I got this form another fourm. (This is in WYO)
Last week--the week of August 13th, I heard from some hunters near Cody that they were already seeing bulls completely rubbed off and beginning to wallow. I was a bit skeptical as I had just returned from Banff ( on the 12th)and Jasper, Canada, and the bulls there are showing no signs of even beginning to shed their velvet. Also, last year I watched a big 350+ class bull rub off on August 30th and collected his velvet the next day.
I now believe them completely and will add my own observations. Tuesday night of this week, I watched three different bunches of elk in the Big Horns, all of 25 or fewer animals and each with one mature bull--completely rubbed off and with dark antlers, which tells me they have already been wallowing. I was also surprised to see them in small bunches already. The nursury herds are often still intact even when the season starts around here.
Then, last night--Thursday, August 19th--I watched a very large bull herd 25 cows in a large park. He was bugling furiously and working to cut out another raggy bull. He even went after what I perceived to be a male calf, trying to drive him away from the cows. He was much more agressive than any pre-rut behavior I have seen in the past. If I hadn't kown the date, I would have sworn it was September 15th. Then, to conclude my evening, I watched a 330-350 class bull work a wallow over. He thrashed the grass, throwing large clumps in all directions before rolling around in the mud and then bolting in circles like a fawn playing games. Then he'd dart back into the wallow and work it some more, only to buck away like a stung horse and then return and thrash the ground and wallow some more. I'l tell you, it sure got my pulse rate up and put a smile on my face.
I have watched 1000's of elk over the years in the exact same location I was last night and have never seen such early rutting behavior. We have had a cool summer here in Wyoming and it appears that may be effecting the timing of the rut this year.
I thought I'd offer my observations for what they're worth. Is anyone else seeing such behavior yet?
FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU! Walk soft and carry a 300 RUM,