Post by: CavemantheHunter on May 03, 2012, 08:37:16 AM
Post by: atfulldraw on May 03, 2012, 08:54:20 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 03, 2012, 09:05:55 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 03, 2012, 09:07:12 AM
Post by: wayner on May 03, 2012, 09:10:23 AM
Id go first week couldn't stand not being there opening day.:yeah: tried waiting for the second week one time...drove me crazy
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 03, 2012, 09:12:41 AM
Post by: dreamingbig on May 03, 2012, 09:26:35 AM
Post by: Mudman on May 03, 2012, 09:38:38 AM
Post by: Broken Arrow on May 03, 2012, 09:45:12 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 03, 2012, 09:49:47 AM
Post by: JPhelps on May 03, 2012, 10:00:11 AM
The first week the bulls will not be harassed but still in the tail end of the pre-rut.
The second week will likely line up better with the rut but the majority of the bulls have already been hunted, called or killed.
Post by: CavemantheHunter on May 03, 2012, 10:01:08 AM
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on May 03, 2012, 10:18:14 AM
Post by: coachcw on May 03, 2012, 11:27:54 AM
Post by: BowBender87 on May 03, 2012, 11:50:45 AM
Post by: ELKBURGER on May 03, 2012, 12:01:23 PM
third week , way less preasure .:yeah: :chuckle:
Post by: iRem on May 03, 2012, 04:18:52 PM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 03, 2012, 06:01:25 PM
First week! Even though the early hunt starts on a Tuesday you get out on a Sunday to set up! Do a little scouting through Monday night, put the elk to bed and give them a wake up call....I am setting up during Labor Day weekend, and Tuesday is "game on !!" really surprised how many "weekend warriors" come out for the second week.
But really, in the last few years, weather has been more of a factor than other hunters :dunno:
But then, I still see few (hunters) more than a mile from their vehicles.
Post by: iRem on May 03, 2012, 08:33:53 PM
First week! Even though the early hunt starts on a Tuesday you get out on a Sunday to set up! Do a little scouting through Monday night, put the elk to bed and give them a wake up call....I am setting up during Labor Day weekend, and Tuesday is "game on !!" really surprised how many "weekend warriors" come out for the second week.
But really, in the last few years, weather has been more of a factor than other hunters :dunno:
But then, I still see few (hunters) more than a mile from their vehicles.
Isn't that the truth, weekend warriors and hunters that just don't want to put in the time. Every time I go out in the morning, I alway anticipate that I will not make I back to the rig before dark! Why? Because i am on the hunt, that means walking in, up and deep into the timber to chase the elk and not hunters! I AM SO READY!
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 05, 2012, 07:19:03 AM
:bdid:third week , way less preasure .:yeah: :chuckle:
Post by: MIKEXRAY on May 05, 2012, 08:31:44 AM
Post by: Button Nubbs on May 05, 2012, 11:06:53 AM
Post by: colockumelk on May 07, 2012, 06:33:10 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 07, 2012, 07:23:15 AM
Post by: dreamingbig on May 07, 2012, 07:50:13 AM
Post by: CavemantheHunter on May 07, 2012, 07:54:20 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 07, 2012, 08:02:39 AM
Post by: billdo5 on May 07, 2012, 09:55:55 PM
Post by: billdo5 on May 07, 2012, 10:12:54 PM
Post by: huntnnw on May 08, 2012, 12:35:22 AM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on May 08, 2012, 02:28:23 AM
I think early sept is prime for calling in bulls.. they are just starting to look for cows and come in..once they herd up with cows its very difficult to call them away.. sure it will give you that classic rut hunting with lots of bugling and such..but I have called bulls in alot easier in early SeptX2
Opening morning, scouted elk..
second week, look for where the elk you scouted all summer went.. :twocents:
If you can only hunt ONE DAY, the opener is it !!!
every other day is extra.
Post by: CavemantheHunter on May 08, 2012, 07:25:01 AM
2nd week... the bulls will be in the rut a little bit more than the first week... got a better chance... what unit do u plan on hunting in?
I'll be hunting in either the Lewis or the Coweeman. Know both of those areas well. As of now, I plan on spending my time scouting in the Lewis.
Post by: billdo5 on May 08, 2012, 08:45:14 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on May 08, 2012, 10:45:22 AM
:twocents: Personnally I could care less when the season is in September in terms of the rut, This season I dont think your going to see alot of changes in elk behaviour based on "rut" cycles... and aggree with the other responses in regards to tactics. But WEATHER would always be my deciding factor when taking time off. If you may want to hunt private timber co lands at all and they are looking to be OPEN.... I would prolly shoot for the first week. If its looking like they will CLOSE around the opener, unless you have a solid plan mapped out on public ground, ( which is a good idea, if possible :tup: ) I would wait. Hunt when you can, and pray for weather. If you get it, then its no different than hunting opening day elk and you havent wasted a week of time in spots that may not be as productive; or hunting the way you want to. And if you dont, you can always join the crowds on public land the second week. The bulls will have been educated following a long and most likley warm labor day weekend anyway. :chuckle: So waiting an extray four days wont hurt anything.
Post by: huntnnw on May 08, 2012, 10:30:12 PM
Post by: whackemstackem on May 08, 2012, 10:36:59 PM
Post by: WSU on May 09, 2012, 10:35:35 AM
if you know where elk are on the opener be there... after day 1 who knows where they will be.. if other hunters have pushed them then u will spend the season chasing
They don't move far in those units. I've chased the same herds for multiple days. Once they get in the reprod they don't go too far unless really pushed. Even then, not that far.
Post by: johnniel on May 10, 2012, 07:49:55 AM
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 10, 2012, 07:58:53 AM
if you know where elk are on the opener be there... after day 1 who knows where they will be.. if other hunters have pushed them then u will spend the season chasingthe trick is to know where the elk go once they're pushed.
Post by: mfswallace on May 10, 2012, 08:15:28 AM
third week , way less preasure .
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
C U out there
Post by: huntingalways on May 12, 2012, 07:04:14 AM
The 2 week (Sept 7-14) I like a little more, the bulls are starting to gather cows and are on the move more vocal and will come into lonely cow calls. the last 3 years remarkably I have shot elk on Sept 11. My Daughters first bull at age 13 was on Sept 12.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on May 12, 2012, 08:03:38 AM
Post by: billdo5 on May 17, 2012, 08:29:39 AM
Post by: kentrek on May 17, 2012, 10:19:50 AM
Montana is way different than Washington... U can't compare the twoyes you can,ive had simualr results here in sw wa on rosies...the only dif ive noticed is rocky mtn bulls have alitl more atitude(easyr to piss off) :tup: