Which week to hunt?

[bcb10]

In the past my group would hunt the first week of Colorado archery season in a high pressure area and with fairly decent results approx 1 out 3 would kill a legal elk, however almost no bugling would be heard. My last time out I wanted hear some bugling and decided to go back to the same spot, but for the last week of the season. The elk had been pushed out of there, we found very little fresh sign and only heard a couple of bugles all week.

This year we have decided to research for new areas and hunt a new spot. Without knowing what the pressure will be like in any one spot we are leaning towards going the 2nd week of the season this year. Our hope is that with the season not starting until 8/30 this year that some bugling and rutting activity may start to fire up during the 2nd week and with beating the muzzleloaders in there and only one week of archery hunters we are thinking the elk would be less likely to be pushed out of the area yet.

For the best opportunity for us to see and hear elk in a new to us area in an OTC unit which week would you recommend? We will shoot the first legal elk that gives us a shot, but would love to get into some exciting vocal exchanges with some bulls.

[Triplebhunters]

Hunt them all I say. There is a lot to be said, read, etc on this topic. I've read more elk are taken prior to muzzy season and bigger ones after muzzy season. Ran into an old timer last year that usually hunts two weeks a year and was only able to hunt one last year (new girlfriend), and he chose the week of muzzy season. Tripped me out. And I helped him pack it out. Good luck deciding this one.

[Deafirishman]

We went Sept 5th -15th last season in Idaho. Took us a few days to locate them and when we did, we ran into them just about every day. The bulls were bugling everywhere. This year we are considering going out a little later this year hoping to run into a few full rutting bulls

[ElkNut1]

For what you desire out of your hunt it would be from the 15th & on towards the end of Sept. Personally if I had to choose one time period it would be the 3rd week for the possibility of some good rutting action. Getting away from the pressured areas is key though. Pick spots that most hunters shy away from, some are closer to roads than you would think if access is tough & some are in the 2-4 mile range. If trails are nearby & receive high use then it's a pretty big gamble the elk haven't been un-harrassed! Find those tough areas & 1/2 dozen of them so you have backups, some will pan out! If needed bugle at night or the first 1-1/2 hour before daylight to locate the groups, once they respond quit all calling!

ElkNut1

[Swede]

Everyone has their preference. Mine is for the first week. If I am not successful during the first 9 days, then my second choice is for the last week.