2nd week instead of 3rd week?

[JGH]

Due to some work-related issues, it may be better for me to take off the 2nd week of September instead of the 3rd week, which was my original plan (and still is -- for now).

So ... what about the 2nd week?

I can imagine it is probably the lowest hunter-density week of the month, so that's a "plus" ... but are there any other "positives"?

Or ... is the 3rd week so much better that as long as I still have a job to return to, I should take that week off?

(Obviously, I'm still weighing the ups and downs on both the work-end and the hunt-end ... just looking for input.)

[cnelk]

John
Do you know any other factors that could impact the 3rd week?
i.e. A deer season/ML season

I was talking to Lou last night and we came to the agreement that the 2nd week could be the best this year...

[Bullnuts]

2nd week should be good since Labor day falls during the 1st week. 3rd week is ML season, so there will be some kabooms to deal with, but if you're ok with that, it's a good week to be in the woods. 4th week seems to be the lowest density as far as hunters goes.

[Indian Summer]

I see nothing wrong with week 2. Could be a little warmer but heck it could be the other way around. I wouldn't worry about that at all.

[KMT]

The way I see it, Elk will be in the mountains all archery season. Any week that you can hunt is a good one. I've killed them throughout the season, including opening day.

[ElkNut1]

3rd week hands down for us regardless of the year! We possibly look for & hunt a lot differently than most folks but I like my odds from 3rd week on, bulls will die! (grin)

ElkNut1

[elkmtngear]

Anything can happen. We've had them singing like canaries by the end of the second week, and other Years they have been completely silent.

The elk will be there...you just have to tune into whatever game they are playing, and adjust accordingly.

That being said, I think we've killed most of our bulls in the 3rd week over the years.

[Buglemaster]

We debated going the 2nd, but decided on the 3rd. The muzzle loaders are the only concern, but shouldn't play too big a part. I'm confident the rut will be going stronger the 3rd week & hoping it will be a little cooler. It really doesn't matter, what ever week you choose, it will be better that work!

[JGH]

Thanks for the replies ... all taken into consideration. ML not an issue in WY.

Probably the biggest issue: My Kifaru sleeping bag doesn't get here until the 9th!

[cantgetdrawn]

This year the Colorado archery season lasts until Sept. 29th. So the last week in Sept is when I have decided to go, there will be 400 smoke pole hunters the 3rd week of Sept. at the peak of the rut in the unit I hunt. I am hoping the bulls start bugling when they leave.

I will get there on the 21st or 22nd depending on how my NM deer hunt goes. Then I will hike in as the muzzle loaders are heading out. Just hoping the elk are vocal and that this old man has learned enough to finally draw down on a legal bull.

Good Luck everyone

[twinkieman]

It obviously is different year to year, but if I were forced to make a choice, I would always hunt later.

[Huntography]

I'm filming all of Colorado archery elk but have a few days set aside to hunt the second week for myself.

Hoping the stars align for me.

Rudy

[Bullnuts]

We debated going the 2nd, but decided on the 3rd. The muzzle loaders are the only concern, but shouldn't play too big a part. I'm confident the rut will be going stronger the 3rd week & hoping it will be a little cooler. It really doesn't matter, what ever week you choose, it will be better that work!

No kidding! No cell phone, email, or neck tie. No matter what week you go it'll be a good one.

[twinkieman]

We debated going the 2nd, but decided on the 3rd. The muzzle loaders are the only concern, but shouldn't play too big a part. I'm confident the rut will be going stronger the 3rd week & hoping it will be a little cooler. It really doesn't matter, what ever week you choose, it will be better that work!

No kidding! No cell phone, email, or neck tie. No matter what week you go it'll be a good one.

Absolutely, any week spent elk hunting, is better then a week at work!