Bow Hunting Dates

[MidMoElkNut]

When does everyone prefer to bowhunt, early or later September and why? I have only hunted early bow season in Colorado so I don't know much about the last two weeks.... what are the pros and cons?
Thanks

[Swede]

I prefer the earlier time. The advantages are warmer temperatures and the elk have not been hunted much at that time. Also the bulls have not cowed up. You may even have a few bull bunches around. The downside is that in the first week everyone else is out. If you want to call, the bulls are not as vocal in the early season.

[foxvalley]

Early is good as swede mentioned,also if it is hot and dry,wallows will still be used more frequently than later.Getting the first crack at an elk that has no idea that the season has opened,and has no contact with humans/hunters,puts all the odds in your favor.
If you rely on bugling to find and hunt your elk,the later is much better.Seems like the last week in sept. there is always extremly fustrated satalites,that "ain't gettin none"but can smell it everywhere,and they let there fustration be known,not to mention herd bulls threatening the satalites.

[Charina]

Not much choice here in UT for OTC. The season opens next Sat, the 15th, and runs through Sep 4th or 11th depending on the unit. There are very few areas that OTC tags can be used through the remainder of Sep. So early season it is! Hunt it early, or miss out.

[MidMoElkNut]

Thanks for the info guys..... how is the hunting pressure early vs. Later archery season? Also I have experienced that in the early half of the season like before muzzle loader season they are not very vocal midday, is this the same later in September(like the last couple weeks of archery) or are they vocal most of the day?

[Pop-r]

There will be elk bugling their heads off everyday of the season somewhere. Find where. There are so many variables to pressure & will they or won't they bugle midday if at all. Sometimes there is no "reason" things are as good or as bad as they are. They just are. You just gotta go hunting & if God wants to bless you then there you go.

[_rj_]

Elk are bugling now around our house. It's at 3am, but they're bugling. Also I hunt everyday until I get one. Perk of self employment.