No rut activity yet in Idaho pioneer unit? Or did I miss it?

[id450]

, I just returned from my first archery elk hunt in unit 50 Idaho . Of course on the drive up I envisioned rutting ,bugling elk and having opportunities to call or stalk in. I was hoping to get a chance at a cow. I packed in behind Mackay and did find 10 bulls. Which I thought was a victory in it self, and I'm thankful for. I could barley walk 5ft without running into fresh sign of some sort. But, they were not rutting or active in daylight at all. Most were by them self.I did see one group of 3. Another group of 3 had about 4 cows with them just on the east end of copper basin about 9500ft. So did I miss the rut? These animals were in there beds before sunlight or at dawn each morning and out close to dark each night. Of course the biologist told me wolfs were Not a issue there but according to a local rancher they had the elk shut down. Calling was not advised at all. Any thoughts or advice?These Bulls were acting like mule deer but bedding in areas impossible to glass them. Another thing that really made us scratch our heads was this was perfect mule deer habitat. 6 days of glassing and not a single mule deer was spotted? I did really enjoy my self, the country and watching elk behavior. I'm proud of the effort I put in and whish I could hunt again this September. If you have any insight on what's going on there, tactics or other advice it really appreciate it. I've been racking my brain with all the things I should have, could have done etc... Thanks .

 

[BuckSmasher]

Calling was not advised. Did you try it any?

 

[twsnow18]

You should have called, and called a lot. Go back if you can. I hunt 51 next to you in the late season, we see very very few mule deer in the Lost River and Lemhi ranges. Completely dominated by elk.

Silent setups work, if you can get within ear shot of those bedded bulls, a set of cow calls works. Do a wimpy sounding bugle, cow call quite a bit, wait 10 minutes. Do it again a total of 3 times, set the timer and make sure your there for 30 minutes. Listen for footsteps and breaking branches, be ready to shoot, in the pre rut we had a couple bulls come in dead silent this year.

 

[Jason Snyder]

The rut is determined by photoperiod and happens the same time every year. Cows have been coming into heat for a couple of weeks now.

 

[Scot E]

I watched two hot cows calling hardcore on Sept 7th. Bulls were going crazy. Most cows come into heat around the same time but there are always some spread throughout the whole month. Interestingly the height of the heat cycle is seldom the easiest time to kill a bull but that IS when most guys like to go hunt them.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Yup, they are at it. Lots of local elk taken but it is still plenty warm. I had a bull bugle at me this morning as I was taking pictures of it---go figure.

Randy

 

[Duramax_Diesel1]

Sounds like you needed to stay right where you were and throw everything in the book at em. It's a learning experience. Apply what you learned this year and add it to your knowledge base for your next elk encounter. In that area the first bugle I heard was on the 13th.

Snow- I disagree. There's a ton of deer In the lemhi range!

 

[mntnguide]

Ive been hunting in the Pioneer zone for the past week or so....They are definitely rutting plenty that i can see. Seen BIG bulls chasing cows every day, and had plenty of vocal action every hike ive taken. I grew up here so I have an idea on where i want to hunt, but still...ive gone to a few new places just to explore and literally run into elk no matter where i go. This time of year, you should never be without calls and thinking about using them. Just because a bull doesnt have cows, doesnt mean he wont come running to a call!

 

[Joe Schmo]

I'm on day 6. Seen a few bulls but nobody wants to talk to me...staying after it. Looking for mntnguide's truck so I can follow him to any place with a legal animal that I can put this $500 tag on!!

 

[id450]

Right on, great info guys. I'll for sure learned a ton. Hopefully so,e of you were successful.
Amy word on the November muzzle loader up there? I'd love to fill my tag . I'm not sure if the elk are held up in private range by then?