Hunting elk in October

[elkhuntfever]

As I read the tactics on calling, I am assuming that this is used for September and the rut. Do to me being limited to 1st rifle in Colorado, what would your tactics be in that situation?

[WapitiTalk1]

What are the dates for the 1st rifle in CO?

[elkhuntfever]

Last year it was Oct. 10 thru the 14th, this year it starts on the 15th I believe.

[elkhunter11]

Where I hunt in CO, the elk tend to rut late and continue to talk in early October. This is not a guarantee as each year is different due to weather/moon phases/etc. But the past couple of years, this has been the case.

[WapitiTalk1]

Yes sir, the elk will certainly chatter at an escalated level, oftentimes well into October, but, they actually vocalize all year, just on a different level than during the actual rut. Contrary to some beliefs, the elk rut actually occurs during the same time/period each year. It really starts when the first cows start coming into estrus in very late AUG/early SEP and continues through when the last cow(s) in the area come into their later cycle which can be their second or even third time (they do this until they "take"). As long as their is a hot cow in the mix, area bulls will continue to be quite vocal and exhibit rut type behavior. This said, by the middle of OCT, most of the cows have "taken" and the peak of the rut (normally considered the thirdish week of SEP as that is when the majority of the cows are in their primary estrus cycle) has since past and many hunter calling tactics that worked well during the actual rut are perhaps, not quite as effective. All said, I wouldn't leave my calling tactics at home even if stepping into the elk woods early to mid October. I'd recommend the proverbial glassing from high places, listening after dark for elk sounding off (they'll be very close to that spot come morning), perhaps use locator bugles sparingly, working the edges of the dark timber and funnel/escape routes from feeding areas, and.... if you find yourself close to a group of elk that you suspect contains a hot cow, play on the bull(s) mind set to protect/hoard, and tell him in no uncertain terms you'll be dating that cow! A lot of your scenarios that time of year will certainly be situational. I'm sure some folks with CO experience will chime in with a few tidbits for you ref mid-OCT hunting in the Centennial State. Good luck!

[cohunter]

The one event that most pushed me toward archery hunting was an experience during that first rifle season in CO. One year when covered up in invisible elk in some thick stuff, I decided to blow a quick cow call (the first time I'd ever used one in the woods, actually). The wood erupted with bugling bulls. I could hear one on each side of me and then within 2 minutes a third really nice bull crept in silently. He caught my wind or some motion and spooked. 5 minutes later, the other elk went quiet and in an attempt to re-locate them, I made another cow call and they started screaming again. Not a full minute later, that big bull crept in AGAIN! In three days of hunting I had several opportunities at nice bulls at close range with a cheap external reed cow call and virtually zero calling experience - the only problem? I had a cow tag. But the whole hunt was one of my favorites - three days of rut-crazed madness. I've not experienced an October season like that since (nor during archery season). But it is true - SOMETIMES they are rutting pretty well that first season in CO.

[elkhuntfever]

/\ /\ /\ /\ '\ Well, you certainly have my blood pumpin again. Just printed off the calling card, will get that to the others in my group and start practicing my calling.

[Swede]

Working in the national forest, I have heard elk bugle late into October. Once I took a piece of surveyors tape/ribbon, made a reed of it and got the bull to responding. I would bugle to locate a bull then go from there.