Choose Your Week

[Swede]

Different hunters prefer different times to hunt. Archery and some smoke pole hunters generally have all or parts of September to hunt. Rifle hunters generally get their time after that. You know what tag(s) you have and what the regulations permit. Considering everything, what one week is your favorite and why?

I prefer the first week of the archery season that begins in late August. The weather is usually warm and dry and the elk have not been disturbed as much as they will soon be. My second choice is the last week of our season September 18-25. At that time the bulls have gathered up their cows and are moving around more. I have just 28 days before my hunt starts.

[Mike_Parson]

last year i got to hunt the first 15 days of Sept and i had a blast learning so much. This year its switched on me and i will be hunting the last 12 days of the Sept hunt in CO. I cant wait to see what i will get into and learn this year!!!!

[saddlesore]

I hunt the muzzle loader season in September and the 2nd rifle seasons here in CO. Most local archers hunt the last week of the archery season in Sept

[Tigger]

the 16-23rd of Sept. In order to try to hit the buglefest.

[stringunner]

I too like the first week for undistirbed elk. And then the last week would be my second preference. I hunt mostly tree stands now though. When we were running and gunning primarily, we always wanted 3rd and 4th week.

[ishy]

I tend to lean towards second week. Catching the end of the pre-rut, before everything is herded up but still good bugling.

[WapitiTalk1]

Every phase of the rut has it's advantages but for me, it's the third week in SEP hands down. That's the week the majority of the cows come into estrus which makes for some pretty exciting times on the mountain!

[Elkhunttoo]

Anytime is a good time. If I have to pick I would shoot for 18th-23rd...I've called in a bull almost every opening day I've ever been able to hunt though so it's hard to pass up opening day

[twinkieman]

My favorite week would be the third week of September, we have to travel, and we are going for the last 17 days of the season, I've had more good action the third week, than any other. I've tried the first two weeks, the second and third week, this year a little bit of a split, 1/2 of the second week, then all of week three and four.

[WYO_ELK]

this is only my 3rd season elk hunting, so my opinion is limited. last year I stated in the woods for a week, early September. it was in the mid 80s, and very little elk activity. I went up a week later and it was like someone flipped a switch on the rut. shot my bull the first hour I was back in the woods on September 20th. Bulls bugling everywhere. we will be up there from the 19-24 this year.

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[bald9eagle]

Awesome. Going on my first ever hunt 14-22 +/- a few days. Hearing you guys talk about the bugling and knowing that I'm going to be camped out at 12k...well I'm getting (as the youngsters say) crunk.

[Kellum]

Are group is heading out for Wyoming on the 16th and will be hunting until the end of September. Should be good!

[Ryan Conkle]

Am going September 8th-23rd, with the actual hunting days' being September 9th-22nd, hopefully mother nature cooperates and the timing is right. Sounds like we will be leaving a little early for most of everybodys' preference.

[Brendan]

Are group is heading out for Wyoming on the 16th and will be hunting until the end of September. Should be good!

This is my schedule too for Wyoming this year - plus or minus a couple days.

The last two years I've done the middle two weeks of September in Montana for Archery - some great bugling one year, and much tougher with much less activity the next year.

[Lefty]

For me the first 1/2 of September. Fewer hunters and for me better elk interactions.
My few interactions during the last 1/2 of the September , while I see lots of elk there seems to be fewer close in opportunities

[Backyard]

I usually hit the opening week in Co., but the last few years have been so crowded at the trailhead at that time (mostly local plates, sorry Saddlesore)that I've decided to try it closer to bugling time this year and go during the muzzle season.

[sasquatch]

Are group is heading out for Wyoming on the 16th and will be hunting until the end of September. Should be good!

This is my schedule too for Wyoming this year - plus or minus a couple days.

The last two years I've done the middle two weeks of September in Montana for Archery - some great bugling one year, and much tougher with much less activity the next year.

Same schedule as well. should arrive around the 13th or 14th. Going solo or in a group? Ill be solo.

[Roj]

We are leaving one month from today for Montana with plans to start hunting the 3rd through the 10th. Earlier than last year because of the full moon. Still hoping to hear some bugling, at least at night, to get on them first thing in the morning.

[nrocchio]

Since I am local I get to hunt the entire Archery season. Last year the 2nd week was the most active for me, and I heard the same from my buddies who hunt in different units than I do. I think that was due to the weather though. We had a nice rain storm, and when the rain let up the hunting was great. I always enjoy opening day too. Mostly because it is fun to finally be out there after all of the planning and excitement leading up to the season.

[Brendan]

Are group is heading out for Wyoming on the 16th and will be hunting until the end of September. Should be good!

This is my schedule too for Wyoming this year - plus or minus a couple days.

The last two years I've done the middle two weeks of September in Montana for Archery - some great bugling one year, and much tougher with much less activity the next year.

Same schedule as well. should arrive around the 13th or 14th. Going solo or in a group? Ill be solo.

Solo here as well. Long drive from Boston, but I enjoy it.

[Dr. Rx]

Unfortunately.. I'm choosing the week of the fall equinox..with full moon...wish me luck

Kris

[swordtine]

Went with the first 8 days of archery season...when hunting 'higher' pressured units I really think early bird gets the worm as far as bulls that you have patterned go...But I also love being closer to the rut, it's just that having first un-pressured crack at the big boys outweighs being closer to cows coming into estrus for a couple of my spots..tough call if you can only get one week though!

[js80138]

Have Elk E/S and Deer E/S so I will be there Aug 27-31,Sept 3-4, 10-11,17-25. That's the plan but I would love to eliminate Sept altogether with good harvest.

[ElkNut1]

If I only had one week to elk hunt archery it would be hands down every year be Sept 15-22 -- No contest for me!

ElkNut1

[Mukbowhunt]

We are going Aug 30th to September 5th and September 15th to 25th. Fingers crossed that we chose well.


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[Wyhunter]

I am a local so I get to enjoy all parts of the season. I have a general bull tag that I plan to hunt most of September for, but I have 2 cow tags for the Black Hills to rifle hunt. Love to hunt around thanksgiving for those. Where is everyone going in Wyoming to hunt?

[Saguache]

I'm local so I will hunt every weekend until I tag out. My favorite is the first week, I like to hit em' early before they get educated!

1st post! found this forum awhile back, I really like the positive vibe you folks have going.

[WapitiTalk1]

I'm local so I will hunt every weekend until I tag out. My favorite is the first week, I like to hit em' early before they get educated!

1st post! found this forum awhile back, I really like the positive vibe you folks have going.

Welcome to the forum Saguache! Great to have you at our campfire.

[Swede]

Saguache, it is good to have you in camp here. Yup, we try to stay positive. It is easy to do here.