I'm going to be going to the Bozeman area(MT) hunting Elk this year and I need advise as to which 2 weeks in Sept. to go. I am the tie breaker in the group so I wanted a little more advise as to make sure we catch'em while thier in good rut...

Thanks

If that's the case, then you'll want to go the last 2 weeks! Get away from the people, and you'll have a blast!! elknut1

Sometimes it can be a crap shoot trying to predict when the best time to elk hunt is but a good bet is usually the second and third weeks in September. If I had to pick just two weeks (14 days) I would hunt Sept. 11 to the 24th.

Of course elk can be going strong from late August into October.

The rut can change with the weather conditions at the time, how wet or dry the region is, and how concentrated the heards are.

i would definately go with the 2nd two weeks, even the 1st week of october is usually alot of activity, and the weather is cooler

The elk along the Front here and in Northcentral Montana seem to hit the rut about September 20 or so each year. Shoot for then.

Maybe I am wrong here but I want to hunt bulls before the full blown rut is on. When they are in full rut the heard bulls have most of the cows hearded up and and are actively breeding them. They are much less likley to answer a challenge of another bull (you) or go after a lone cow (again you) when they have 20 or 30 of them that they are tending and breeding already.

I want to be in the middle of them when they are looking for hot cows, gathering up their harems, chasing after smaller bulls, and are much more likely to answer your cow and bull calls. There are a lot less eyes looking around too.

Thanks, that is just what I wanted to here

I agree with big bulls, I too like to hunt them before the heard bulls have there harem. As far as trying to guess when the other hunters will be there, well that changes every year. Of course if you hunt in the backcountry, or go at least go 3-4 miles in you will escape the crowds.