Which week in archery season???

[Sticknstringer]

OK so I'm wondering which week has been your best week for archery elk hunting on public. We're looking at early season around the first week of September. Wondering what everyone's past experience has been best in which week.

[Swede]

I have had the most success by far during the first week of the season. I am mostly tree stand hunting so take that into consideration, but I find they are easier to call during the first week of the season. Mostly that is because some elk are still on the public land in the area.

[WapitiTalk1]

Ahh, the age old question. I see this question all the time on ours and various hunting forums. It usually goes something like "when is the best week in September to hunt archery elk to maximize my success/opportunities in (insert mountain elk state here)"? I certainly understand hunters wanting to maximize their valuable time off from work and days spent in the elk woods with stick and string. What's the answer? It depends as each phase of the elk rut offers various and unique opportunities. It seems lone bull encounters are more prevalent in early September as the boys are cruising for the girls (herding up activity). Testosterone levels have risen in the bulls and they gravitate towards the gals (suddenly, those ladies don't seem all that bad and just perhaps, they are worth hanging out with). A few cows may come into their estrus cycle (early) during this period. This can certainly be a very exciting time to be out with your buddy, attempting to call in bulls. As the second week rolls around, herding activity is really somewhat settling down as the "initial" herd bulls have established their groups, love sick juvenile bulls are engaged in covert cow stealing operations from established herds, and challenging/advertising bugles ring throughout the drainages. Again, a few more cows are coming into their estrus cycle (and as we all know, the rut is all about the ladies). The third week is when the majority of the cows come into their estrus cycle; this means "hot cows" which can launch serious competitive encounters with the boys. It is oftentimes during the third week that I see some of the big honkers come in and kick the former herd bulls to the curb; the former herd bulls now become satellites on the prowl for either their former group, or, a new group to tend. The fourth week in September brings activity similar to the third week but not at quite at the same level. All this said, whatever week you and your hunting partner(s) can collectively work out to head into the elk woods is a good week to go!; just tailor your tactics to what is occurring during that part of the archery elk season.

[Roosiebull]

if I had to pick a week, it would be the first week, it's my favorite. it is a lot of fun in third or 4th week when they are more vocal on their own, but for my style, it's not better.

I like to be done before the last 2 weeks.

[ORelksniper]

The first week of season has been good to me. My favorite time to be in the elk woods.

[Sticknstringer]

I appreciate the advice on your experiences. As of now we're looking at September 1 to the 10th. I'm unsure on the area we have chosen but we gotta start somewhere. I'll keep pestering you guys as season gets closer. I'm looking up as much information as I can. Thanks

[Swede]

You are definitely not pestering us here Stick. We enjoy the discussion, but there Is an unwritten rule or understanding. If we help you get an elk, you are supposed to share a picture of it when you get back.

[CurlyTail]

I chose Sept.13 to 24th for this fall. I like to hear some Bugles, and calling rutting Bulls is the ultimate for me. This is my best guess for a few days prior to peak rut through peak rut. I kind of wish I had a full 2 weeks to hunt.

[Sticknstringer]

If I'm lucky enough to get one down I'll definitely post pics. I'm taking a hd camcorder so might have some videos as well. I'd love to be going closer to peak rut for the experience bugling but a buddy has to be back by the 15th

[Dr. Rx]

The week you can go!.. Just go and hunt!

Kris

[BrentLaBere]

I like what Randy Newberg said about hunting season. You have opening day and the rest of the hunting season. That can be said about hunting in the archery season and the rifle. The elk will act differently when everyone hits the trail. You might have to pick a time that works best for your schedule this year. Adjust on future hunts after that. Have fun and ask away

[jmorr]

I have concluded (through my very limited experience), that if I am hunting an area that I have scouted and a have a good feel for where the animals will be/patterns, etc, you can't beat opening day/week. If I am unable to scout, I will likely need a few days to find the animals, and a mid-late season hunt when they are much more vocal may shorten that "finding period". This becomes especially important if you are like me (and most) where you can only get away for a week or so during season.

[Indian Summer]

jmorr's post was a very good one.

Like mule deer you can pattern elk for the opener. But that takes time. Also the weather can be downright hot then so it's all or nothing. Swede hunts areas that aren't remote so pressure is a factor and therefore the element of surprise on the opener is a big reason to be out there on day 1.

But to answer the question with all other factors aside this year I'd pick the 16th to 23rd. If I was hunting longer than just one week I'd add the extra days on the first half of that beginning on the 10th if I could.

When answering this question I always add that if I had to pick 2 days to hunt it would be the same every year.... 20th and 21st.

[Sticknstringer]

We have an area we are looking at going. It's in 21 and 30. Any u guys ever hunt out west side of Co??

[Brendan]

This year will be the 10th to the 21st/22nd for me in Montana... The areas I've hunted there are pretty thick, I've only hunted a couple places, and I like having them as vocal as possible.

[Swede]

Swede hunts areas that aren't remote so pressure is a factor and therefore the element of surprise on the opener is a big reason to be out there on day 1.

That is huge for the area I hunt. Also the area is heavily used by cattle and they add to the reason the elk soon leave for private land. Last year the final elk seen by my party was on the morning of day 5 of the season. I continued hunting 24 more days without seeing one elk. One evening mid season a bull wallowed near an empty stand when I was at another, and maybe Stringunner saw an elk or two after day five, but there was not much around at all. That sure colors the reason I prefer the first week.

[N2mywake]

we're going to try the end of archery season this year for the first time. packing in the last few days of ML and staying through the close of archery. I'm Hoping for some vocal receptive bulls.

[Barnesnbow]

Anybody try prerut for archery?

[ElkNut1]

Of course! During pre-rut we will still call & hunt elk like peak rut. We mostly run & gun elk so cover a lot of ground looking for the vocal bulls. Sitting a stand at destination areas is also a good plan as long as you know where these spots are! Too, blind/cold calling works great for those elk that are silent, thing is they can also slip in silent as well! (grin)

ElkNut1