Breaks Archery Dates Question

Edpre · Jul 29, 2011

I always liked MT Archery Elk from Sept 10th till Sept 20th. This year however, that's gonna be a big, bright full moon, which I don't like.
Here's my reasoning on 10 - 20th - It beats the "crowds" by a few days. It's a little early for bulls to be "not interested" in arguing over adding to their girlfriends (respond to young bull grunts & cow calls a little better) and they've heard less calling and are maybe a bit less call-shy.
I hate full moons because I hear them all nite long and have to catch 'em sleeping shortly after daybreak and more difficult to glass-up before sundown.
I've got my calendar penciled in for this year from 9/16 till 9/26. But it's killing me. It's the same old "Which corner of the cornfield to I setup on?" - always seems to be the wrong one!
Opinions please!

Edpre

Randy11 · Jul 29, 2011

I was in the breaks the first week of October last year and had a blast. Not much for other hunters and the bulls were still bugling.

NONYAMT · Jul 29, 2011

They talk from August till early Nov,actuall rutting activity is another story.Im scheduling for the week of waning moon after the full,full moon last year was a waste of time in my area,they would bugle all the way to the bedding area then go silent.

WillPower · Jul 29, 2011

Edpre-

I have hunted the breaks early, mid and late. I would definitely avoid the full moon and try to hunt later, keying in and around the 23rd. I have had magical moments on the breaks during this time. Good luck. Speaking of the full moon, I will be on a 5-day hunt in NM October 8-12, could not have timed the full moon any better or worse, but thats Ok, I will be ready to kill my bull come high noon! Again, good luck.

WP

"My only regret in life is setting my goals too low"

Edpre · Aug 1, 2011

Nonya - Travelling from PA which unfortunately fixes a week or so for me. Gotta choose the right one. Better question for anyone would be "If you had to pick just one week to hunt the breaks THIS year, what week would it be"?

edpre

NONYAMT · Aug 1, 2011

Being the breaks and the pressure they get I would bite the bullet and hunt the opening week.

Edpre · Aug 1, 2011

Check PM

NONYAMT · Aug 2, 2011

Checked and replied let me know what you decide to do.

Edpre · Aug 2, 2011

Yep- got it - sent you and Will another. Thanks again for the input.

edpre

lvelk · Aug 2, 2011

Any input on how the elk in 700 faired the winter?

Edpre · Aug 3, 2011

The other guys may know better, but from what I've heard the elk did just fine, plus it seems to have been quite a good growing year. Just hope it doesn't dry out and get too crunchy or worse...

edpre

NONYAMT · Aug 3, 2011

pm sent

Edpre · Aug 3, 2011

Nonya- Got it. Thanks. Definitely leaning toward opening 7 or 8 days from the info I've gotten. Haven't had anyone give me very good reasons why it would suck.

Thanks Nonya, Will, Nemont & all who responded. That's why I love this site.

edpre

NONYAMT · Aug 3, 2011

Remember one thing,if its starts raining HAUL ASS!Seriously though if it starts coming down get off the side roads and get out to a main road until the wind/rain have a chance to dry things out.That Gumbo will fill up your wheel wells and you will play hell getting the rig back to a main road.

elkaholic123 · Aug 3, 2011

Ed,I wouldn't drag that trailer all the way in.But you already know how the roads can get.Jerry

Edpre · Aug 4, 2011

Nonya & Jerry -- WAAAAAAY too familiar with the gumbo! (Did you know if you're stuck for 2 1/2 days with very limited water, 7 miles from gravel and 7 miles from the lake, you can boil pasta noodles in diet pepsi - and they're not tooo bad????) Road into Fourchette camp is "maintained gravel" and according to CMR and Army CE it's in really good shape. That's our route in and out with that home on wheels. But, we'll be careful. That's one more reason why we're leaning toward opening week - hotter temps will dry out any rain a little sooner.

edpre

NONYAMT · Aug 4, 2011

I think i just threw up a little...LOL sounds fantastic!Once you go east of the bay road it can get bad,we always retreat to the top of the first hill on the bay road if the rain starts and wait it out,Im going to PM you with a google earth image Endpre,Ill mark a couple spots that were hot last fall.

NONYAMT · Aug 4, 2011

Sent it in an email,the marker in the upper right shows where the 6x bull was killed opening afternoon,the other two are where they were bedding last year.

Edpre · Aug 4, 2011

Got it - thanks! I'll be off the board for a few days- camping with family. Should be a great long weekend. My boy's (just under 2) first "big" camping trip!

edpre

mnmthunting · Aug 6, 2011

That archery hunt North side of the lake is a great adventure. I've done it a dozen or so times but not since the mid 90's. No kidding about the gumbo was stuck down in the Killed Women Creek area for several days.
At least the Knox Ridge Road is now graveled. Last Sept Telegraph Creek flooded and those camped at Fourchette bay were stuck there for a few days. No travel at all off road.
Good luck with your adventure.

NONYAMT · Aug 6, 2011

Yep and the wind TRASHED some big camps down there,we looked at the forecast and got out just in time.

Edpre · Aug 10, 2011

Closest butcher to cut, wrap & and freeze? Malta? I know there's one in Zortman - cut up a couple deer for me last year. Hunt is gonna be opening day till about the 9th or 10th. Getting pretty pumped up.

edpre