Peak Rut in SW Colorado?

[gelton]

Obviously everyone is trying to time this perfectly and no one knows the answer for certain, but if one were planning a hunt during the month of September would you choose the 3rd or 4th week? Also, is moon cycle important? I noticed that the 4th week of September there is little to no moon while the 1st half of September is a full moon.

I am tentatively heading out Sept 14-22 which I think will be prime time but I also like the week after with no moon. Just looking for a bit of input as this is my first archery elk hunt.

 

[krueger]

I would not put too much stock in the moon cycle or trying to hit the peak rut perfectly. Location is way way way more important than either of those things in my opinion. Sept 14-22 is a great time to be in elk country. The best use of your efforts would be figuring out a plan A, B, C, D and adjusting according when you start hunting.

 

[squeekieslayer]

I used to try and worry about the "peak of the rut" and the "moon phase" as trying to time my hunting the best. Over the years, i have not been able to see any rhyme or reason as to when they peak or go quiet. Some places will be going nuts one day and nothing the next... sometimes I drive 50 miles and they are going crazy there when they weren't where I was at.

You are in the mountains at a good time... work your ass off and you will find elk activity that time of year no matter what. Will it be the "peak?" Who knows. Fact of the matter is that it doesn't matter, it is when you will be there whether its the peak or not so you have to make the best of it. Have lots of options and try new things, cover ground and make the use of the time you have.

If everyone came on and said "the peak will be on sep 5th, you wouldn't able to do anything about it, so make the best of what you have.

I have found that no matter where I am, being the FIRST person to call at the elk is way more important that the phase they are in. If i find a pocket on the first week of oct that no one has been to, it is better than the "peak" in a place with 30 other hunters.

My guess is that more big elk are killed in general areas on the first week of the hunt vs any other phase of the rut simply for that reason.

Joe