CO Moose Rut

jrbCO · Jun 11, 2016

For you guys in the know, what do you think are the peak dates for the CO moose rut?

DW · Jun 11, 2016

Most cows are breed the first week of October. Gestation is 8 months, calving the first week of June. That said the last couple weeks of September thru the first 2 weeks of October will be the most active rutting behavior, IMO.

Weatherby · Jun 12, 2016

I agree with DW.... Archer's actually want to draw 1st rifle season for this reason. I called in my last moose with archery gear in hand, on October 1st.

jrbCO · Jun 12, 2016

>I agree with DW.... Archer's actually
>want to draw 1st rifle
>season for this reason. I
>called in my last moose
>with archery gear in hand,
>on October 1st.

You jumped directly to my underlying thought. Would it be better hunting the last week of archery 9/18-25 or during the rifle hunt 10/1-14?

I have very limited moose hunting experience in Alaska and the Yukon, but what I gathered is the moose would often hole up with a cow(s) during peak breeding and may be hard to call. They would roam far and wide just before and after peak looking for cows.

Then there is also the concept of competition. The last week of archery will still see a lot of hunters in the hills, but no other seasons are open during rifle moose.

DW · Jun 12, 2016

Thought that's where you were goin. I too believe there's a "chase" phase prior to the breeding phase that makes bucks and bulls more vulnerable in many respects. More active during daylight, more susceptible to calling, more focused on locating a receptive female and less on their own preservation. When they get locked onto a hot cow they don't move as much and now you've got two animals you have to sneak in on instead of one. IMO they're more susceptible the last couple weeks of September prior to locating a hot cow, but now you're limited to shorter range weapons. I like to think the g&p folks set the seasons this way for this very reason.

jrbCO · Jun 13, 2016

Well I was debating swapping my rifle season tag for archery, but I was able to get the 1st week of October off work. I like the thought of no other on going seasons, so the woods should be a little quieter. Most that I have talked to as well as you responders, seem to think the rut may be going better in October. I guess I will find out.

DW · Jun 13, 2016

Good luck man! Hope you thump a toad and show us pictures of him!

Cozmo8 · Aug 17, 2016

I called a bull in the first day of rifle season in 2013. An archery hunter I was corresponding with had decent rutting action prior to the rifle hunt. Tough call but you will have a blast.