Elk Rut Question

[okiehunter]

I am considering changing my 3rd season elk rifle hunt to an archery hunt this year. Considering going back to Colorado unit 74. I have been looking at the season dates and when the peak rut is likely to occur based on moon phase.

I have heard that the peak of the rut generally falls 25 weeks after Easter (6 months and 1 week). If this is true the 2009 elk rut will peak between September 28 and October 9th. The Colorado archery season runs from August 29 through September 27th, thereby missing the presumed peak of the rut.

Assuming the rutting period generally lasts a full month; if a fellow hunted the last 10 days of the season (Sept 18 to 27) he would likely be hunting the beginning of the rut or during the ?pre? rut. There is a new moon on Sept 19th which some consider being the best moon for day time activity.

My question then becomes, (not withstanding the archery vs. rifle debate) am I better off bow hunting, every though I will miss the peak rut or staying with the 3rd season rifle hunt.

Good news for 2010, the peak rut hits between September 20 and October 1st.

Your thoughts please,

Rick
www.Nolanoutdoors.com

 

[ScottNM]

Most biologists agree that Sept 19-27 is when most of the cows come into estrus. There always some that come in estrus through early Oct. Sept 24 to Oct 1 is the best rut hunting period. The last 7 days of the bow hunt are great. Its just that Colorado does it all wrong. they will never be a world class trophy contenter until they get muzzleloaders out of sept.

 

[theox]

>Most biologists agree that Sept 19-27
>is when most of the
>cows come into estrus. There
>always some that come in
>estrus through early Oct. Sept
>24 to Oct 1 is
>the best rut hunting period.
>The last 7 days of
>the bow hunt are great.
>Its just that Colorado does
>it all wrong. they will
>never be a world class
>trophy contenter until they get
>muzzleloaders out of sept.

scott
colorado doesnt want to be a trophy contender! they manage for quantity not quality. so they do it all rightfor there objections. pretty sure they have it figured seein how they have more elk than any 2 states combined

in utah i usually start hearing bugles within the first week of sept and it seems to peak in mid sept. no idea about colorado