If you could hunt two weeks??

[Toby]

I think I will be hunting Idaho for two weeks this fall. I like to call and run and gun, don't sit water or trails much.

What two week period do you recommend and why?

[FemoralArchery]

I don't know where you will be hunting, but I think the last two weeks are the best. More vocal elk.

[LckyTylr]

Last two weeks of september, assuming that you can hunt archery.

[Swede]

I know this will only work to confuse the matter, but I prefer the early season even for calling. You need to use different calls and tactics, but I believe elk are more vulnerable then. Instead of run and gun it is more call wait and gun. Of coarse if you can't sit still and be patient, then go for the later period.

[cnelk]

Know your area.

I have places when the first 2 weeks is when to hunt. The elk arent there in the latter part.
And vice versa.

[elkmtngear]

Know your area.

I have places when the first 2 weeks is when to hunt. The elk arent there in the latter part.
And vice versa.

Yes! There are areas I know, where elk will be blown out at the first hint of pressure. Early bird gets the worm there!

That being said, I always prefer the last two weeks in areas I know will hold elk at that time.

[Indian Summer]

Lots of factors to consider but in general assuming you're talking September... 15th to the 25th would be dead center of my hunt.

[Toby]

I should have mentioned that I bowhunt only, September in central idaho.

[mtnmutt]

I am a newbie hunter. I like the first 2 weeks before they are herded up. Herds have more eyes and I am not a stealthy hunter. Elk spread out in the forest means I have more chance of seeing one. They have come to my calls during opening week. My unit is very heavy pressure on weekends with so-so pressure during the week.

Muzzleloader week in the middle of CO archery, changes the game a bit. The elk are no longer in spots they were for the first 2 weeks which makes the hunting harder.

My OTC unit is mostly pine forest and not much opportunity for glassing. Plus, my hearing loss has made a locator bugle a non starter for me in the past because I can't hear them bugle. This year may be different since I regained hearing in my right ear.

I have had more close encounters with elk opening week than other weeks. The last 2 weeks would be different if I could locate them by glassing or a location bugle.

[JJ Overkill]

lets put it this way, my vacation runs from the 12th of sept to the 28th of sept. I like to hunt like you mentioned. I like to hunt the peak rut. if the bulls are talking on there own the fun really begins for me.

[ChukarNUT]

AHHHHHH!! such a tough question. Early season--unpressured elk, less hunters, vulnerable bulls, water and wallows.....or bugling, screaming, rut crazed later season elk??!!! Both have their advantages. IMO later season full rut is too much fun to pass up. If i had to only hunt 2 weeks it would be the last 2 of the season. With that said, this past season, first day of the archery season, it was 85 degrees and my son and i had a solid 5x5 screaming his head off chasing cows around----sooooooo who knows!! i have had alot of bulls come in silent to cold calling during the early season, probably more than any other part of the season! im blessed with a job that allows for time trades and ample vacation time and usually haver the entire archery season off!! yay me!!! lol

[Trophyhill]

8th to the 21st. I want to be there when they start talking and before the bulls are all cowed up and ease right into the rut with the elk.

[BrentLaBere]

I would have to say the start of the second week to the third of September. I like being the first to call to them and be on top of it when its that first day of rut crazed activity.