Nevada Rut

hogliver · Apr 10, 2009

Generally speaking, when does the rut pick up and end in Nevada? I am pretty sure the September-October early hunts fall in the rut, but what about the August 25 - Sept 15 archery hunts? Does the muzzleloader date of Oct 20 hit the end of the rut? Any input greatly appreciated.

fatrooster · Apr 10, 2009

In my opinion the rut is pretty much over by October 20th. fatrooster.

nvguy2 · Apr 10, 2009

I had the muzzy hunt in 2007 and there were quite a few bulls screaming. I heard that the cows could have possibly hit they're second estrus, but I am not sure. We were in the ely area for my dads cow muzzy hunt last year during the 3rd week in September and there was alot of bulls screaming. In 2007 when I had the muzzy hunt, my brother was on the archery hunt with a couple friends and he said toward the end they were getting vocal early, but ending as soon as the sun came up. I truly beleive that it depends on the weather that time of year. I also think that the prime rut is in between the archery and muzzy hunts, but that is just my opinion. Hope this helps.

dwalton · Apr 10, 2009

When my wife had her tag in 2007, the cow elk near Wells had entered their second estrus during the first rifle season. I saw several bulls with their harems and satellite bulls tormenting them. Lots of bugling, chasing, and even a good fight between two large bulls. Kind of reminded me of a rut hunt. Like nvguy2 said, it will depend upon the weather for the year hunted.

Best of luck!

Horniac · Apr 12, 2009

I had a muzzy tag in 2007 as well in the Ely units. I am in agreement with Fatrooster on this one, by the start of the muzzleloader season, the rut is pretty much over. All the bulls we saw during the hunt were up high and without cows, except the one I shot.

The bulls should be starting to rut towards the end of the archery season but it ends a little too early for peak rut activity. Of course, like some of the other posters said, the weather (and I think moon phase) will also play into the rut timing and it may vary slightly from year to year and even from mountain range to mountain range. That has been my experience, anyway...

Horniac

bearman · Apr 13, 2009

It starts at the end of August and ends middle of October. The heat of it Sep. 10 to Oct. 15.

Califelkslayer · Apr 13, 2009

Never drew a Nevada elk tag (yet) but my experence in Mt, Id, Co, Wy and Ore is the PEAK is 9/20-10/1. Whoops, no bull season for NRs in Nevada at that time. And I heard 4 bugles during the third rifle season in Co around 10/30 to 11/1. And I've heard lots of bugles as late as 10/15. 9/1 bugling usually only lasts til sun-up.

I believe Nv doesn't allow NRs to hunt elk in the PEAK (except the old tag in 161-164) for a reason. A lil less success=more money and more opportunity.

That said, in my opinion and for the way I hunt, the archery is too early for me. I hate long hot days with the only activity the first and last hour.

The muzzy fits me better so thats my first 3 choices, then a rifle because you only need one opportunity. I prefer archery but not with those dates.

But any Nevada elk tag is a great tag.

bearman · Apr 15, 2009

There are few tags in the rut for res or non-res in Nevada. To give out more tags this has to be done, we don't have lots of elk like other states. And elk are still very active in the archery season. I hunt this every year and you can call them in from beginning until end.

Idcurs · Apr 15, 2009

Hunted the archery season in 07 around Caliente,had no problem working bulls every day.got the first big (375ish0 the second day of the season to come to with in 25 yards.A hunter with a whole lot of elk fever and he walked away.Aweek later and i got a 346 bull in front of him at 27 yards and he put him down.Low hunters #s and a lot of bulls makes great hunt,I keep dreaming of the time when I draw this tag!!!!!

Califelkslayer · Apr 17, 2009

Nice to know guys. Thanks

ELKOHUNTER · Apr 18, 2009

I shot my bull on the 8th (2008) of sept and they were still going crazy! They were in the peak of the rut that week. Man I wish I did not have to wait to get that tag agian! that was the 111 archery bull tag.

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