Rut Lull Strategies?

[Pines_N_Tines]

I'm new to elk hunting this year. I've been researching as much as I can. I'll be hunting Sept. 18th - 26th. It should be prime rut. I've read that depending on cow estrus cycles that the later part of Sept can be a rut rest phase while the bulls regain strength and the cows prepare to come into second cycle.

First of all have any of you experienced the elk going quiet during that time of year?

Secondly what strategies do you use if the rut does slow down.

And while your at it what do you feel is the biggest factor in kicking off the rut? Shorter days, colder temperatures, weather?

Thanks you your advice.

 

[Edpre]

Here's my 2 cents. First, after my extensive elk hunting experience in September (tongue in cheek!) I'd say that the biggest factor on the rut from 9-10 till end of Sept. is temperature. Second to me is moon phase. Here's why I say that: Put a parka and woolie unders on in August, have your wife, girlfriend, significant other run around in their sexiest gauchies and see how long you last. I would maybe make two laps around the couch and give up. Maybe only one. I'm sure elk feel just about the same. Moon phase plays a role too, I've noticed, cause if it's bright all night and they can see all night, they chase the girls around all night and konk out to bedding areas earlier in the am. Then take that rest longer into the evening till they're chasin them around again. They're out and about when we can't hunt them.
I'll be chasing bulls with the stick this fall and I'll take my chance with weather, but I'll play the moon (http://www.moonconnection.com/moon-september-2010.phtml). My usual primetime would have been 9-15 till 9-25, but I'm going to adjust that this year to 8th till 18th to beat those bright nights. Hope for cool weather earlier in the month, but I hate bright nights.
See what the others say, but my two biggest are temps, which I can't control and when I'm hunting depending on the moon, which I can.

Just my .02

EDPRE

 

[Pines_N_Tines]

Thanks for your reply. Based on the moon charts looks like Utah LE early rifle tag holders will be in for some bright nights throughout the duration of the hunt. Hopefully some cloud and cooler weather will come in and darken the night skys a bit. As with any hunt it looks like it will be pretty important to be up before first light and out til dark.

I'll ask my wife if we can try out the wooly underwear thing. Anyway to get her in the "sexy gauchies" is worth it.

 

[nickman]

Good thing I'm bored right now.

This is simply an OPINION...if the definition escapes you, look it up. I might add that my OPINION is backed by over 40 years of experience.......but it's still just my OPINION.

First off, this ain't a Disney movie!

Elk don't think, do simple math, discuss politics or religion.

When the rut is on, NOTHING else matters. There is no "lul", till it's over. Few creatures on earth are as mindless as a bull elk in rut.

Elk don't care about the heat...only what's IN heat. When they become tired they will go to some shade.....unless there is a cow or another bull in the area.

They don't care about the moon either....they have an eye as large as a tennis ball, they see very well in the dark. They feed everyday, moon or not.

Do the elements contribute?...Absolutely, but it ain't enough to affect your hunt or their rut, during the window of your hunt dates.

Wind and visibility are the biggest factors, rut or no.

Do what you have to do, stay positive, watch, listen and pay attention. Leave the rocket science home!

Have fun and good luck!

 

[wapitiwhistler]

I would have to agree with "nickman". Elk can be the most unpredictable animal in the woods. Through my experiences I can tell you that cold weather and no moon are usually the two biggest advantages we can have on our side. Everyone has there own opinion on what "kicks" the rut off but I believe there is only one. The cows have a gland in there eyes that sense when the days begin to get shorter which causes them to go into cycle. And yes if they are not bred the first time they we go back into a cycle 12-15 days later. My two cents...

 

[muleyhunter413]

I think elk will move more at night in a full moon cycle. I also beliove the elk will rut pretty much the same time every year. I think the big difference with weather is that i think the heat makes them be quiet. take it for what its worth.

 

[Gator]

I believe that hot days shuts up the elk. Cold evening will start them back up so you hear bulls bugling at night that wouldn't bugle during the day, That is why bulls will shutup right after it starts getting light. How if it's cold all day I find that bulls bugle off and on all day and cows call all day too. The colder you have it in the rut the better times will be.
Really hot days during the rut will push all the rutting to the nighttime where it is cooler. IMHO


"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

 

[mmwb]

I agree that the rut is triggered by the length of day. Cows go into estrus and bulls rut. They appear more inclined to be more active in the day when it is cooler, but some years they just seem more vocal then others regardless of moon or weather. ....based on my experience.

 

[muleybull]

I agree with nickman. The quality of the rut for the year will depend on the overall health of the elk. If its been a tough year, it may be a less impressive rut than if its been a good year and all the elk are healthy. But when its on, its on. Theres no time out during the rut.

Ive had some of my best days sweating my rear off in the shade of a cedar tree while the elk were blowing up all around me.

www.muleybulloutfitters.com

 

[elknr]

I agree with alot of these guys,But pressure cant turn the bugling or elk talking down to a none at all or hardly a sound also.I experienced this last year on my muzz hunt.They werent answering any calls.I thought the rut was over unless it was happening during the night..Moon was bright sometimes and not others,that didnt seem to help or hurt my hunt.but maybe it was the lul stage that happened on me.my hunt was sept 23-31..IT was a hard hunt and didnt kill anything...

 

[Califelkslayer]

I'm in the heat and full moon group BUT there are exceptions. 2 years ago I called in several bulls after 10:00 AM when the temps were getting into the mid-70s. And heard bugles mid-day when temps were in the mid-70s.

When it's on, it's on and remember, it only takes one.