Early season elk hunting strategies

Bowhunting the early season for whitetails takes a lot more finesse than most deer hunters apply. Tips and tactics early season elk bow hunting in september is one of the most. There is something about the vast wilderness and the bugle of a bull at daylight that makes elk hunting so remarkable. When it comes to success with early season elk hunting, scouting can be your biggest asset. Early season elk tactics go high or go home by aron snyder the peak of the rut is by far the most sought after time to head out west and harvest an elk. Honestly, i love hunting screaming bulls in the middle of the rut, but the timing of that magical week. But there is a tremendous advantage to be had using summer pattern to locate bulls. In the early season, elk will usually bed down in the middle of the day, but in the late season, the elk will rarely bed down during the day. Any number of factors from weather still trying to figure out what season it wants to be, an excess of other hunters trying to cashin on the ability to use a rifle to fill a tag, or pure elklessness can make for tough hunts. For more early season elk hunting strategies, check. The best time for bow hunting early season whitetails is a very subjective topic, and different people have widely different opinions on it. This episode captures the highs and the lows, the weather, the frustration. Early season elk bow hunting is a fantastic pure hunting adventure.

Read on to see how these tactics paid huge dividends in my 2009 elk season. Elk are migratory animals and in addition to having both summer and winter ranges, as the smell of fall is in the air and the rut approaches, most elk will naturally move from where they spend the summer to rutting grounds or rutting areas. Frigid temperatures give way to snow, elk movement seems erratic and the peak of the rut is in the rearview mirror. However, hunters who adapt to these diverse conditions will begin to find themselves placing more and more value in those early hunts instead of using these as scouting days for the upcoming rut. The downside is as the popularity of elk hunting has increased, so has the bull elk s ability to remain silent and slip into the backcountry until the season is over. Big game hunting elk hunting turkey hunting hunting tips bull elk american games bowfishing animal games rocky mountains. Ambush hunting on a wallow may not be the most glamorous means of harvesting a bull, but its very effective, especially during the prerut and rut. The spike and satellite bulls will be tending the cow and calf herds until the big bulls come down to claim there harem by the middle of september. Early season elk bow hunting in september is one of the most exhilarating adventures a bow hunter can take.

The cows are going into estrus, bulls are screaming all night long and the potential to get face to face. Early season bow hunting should you hunt mornings or. Arkansas has a wide temperature range and a lot of diverse habitat, making early hunting different in every corner. Hunting elk during their winter migration is a world away from hunting them duringor even in the first few weeks followingthe rut. Early season elk hunting can be hot in the afternoon and early evening. For some of us archery elk hunters, and to be more direct, utah elk hunters, we. Next to whitetails, it is safe to say that elk are the most soughtafter biggame animal in the united states.

My hunting area is easy access to all and receives lots of pressure, thus, early season is the best time as the elk are still a little dumb. During the early season in september before the rut begins the mature bulls will be up high in timber pockets and in alpine meadows. Early season elk tactics for a bowhunter will vary greatly depending on which state you are hunting. You can search within this site on the right side of this page. Early in my elk hunting career i could find elk, but would always get beat in the. Below i will outline five of my favorite tactics for early season elk hunting. Check out the blog on that goes over the tips, tactics, and gear used in this video. One of the things i like to do in the early part of september is to slow down and work the elky areas less aggressively. Early elk hunting tips matching articles outdoor life. Several states offer archery dates beginning in august, and the early season is a great time to capitalize on bulls before they gather with cows, or even catch bulls still in the velvet. Ensure that you have everything you need for your hunting trip at camp to last the duration of the hunt.

It can be hot and miserable, but those hunters that are persistent, hunting from sunup to sundown greatly increase their odds at success. Early season rifle elk hunting can be feast or famine. Ill be the first to admit that elk hunting is tough. But as hunting pressure intensifies in early autumn, nearly all of these publicland elk drift to large valleyfloor ranches that are mainly closed to hunting.

Some states allow time in august while others have you waiting for early to mid september. I am fortunate to live near elk country and get to hunt the entire season. Head to water, pay attention to the wind, call, move if necessary, be aware of losing light, and rely on previous experience, which is a. But in the late season, the elk generally will be on their feet all day long, trying to find as much food as they can and eat as much as possible. Earlyseason elk hunting strategies elk hunting, hunting. I usually start rattling in the early season and increase the amount of rattling i do as the season progresses, said ramos. Best elk hunting season colorado elk hunting colorado. When temps are warm, here are 3 early season elk hunting tips.

The hunting is so different from early season bugling in shortsleeve weather for rutting elk that its almost like going after a different species. The end result, and we will go into some detail later in this article, for many elk hunting groups is that they decide 2nd season is the best for their group. The early season can be the time to catch a mature buck on a feeding pattern. The final weekend of archery elk season can seem futile. This hunt is a great example of early season elk bow hunting in september. Early season elk hunting is all about being persistent.

The elk is a herd animal that migrates during the winter. How to hunt elk in the early season with kristy titus youtube. Slightly different tactics have worked well for me versus the more aggressive rut hunting tactics i employ later in the season. Understanding that during most rifle elk seasons the bulls are looking for sanctuaries to escape hunters, i break my rifle hunting into two different strategies for public land bulls opening weekend and post opening day. The main purpose of this site is to provide you with as many practical tips and fast facts as possible to make your hunting experiences more successful, comfortable, enjoyable, positive, easier and safer. Tips and tactics bow hunting elk in september pure hunting. Many hunters often wait for peak rut to start hunting elk. Honestly, i love hunting screaming bulls in the middle of the rut, but the timing of that magical week can vary from state to state and area to area. Elk behaviorand hunting strategies depends on a variety of factors, including the time of year, the rut, food availability, weather and hunting pressure. Early season elk hunting strategies i consider any time before september 1st as early season when it comes to elk hunting. Hunting elk in the early rifle season pure hunting. Towards the end of the season, you really need to know pressured elk hiding areas to find elk. Early season elk bowhunting tactics mark kayser youtube.

The early season can be a very exciting time to be in the elk woods. Its one more method to consider and you cant eat glamour anyway. Regardless of which states you have tags for, we will focus on the notion of hunting public land elk that are not quite vocal, not quite rutting, and. How to hunt elk in the early season rocky mountain elk. The challenges of the early season can be plenty, ranging from blistering temperatures and bachelor bulls to unvocal elk and overall slow hunting. Early season calling tactics for elk hunting success. By mid november, when the animals start heading out of the high country on their way to their wintering grounds.

Some will swear up and down that mornings are the only time to consistently take a buck with a bow, while others will bet their lives on afternoons as the best time to hunt. A fourseason guide to patterning big bull elk outdoor life. Early bow season hunting strategies should be specifically used to create precision opportunities. All days of a hunting season are not the same when it comes to hunting pressure and its impact on elk. If youre familiar with spotting and stalk mule deer hunting then this first tip could prove to be the way to get an arrow in an early season bull this year.

Also, be sure to check out the new pursue the wild line of elk calls, the wild frenzy bugle tube, the wild fury diaphragm and the igniteherwild external reed cow call here. If you think being in a relationship tests your mental willpower, just wait until you try hunting elk. Hunting the early season takes a little more resolve, and may make you wonder if youre beating yourself up for nothing, but if you modify your. Finding glassing points like this is imperative when hunting elk before the rut kicks in.

This episode captures the highs and the lows, the weather, the frustration and the elation of success at the last possible moment. Its not always the glam show that is portrayed on social media and there are many hours during a hunt spent wondering just what in the hell you have gotten yourself into. Tips on how to get best ideal types to keep your feet both warm and dry in spring. Earlyseason elk hunting strategies as i talk with fellow elk hunters, i often get asked the question. Elk hunting tips, tactics and gear from 3 hardcore hunters. In the episode, titus discusses creating the frenzy to call in a prerut bull elk, team strategies, solo hunting strategies, and more. How late season elk hunting is different from early season. In addition to refuge, elk find better groceries on the ag land, in the form of irrigated alfalfa and grassy pastures.

Its times like these i cant wait to exchange the struggle of my bow for the confidence of my rifle. Look for water because thats where elk will be headed. The rut makes bulls vulnerable, but finding elk during periods of hot weather is no easy task. With archery elk seasons kicking off across the west, many hunters are.