Early Rut?

[mark421]

Hey fellows, I just came across this forum and liked the layout. I signed up and would enjoy some conversation on several topics. I'm a Texan that would prefer to live in the mountains. I love hunting those big horned deer but I chose to elk hunt this year and add a point to my deer quota. I was in Colorado unit 85 day before opening of archery season. August 30th. Elk were bugling all night. I was surprised being so early. It was obvious they were getting heated up early this year and I could only stay one week. Was curious if anyone experienced this elsewhere in the state?

 

[littlebuf]

its not real unusual for elk to start bugling as early as mid august. in fact the pre rut can often times be the best hunting as the bulls aren't cow'd up yet. often times ill start bugling around the 15th just to test out how the elk are feeling and try and get a feel for how the season will start. i can usually always get an answer early. im in Washington but elk is elk