Just wondering what everyone is hearing out there, got opening weekend of the general rifle this weekend. Here in Utah the peak of the rut started about exactly 2 weeks ago today, at least in my area. Got snow last night down to about 6000 ft. Kinda curious how the elk are responding everywhere else.

It's snowing and the wind is blowing today (opening day here in NW WY) As of last friday the elk were still bugleing but weren't responding (coming to) a call very well

for every law thats passed - alittle freedom dies

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During my elk study in Minnesota I heard 260 bugles in 5 minutes at sunset last night. I'm watching over 700 head of captive elk with over 70 antelred bulls (scoring between 280 and 400) and another 50 bnulls that have had their antlere cut off. Watched bulls mounting and chasing cows the last two nights. If you have any questions on elk behavior, or calling, fire away and I 'll try to answer. You can also e-mail me.

T.R. Michels

T.R. Michels

I just back back last week from the dakotas.The Elk were in heavy rut and in rage.Calls did'nt work real well.It would stop them but could'nt get them to commit to come in real close.Watched a sparing match for awhile two 6x's.That was pretty cool to see them Majestic animals getting it on.

It's not how big the Deer,But the size of the experiance that matters!!

Just got back from Arizona Apache bowhunt and the rut is over as cows are scarce with bulls but tons of bulls and the screamin' made me deaf. Some rutting still going as I could cow call bulls to a couple hundred yards before they shut down. Great hunt but no meat for me. Not one close cow but had easy 10 to 30 yard shots on 300+ bulls every time in woods. Only problem is the bull tags are $10000!! Good hunting.

spent better part of last two weeks in north central colo. never heard a peep

bob dunning

we left northwest colorado thursday and they were still hitting it pretty hard during midday to evening.

Any bulls buglin' now are ****** bulls 'thet ain't worth chasin'. Even ifn a good bull would bugle now, he ain't gonna answer an' wouldn't come to a call fer nuthin' in this world.

BJ

As you guys can see by the posts here, elk in different areas achieve peak bugling at different times, and they breed at different times. I've been trying to compile a chart of peak elk bugling dates, and peak breeding dates. If any of you have dates when peak breeding occurs in your area (from your state biologist) let me know and I'll put it on the chart. I'd really appreciate it. Maybe we can get the magazine to post the dates next year.
The one-hundred-and-forty 3+ year old bulls here in Minmnesota were still bugling 2 nights ago, but with less bugling every 5 minutes than they were last week. I expect they are winding down, but if last year is any indication, they will continue bugling until mid-November.
I saw a bull chasing a cow 2 days ago, but the herd only has 3 bulls and 100 cows. The same bull has been the dominant since Sept 1, but he is getting pretty worn out, and the #2 bull started sneaking in and breeding cows during the first week of October, just like last year. I'll have a lot of new information in my "Elk Addict's Manual" for next year.

If you have questions on elk (I'm learning a lot), deer, turkeys, ducks or geese, post a new question here addressed to T.R., or e-mail me.

Commit an act of kindness, and blame it on God.

T.R. Michels, writer, speaker
Trinity Mountain Outdoors
[email protected]

T.R. Michels