Most hunters try to categorize the stage of the rut and if it has started late or early and when they think it will end. This is most often blamed on weather and sometimes moon phase.
Weather, temperature, and moon phase have nothing to do with the start, end, or what stage the of the rut the elk are in. Cows determine when and where the rut takes place, a cow is receptive for mating less than 24 hours. Some cows start coming into heat in late August and will come into heat every from19 to 25 days until bred, up to 3 or 4 times, but most cows become pregnant during the first or second cycle.
It's my belief that weather, temperature, and moon light only effect what time of day the elk are most active. It's my opinion that a bull on on any day in September with 80 degree weather is wanting to breed with a cow every bit as much as bull that on the same date is in 40 degree weather. I do believe the bull in 80 degree temps will not be bugling his head off, chasing cows, and fighting other bulls. His survival instincts and other biological processes tell him to sit under a tree and stay cool. He will simply wait until temps cool (at night) and get on with the business of mating at that point. Same with the cows.
Yes you will have to change your tactics and from the hunters point of view it may appear that the rut is "slow", or "late", or what ever when the weather is warm or the moon is out but I believe the rut is still on as much as if the weather is cool. The elk are just active more at night when we have our heads on our pillows dreaming about chasing them. Point is if you wait until the weather cools for different hunting conditions.....I get that it makes sense because elk will be more active during hunting hours and more responsive to calls. But on the other hand I don't think weather, temps, and moon light have ANY affect on the TIMING of the rut or the intensity of it.
IMO they are rutting from end of August to end of October and the peak is in mid to late September period. Weather only dictates hunting conditions NOT rut stages.
The first week of September things are getting rolling, to explain by an example you might understand, lets put it in "Night Club" terms......
Early in the evening, people start showing up....(mid August)
As more show up, those eager to "hook up" might do so, but there are still only a few....(Late August)
Now there are more, the band is warming up and the party is starting to get going, (Early September)
The band is rocking, and everyone is dancing and having a good time, partners have been chosen, (mid to late September)
Now the band is playing their last set, those with partners are "busy", those without are getting desperate (late September, early October)
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my opinion on when it is "peak Rut", or when you hear the most buglingThen the club closes, everyone moves to the parking lot in a last minute attempt to (well you know) the "hangers on" and "after hours partiers" try to keep it going, but there are only a few left (mid October-November)
So for the first week of September, as colockumelk suggested, you dont try to be too aggressive, just act like you are an elk (or small herd), or use lost calf/cow, something that just says "here I am !, I am lonely !, where are you ?"
Get out of your sleeping bag, or whatever, and hit the woods early, get away from roads (I try to get up on ridges) and stay until dark.
I even take a walk at night sometimes, getting in as far as I can before daylight, (again I try to get to ridgeline) You would be amazed at how many times I hear them at night.
If you find Elk, or good Elk sign, give your set-ups AT LEAST 45 minutes, lots of times Elk will just wander your way, taking their time, if you are not there,..........
Just because you dont hear them, does not mean they dont hear you :twocents:
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on July 24, 2011, 01:20:37 PM
Post by: colockumelk on July 24, 2011, 01:32:34 PM
Post by: Recurve-Elk on July 24, 2011, 07:14:48 PM
Ill just say that I still think the rut is somewhat impeded due to environmental conditions. Sure they may have the chemicals flowing, but they can be constricted due to weather and such.
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on July 24, 2011, 08:12:25 PM
Post by: BowBender87 on July 25, 2011, 02:02:35 AM