Prime rut, bust or must?

[Airborne1]

So we all chase that September rut, breath, sleep, eat, train and live for it. I was wondering what you guys feel about the peak rut when the bulls are completely focused on mating.
Do you feel pre rut trump's peak rut? Or do you prefer post rut? Do you feel the bulls are harder to get close to? Just wondering what everyone thinks gives them the best chases for success.
Chime in with any other questions or thoughts you guy think may help carry the conversation.

 

[Jbehredt]

Asking me to pick a favorite part of the season is like picking a favorite child. We all know it’s the third week of September but I can’t say that in front of the other weeks.

 

[backcountryshaffer]

I wanna do it all! It's hard to beat being in the field during the peak of the rut but it's not always the easiest time to get your tag filled. I usually do archery and usually end up hunting some during the rut. But I try and capitalize on the first week before they get herded up. I also always try and have a tag for first or second rifle season for either antlerless or bull.

 

[CX5Ranch]

I really like opening week, except it's always so hot. If the weather is cool, opening week is awesome.

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[Airborne1]

I've never got to hunt opening week but have thought about it. I typically have been the second and third week. This year I will make it for the third week and feel like it's a solid bet. New ground to cover and looking forward to it.

 

[cnelk]

Actually, peak rut in many places is after archery season is over.
For instance, the 'Quiet Time' in Colorado [2 weeks after archery and before 1st rifle] is probably peak rut.

 

[trophyhill]

I love hunting all phases of the rut. Let's not forget that the rutting begins in August after velvet is stripped and the first cows come into heat. so I'm assuming the op wasn't meaning pre rut in the true sense. But rather less vocal during that phase of the rut. Post rut would indicate no more breeding is taking place. I've seen/heard elk screaming the 2nd week of October and you'd swear it was peak rut. After they had been screaming in mid to late September and you'd swear that was peak rut.

 

[5MilesBack]

It doesn't matter what the timing is.........just so I can get them going. If I can get them going, then I have a chance. I like big bulls with attitude. I've had them just about run me over opening week, and I've had them just about run me over the last week, and everything in between. So I think it's less about timing, and more about finding the right bull.

 

[ElkNut1]

I'll take Peak Breeding time anyday! Sure a Cow will come in here & there but have fun finding that needle in the haystack early on! (grin) I want the haystack with countless needles in it, it gives me way better odds! Those needles are best found from Sept. 10th to end of Sept. in western states. Cows will still come into estrus after that but no where near Peak Breeding form!


Give me bulls cowed up & they will fall.


These bulls all had their own cows, some bigger than others but that's the way it rolls on heavily hunted OTC units! These are from last years elk hunts. We had a couple more but they were satellites!

ElkNut/Paul

 

[finnbarr145]

Opening week is always awesome.

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[Airborne1]

Paul them are some dandy bulls!! No matter which week I'm out I'm happy to have the chance at elk. I will be back again this year from Sept 15-28 and feel like its gonna happen this year. After 3 years of tag soup and missed opportunity, it's time.

 

[Ross]

Give me a bull that wants to talk and I am happy can be opening day or the last day but if I am to pick one window it is around the 20th in most years

 

[Coveyleader]

I'm with Paul on this one. I've hunted and killed my share of elk. Elk hunting prior to them going bananas is boring. Sure, you can treestand, ambush, etc, but until you'v experienced the beehive effect of a hot cow, bulls going crazy bull after bull screaming, sorry boys, you can have the treestand even if it means I don't kill an elk. There is nothing better than dropping down, or climbing up to the sound of a herd bull sounding like a dragon trying to control the herd while you have all the satellite bulls trying to get their share. I'll take that walk out empty handed over a treestand anyday.

Late! last two weeks for me.

 

[rustneversleeps]

I hunt every week in Sept. I do like letting the opening weekend crowd get their pent up excitement out before hunting my closer spots, but the elk don't dictate when I hunt. Elk hunting is never boring if you know where the elk are lol.