First week of Elk season.

[cmeier117]

Well my plans are changing a lot this year. I was going to hunt September 7th-15th for elk. Now it looks like I will have an interview at a new job on September 9th.(more pay and twice the vacation! ) So I will probably go hunting opening weekend Aug. 24th-Sep 1st. I really don't want to do that but it would be nice to use up my vacation before I give my 2 weeks notice. Anyone have luck in the first week ever?

 

[Ridge Ghost]

I have never started a hunt as early as you are looking at because Montana's season starts a little later. I have had success on September 1st though. My hunting partner shot a bull on Labor day one year that I called in for him, and we have been within bow range of elk on several other occasions in the same time frame.

It is a different game early season. Don't expect too much crazy bugling action, although it can still happen. Spend time sneaking around between bedding and feeding areas at first light. Also, bulls will be looking for cows at this time. Cow call for a few minutes, then sit tight and wait for something to come in. After 30 minutes or so, head to a new spot and try again.

 

[ut1031]

I would sit on water as much as possible. It is typically still very warm and they get thirsty!

 

[sk1]

if you're hunting a fairly undisturbed area in august, they should still be in their summer feeding patterns and are easier to glass in the morning and evening. then maybe pattern them and do a setup on where they are coming in/going to bed. once the pressure comes later in september they wait until dark to feed out. that was my experience last year anyways.

 

[smitho]

I usually like to hunt later as well but the best most exciting "bugling frenzy" I ever experienced was on the 29th of August. Had too many bulls bugling, didn't know which way to go! It was great, went back the next day and never heard a peep. That being said hunting wallows/water could be pretty good.

 

[lintond]

I'm going opening day for a few days to see if I can't pop my elk cherry. then I'll be back mid September if necessary.

 

[KHNC]

Me and a buddy of mine both killed elk on Sept 2 in Idaho one year. We had bulls bugling on the 1st as well. We were in N Idaho in the Selway-Bitterroot. They were rounding up cows pretty heavily. In that country i dont how anyone would ever see a bull without hearing bugles. Its very thick!!

 

[KMT]

4 or 5 years ago I was archery hunting for elk on opening weekend (labor day weekend). I got bummed out when I heard a rookie hunter bugling his ass off. Finally I got up and walked over to where the rookie was calling from. "He" turned out to be two descent sized bulls. I have taken three elk during the first weekend of the archery season and several during the first week. Any week that you can hunt is a good week.

 

[trophyhill]

I've noticed a lot of "lazy" bugles early the last couple years. Listen for them. They can be hard to pinpoint because they are very short but can give you an idea of where they likely bedded.

 

[elkmtngear]

I shot a cow one time at 7AM opening morning...like August 28th. She almost ran over me, at one point she was about 2 feet above me. I guess I just couldn't stand having a legal elk that close...so I plugged her!

I did a lot of filming that Year and following my buddy around, it was nice not to have to pack a bow around.