Evening rut strategies?

[Toby]

After reading through the "Mornings or Evenings" thread and looking at elkmtngears? About evening tactics during the rut, I thought I would start a new thread on this. This is a weakness in my hunting routine, I run and gun in the mornings, but when evening comes around my confidence level takes a dip.

So, what are some evening strategies you use during the rut?

[Trophyhill]

I love this topic as all the elk I've killed have been just before dark. The key for me is finding the bedding areas and lay in wait even if that means sitting all day. Several times through out the day bulls will give a lazy bugle and you have to really be listening for it. When I hear this I know I've found his bedding area. 5 o'clock and later. That seems to be the time I've been able to get them talking even if the elkwoods are quiet. I've used location bugles and or cow sounds to get them to give their position away. Once I hear them I move in quietly until I figure I am within 100-150 yards before my next sound. This is after they've got up and I've had a good solid response. If the elk are staying vocal then no need to call unless they just won't cooperate and come in. Then you just have read the elk themselves to determine what to do next.

[elkmtngear]

I've had some evening luck cruising the South facing slopes near creek bottoms, below known bedding areas.

Timing seems to be important as far as locating bulls, we've certainly had more luck doing this during peak rut. Staying low to the creek helps keep our scent down off the South slopes, and when the wind changes at dusk, we have been able to successfully move up and under bugling bulls and taken a few this way.

That being said, we have been busted many times by non-vocal bulls standing up on the South Slope silently watching. If there was a known funnel in those areas, I would prefer to ambush, but it seems the elk are spread out wide along the Slopes and do not stick to the same trails.

[Swede]

Another thing to consider is that, often the first thing the elk do when they leave their bedding area in the afternoon, is go to water. It can pay to watch for this especially when it is warm and dry.

[JohnFitzgerald]

I've never been one to hunt an area based on which way the slope is facing. Over the years I've discovered, elk are where you find them. Now, when you are trying to "locate" elk in an unkown area you should pay close attention to geographical optinions like slope placement. The question was rut strategies, so I'm assume the bulls are very vocal and you are a caller?

I locate bugle to find the elk. I've never been supprised to find a bull in this draw or that canyon. Wind direction, possible thermals, and terrian is how I approach my chase.

Hunt the bulls exactly like you would hunt them in the morning. But realize that it can get dark on you so instead of rushing it be willing to back out and try again in the morning. Usually, if you find them there in the evening they'll be there in the morning. Stay a little after dark and arrive a little before light to listen. By doing this you'll get a better idea of what going on. Sometimes you can get wrapped up in one bull that you don't see the entire picture.

Just my 2-cents.

[Swede]

Hunt the bulls exactly like you would hunt them in the morning.

Well! That is not what you told me. I understood you to say if I hear a bull in the PM, I should go to my stand and wait. "The bulls are too nervous by afternoon to be called."

[JohnFitzgerald]

Hunt the bulls exactly like you would hunt them in the morning.

Well! That is not what you told me. I understood you to say if I hear a bull in the PM, I should go to my stand and wait. "The bulls are too nervous by afternoon to be called."

If anything I told you to go get me another damn beer and I want a cold one this time!

Nervous elk?

Quick story, I found out a few days ago that ChuckarNUTS bull that he killed was hunted that morning by one of my buddies. The bull came into cows calls for them and spooked after seeing the hunter. That evening, it took a breeding sequence + for us to bring him in.

[Swede]

Is it amnesia or Alzheimer's we are dealing with here? Or maybe you were just trying to send me back to my stand so you could chase the bull? I would have brought you a cold Root Beer, but it got hot on the way back, and by the way where were you? Anyway I left the Root Beer in the wallow near my stand. I think the bull drank it as it was gone when I got back the next day.

[JohnFitzgerald]

Is it amnesia or Alzheimer's we are dealing with here? Or maybe you were just trying to send me back to my stand so you could chase the bull? I would have brought you a cold Root Beer, but it got hot on the way back, and by the way where were you? Anyway I left the Root Beer in the wallow near my stand. I think the bull drank it as it was gone when I got back the next day.

Was that you that left that there, thanks buddy! I got thirsty packing out all that meat.

[Swede]

John: You just reminded me of an incident that happened years ago. I got back to camp after dark and I was beat. I saw there was no light in camp and figured I was the first back. I wondered about it for a minute, as I expected my friend to get back first. He was hunting closest to camp. When I got out and walked in I saw a note was attached to the tent door. My friend had an elk down and wanted help. He told me enough, that I knew I could find him. I threw my pack in the truck and headed out. It was dark and I was tired. Oh well. Life is good. I really did not want dinner or to get to bed at any reasonable hour anyway.
When I finally hiked into where he was, he starts complaining of thirst. I had two cold bottles of tea or something similar in the pack. I handed him one and set the other down where I could get to it soon. He wanted to have the 6x6 he killed prepared for a full head mount, but this was his first rodeo. As I showed him how to prepare the head he watches attentively. Finally that was done, so I turn to MY tea and noticed it was gone. I asked if he saw if. Oh he spotted it right away and drank it too. The next 1/2 hour was not all pleasantries. Anyway life is good.