Dates

[razorback]

My hunt dates are 30 Aug-12 Sep. I\'m going to be in Colorado, Unit 44. Of those dates, any advice on what the elk will be doing in relation to the rut and calling tactics. I know cold calling has been discussed quite a bit, is there a chance I\'m going to hear a big bull hammering? Are any of these dates a favorite of the members on here and if so why?

 

[timberland]

I always love opener. Most of our elk we encounter are from still hunting and sneak and peak. get into their travel areas, cruize slowly, glassing ahead. If you find yourself in a bottleneck or pinch point, I might post up a while during morning and evening travel times. Once and a while we hear bugles, but never \"hammering\" like in the videos. Very similar to how I turkey hunt, very passive. I stillhunt/glass/stalk simultaneously until I have a visual, then I can make a game plan to get up close and personal.

 

[cnelk]

You are going at a good time.
But, there isnt really a bad time to hunt elk

Hunt it soft. Since its early, the elk will be in summer mode until they figure that arrows are flying.
Look for fresh sign, they arent moving much yet.

 

[JohnFitzgerald]

Sept 12 is about when I start chasing vocal elk.

Towards the end of your hunt you might pick up a vocal bull but it really just depends on the cows going into estrus.

I really don\'t mean to be a downer and there\'s always a chance.

+1 on CNELK and timberland

 

[razorback]

So more like WT instead of turkeys. If I find elk are they likely to stay in that general area?