Another rut date thread...

[jrnorton4]

Hi all:
The tag drawing disappointment saga continues. We didn't draw our tags in Wyoming for deer or antelope. We even bought points to apply in an area that has never needed points, and this time it needed 2 to draw. I think I am snakebit on the points drawing systems.
So, we now have Montana General Elk and Deer Tags, and are looking at areas in SW Montana. Is there any way to have an accurate prediction of rutting activity there? We are planning to start our hunt around September 19, and stay about a week. Are we hitting it right, late or what in your experience? Thanks for any help!

[Wapiti]

I would love to say yes you are hitting the rut perfect but the truth of the matter is the elk rut when they rut !!

Three years ago our rut really started around Sept 17th
Two years ago it was Sept 24th
Last year it was Sept 11th

So you can see it is very different from year to year and also area to area. But you can relax as the rut will happen every year no matter if we are there or not.

All you can do is get out there and hunt hard and when you find the fresh sign you should slow right down and let the elk tell and show you what's happening. There really is no chart or sure way to say when and where the rut will happen but it will.

[CurlyTail]

In Colorado, where I hunt, you would be hitting the woods in a high probability time. I don't know how much geographic variation there really is, but I have no real life experience in that area. I say you will be fine.