Best Archery Elk Hunt Dates!

[ElkNut1]

Every year we see this question arise, actually it's been asked this year too! For those interested in what dates & why may be best for your style of archery elk you may want to consider a Podcast I just finished on this subject. There may be some info that can assist you in deciding the dates for your wants & needs! I also share the dates I like best & why no matter the State hunted, OTC or Draw hunts. No doubt we all look for different things that may suit our Strengths.

How does Your Strength help you decide on what dates suit you best!

For me, I'm all about Calling in Bulls so this effects my date choice somewhat. What's your best times? If uncertain you may want to check out this Podcast, it's # - 7 -- Hope it helps!
https://gotgametech.com/podcast-appearances/

ElkNut/Paul

 

[idahohikker]

This is great, Paul—proactively providing frequently-requested information.

I know the third week of September gets a lot of action. Calling is super fun and gets in the blood so most guys can’t resist it.

I’ve been wondering about this question: If a guy hunted the first week of September in a place that isn’t super busy and focused on ambush/spot and stalk, how comparable do you think the archery success rate would be compared to calling? That first week can always be a bugle fest at times as well.

I have a buddy who will be focused on the first week this year due to circumstances.

 

[cnelk]

I factor in other issues -


Has it been a dry summer?

Any logging or previous fires in the unit?

ML season # bull/cow tags issued

#Archery & ML deer tags issued

And of course all of the Back Rub Outdoors [BRO] followers who just love to go the last week of season.

 

[dreamingbig]

I factor in other issues -


Has it been a dry summer?

Any logging or previous fires in the unit?

ML season # bull/cow tags issued

#Archery & ML deer tags issued

And of course all of the Back Rub Outdoors [BRO] followers who just love to go the last week of season.

The first 4 variables are valid. Picking on Born and Raised is nit picky. I think there influence is net positive. They are not the bottom of hunting media.

That said I also consider MRI especially weather. I hate bowhunting in the rain. I avoid it when possible!


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[Tayler Wayne]

This is great, Paul—proactively providing frequently-requested information.

I know the third week of September gets a lot of action. Calling is super fun and gets in the blood so most guys can’t resist it.

I’ve been wondering about this question: If a guy hunted the first week of September in a place that isn’t super busy and focused on ambush/spot and stalk, how comparable do you think the archery success rate would be compared to calling? That first week can always be a bugle fest at times as well.

I have a buddy who will be focused on the first week this year due to circumstances.

You and your buddy will enjoy this podcast. We talk about my early season elk hunt last year during part of the episode, and Paul gives some great suggestions.


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[ElkNut1]

Idahohikker, depends on who's doing the calling! Some hunters make great elk sounds but fail at the communication level of sending the right message at the right time. This is very important especially early season when in most years elk are more on the quiet side. But yes calling as well as ambushing elk can serve a hunter well.

On the Podcast we talk about much of this & will most likely cover most of your thoughts!

As an archery elk hunter I do my best to focus my energies on things I can control & shrug off things I cannot & move on. There's times there's hunters in our spots or camping areas. You can bet there's times it's hot, cold, windy, fires, etc. I move on & keep a positive attitude. Those are things that can plague any of us at anytime especially if they happen close to elk season & all plans are already made. This is why it's important to have 6-10 areas chosen to elk hunt prior to your actual hunt. All is not lost if any of these bumps in the road occur, you just move on & stay positive as you focus on another pre-scouted area you did previously through your research. The Elk don't disappear! (grin)

We stay mobile & cover ground, we will find them!

ElkNut/Paul

 

[idahohikker]

Idahohikker, depends on who's doing the calling! Some hunters make great elk sounds but fail at the communication level of sending the right message at the right time. This is very important especially early season when in most years elk are more on the quiet side. But yes calling as well as ambushing elk can serve a hunter well.

On the Podcast we talk about much of this & will most likely cover most of your thoughts!

As an archery elk hunter I do my best to focus my energies on things I can control & shrug off things I cannot & move on. There's times there's hunters in our spots or camping areas. You can bet there's times it's hot, cold, windy, fires, etc. I move on & keep a positive attitude. Those are things that can plague any of us at anytime especially if they happen close to elk season & all plans are already made. This is why it's important to have 6-10 areas chosen to elk hunt prior to your actual hunt. All is not lost if any of these bumps in the road occur, you just move on & stay positive as you focus on another pre-scouted area you did previously through your research. The Elk don't disappear! (grin)

We stay mobile & cover ground, we will find them!

ElkNut/Paul

Love your attitude and heartily agree on just hitting your next spot on the list.

Purely in terms of how likely a guy would be in getting an elk on the ground, how would you rate ambush/spot and stalk early to a calling focused approach 2-4th week of September. I’d say all things considered maybe close to a dead heat with a slight edge to calling. Obviously no one knows exactly but you’re the man we revere around here for archery.

 

[elkguide]

Any time you can spend hunting elk is truly "QUALITY TIME" and time well spent.

I have had success calling/spot and stalking elk from the first of September through October. Different tactics and vocalizations but isn't that why we love elk hunting?!?!

For me "IF" I had to only be limited to one small window I have always had the most activity if the hunt included the 19th - the 21st of September. More elk vocalization and movement always seems to be happening around those three days and I don't have an explanation as to why. Just seems to happen.

 

[ElkNut1]

Elkguide, I agree 100% -- I refer to those very dates & why they are elk killing dates! Those dates are near or on the Fall Equinox! Those days just before & after are some of the best an Archery hunter can dream of!

Kyle, great question & thanks for the kind words! For myself I'll choose Calling everytime because of past track record. This is why everyone needs to look in the mirror & be honest with themselves as to what's their Strength! -- As for newer elk hunters or those not real confident in their calling or elk dialect then truth be told their odds are much better at an ambush over Calling or Spot & Stalk because of lacking experience in either. Choosing a location carefully & having the patience to SIT in one area 1 to 7 days straight takes real perseverance & the right attitude!

If they will sit areas that show fresh activity at water/wallows, trails leading to & from feeding & bedding, breeding areas, natural mineral licks, escape routes, etc. they will do very well all things considered! Of course nothing is a gimme, you still have to monitor winds, your scent, movement, falling asleep, boredom, etc. This style is not for everyone but can pay great dividends in punching a tag! -- I'd also add that as a newer elk hunter you may need to have realistic standards & consider the first legal animal until you get a few tags filled over a period of time! I'm referring to OTC Units here.
I'd also mention that the more days In A Row you can hunt the better your odds get!

ElkNut/Paul

 

[BAKPAKR]

I have usually found that the best elk archery hunting week was either the week before I hunted or the week after I head home. It is not uncommon for me to hear, “Hmm, this place was just crawling with bugling bulls last week, wonder what happened?” Or, “Wow, if you could only have stayed another week - it is like someone flipped a switch.”

 

[Skull10]

Following

 

[sneaky]

Every day that ends in Y when season is open, that's my strategy every year

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[Wrench]

I take them all. I like early curious bulls and I like late stupid rummy bulls.....and I like the satellite bulls giving me cover.

I just love the season.

 

[vandalpride]

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing the podcast!

 

[5MilesBack]

It can be a crapshoot at times. In 2013 during our 15" of monsoon rain the 2nd and 3rd weeks the hunting was phenominal. But apparently, almost everyone that had a tag that year waited until the last week to show up. That week it snowed at the beginning of the week and shut the elk up for a few days, and then the constant 30-40mph winds came through and didn't let up through the end of the season. Even if they had been bugling, you couldn't hear them over the wind.

You just never know what each week will bring in regards to the weather or hunter pressure. So I try to be out there throughout the season.

 

[Flatland Newbie]

following

 

[Mike098777]

Sept 10th

 

[idahohikker]

I listened to this podcast. Wow, great material. Paul is always fun, between his personality and story after story of relevant hunting stories. We’re lucky to have him in the industry. The Got Game Elk Nut series is as good as it gets for podcasts these days.

@Tayler Wayne you’re the man for your humility in authentically sharing your experiences good and bad and not being a host who dominates the conversation. Guys want to hear the star of the show and in many other hunting podcasts the host can’t stop butting in. Makes it hard to listen to.

 

[Tayler Wayne]

I listened to this podcast. Wow, great material. Paul is always fun, between his personality and story after story of relevant hunting stories. We’re lucky to have him in the industry. The Got Game Elk Nut series is as good as it gets for podcasts these days.

@Tayler Wayne you’re the man for your humility in authentically sharing your experiences good and bad and not being a host who dominates the conversation. Guys want to hear the star of the show and in many other hunting podcasts the host can’t stop butting in. Makes it hard to listen to.

Haha, thanks man. Glad you like it!


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