collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Rain effect on elk  (Read 4243 times)

Offline gee_unit360

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2012
  • Posts: 755
  • Location: Ridgefield, WA
Rain effect on elk
« on: September 16, 2019, 11:13:46 AM »
Looks like it’s going to be raining for the remainder of archery season where I hunt. What are some tendencies you guys see in elk activity during heavy rain. Are they active? Do they bunker down? Do they generally come out to feed after a big 2 or 3 day storm. Does it quiet down the bugle activity? What do you think? Does it effect rut activity in any way? Thanks in advance

Offline yakimanoob

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2016
  • Posts: 1102
  • Location: Naches
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #1 on: September 16, 2019, 11:35:28 AM »
One anecdote from a newbie rifle hunter that has never even tried to use a call:

I was out scouting for rifle this weekend and it rained all night and all morning.  There was a herd around me (literally) going absolutely crazy for about an hour starting at dawn.  I laid there listening to them yell at each other from all sides of me. It was a lovely way to wake up  :tup:

You're on your own turning that into practical hunting tips though  :chuckle:

Offline Piscatory_5

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 164
  • Location: Aberdeen, WA
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2019, 12:08:19 AM »
Only if a heavy storm, otherwise business as usual.

Offline NorseNW

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Sep 2015
  • Posts: 401
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2019, 07:33:14 AM »
I was debating this over archery season this year as well.  I reviewed my Elk 101 notes and found a section where I noted they said elk don't like getting wet anymore than we do so they will bed down until it passes.  It was then that I realized the Elk 101 stuff may be a bit focused on the Colorado area where it originates.  If bed on the wet side bedded down every time it rains I think they would have bed sores!

I would agree I think a big storm (biblical rain - like we had a couple days this season) would bed them down for a bit but in general I can't imagine they give a rats but about rain. 

Take this with a grain of salt from me I guess because I also didn't locate any elk this season.

Offline JakeLand

  • WA State Trappers Association
  • Trade Count: (+27)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 4105
  • Location: Wet side
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2019, 08:08:15 AM »
Rosies are like big blacktails ! Hunt them the same

Offline WSU

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 5380
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2019, 08:14:13 AM »
Last year in late season i saw no difference in driving rain and wind with gusts to 40+.

Offline STIKNSTRINGBOW

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2008
  • Posts: 4295
  • Location: Chehalis
    • https://www.facebook.com/stiknstring.bow
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #6 on: September 20, 2019, 08:50:20 AM »
What I have noticed is sudden changes in weather gets them moving, but when its constant then they ignore it.
When its dry, and starts to rain, or when it rains for days and clears up.
The change might get them moving.
Honestly, in my opinion, wind makes a bigger difference.
When everything's moving, and its noisy, they get pretty nervous.
When they cannot smell, see, or hear, they tend to be on their feet more.
Makes them easier to see :)
Otherwise they just do what they normally do..
And that is bed down. (They do it anyway)
An elk eats a lot, but once it is in its first stomach, they bed down and chew their cud.
They have hollow hair, they don't care about getting wet.

 
The mountains are calling and I must go."
- John Muir
"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."
- John Burroughs
NASP Certified Basic Archery Instructor
NASP Certified Basic Archery Instructor Trainer

Offline idaho guy

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 2798
  • Location: hayden
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #7 on: September 20, 2019, 09:25:50 AM »
Elk where I hunt could care less about a "normal" rain and will feed in open areas and do everything they normally would

Offline jbeaumont21

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2010
  • Posts: 865
  • Location: Vancouver
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #8 on: September 20, 2019, 09:31:50 AM »
My opinion the elk come out into the clear cuts when its blowing and raining.  At least the cows do.  I don't think they like being in the big timber where they can't see or hear anything coming so they tend to get out in the open. Also if they are cold and wet and burning energy then they have to eat more.   :twocents:

Offline slavenoid

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2017
  • Posts: 431
  • Location: Yacolt
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #9 on: September 20, 2019, 10:06:18 AM »
On the huge rain day I found a bull bedded in the wide open all by himself. I assume they don't feel safe in the thick stuff where they already can't see danger coming and notw they can't hear it either.

Offline Gentrys

  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Scout
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2014
  • Posts: 475
  • Location: Buckley
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2019, 10:07:17 PM »
Just checked my cameras on the East side. Elk stayed out later in the morning on the rainy days and came out earlier in the evenings. 

Offline Justdecent

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Mar 2018
  • Posts: 25
  • Location: SW Washington
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #11 on: September 27, 2019, 06:02:05 PM »
Elk 101 guys are out of Northern Idaho where it can get good rain just like the west side here. IMO rain has no effect on the rut. Elk are gonna rut regardless, if anything I think it can heat it up a bit.

Offline Bullkllr

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2007
  • Posts: 4752
  • Location: Graham
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2019, 06:12:04 PM »
Early archery, I'd about 100X rather hunt before/during/after rain than when it's steady hot and dry  :twocents:
"Making good people helpless will not make bad people harmless"

Offline Jonathan_S

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2012
  • Posts: 8964
  • Location: Medical Lake
  • Volleyfire Brigade, Cryder apologist
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2019, 06:15:07 PM »
Seems to get them fairly wet
Kindly do not attempt to cloud the issue with too many facts.

Offline vaz,,66

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 170
  • Location: King county
Re: Rain effect on elk
« Reply #14 on: September 28, 2019, 10:57:50 AM »
 One thing i notice that they talk much less during the rain, other then that seams stay the same.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

CVA optima V2 LR tapped hole for front sight by trophyhunt
[Today at 06:05:35 AM]


Let’s see your best Washington buck by HntnFsh
[Today at 05:33:38 AM]


Bearpaw Season - Spring 2024 by actionshooter
[Yesterday at 09:43:51 PM]


Walked a cougar down by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 08:31:53 PM]


Which 12” boat trailer tires? by timberhunter
[Yesterday at 08:22:18 PM]


Lowest power 22 round? by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 08:06:13 PM]


1x scopes vs open sights by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 07:29:35 PM]


Long Beach Clamming Tides by Encore 280
[Yesterday at 05:16:00 PM]


WTS Suppressors I Can Get by dreadi
[Yesterday at 03:30:33 PM]


SB 5444 signed by Inslee on 03/26 Takes Effect on 06/06/24 by Longfield1
[Yesterday at 03:27:51 PM]


Straight on by kentrek
[Yesterday at 03:04:53 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal