You know what I like about archery elk hunting?

[Deertick]

1. It\'s in SEPTEMBER! You know what I used to do in Nebraska in September? Dove hunt. Fun, but shooting 12 doves is somewhat less exciting than even hearing a bull bugle. You know what serious Nebraska hunters hunt in September? Squirrels, rabbits, and Mourning Doves.

2. It\'s in SEPTEMBER! The best time of year to camp. Mosquitoes are way past their peak. Colors are \"on\" and temperatures are reasonable.

3. Vocal elk. Ever hear a whitetail \"burp\"? It\'s like hearing a baby fart. Nobody cares.

4. It\'s in SEPTEMBER! The rest of the country isn\'t even thinking about hunting yet, and we\'re out chasing the biggest, meanest, loudest critter out there.

5. Rut hunting means interacting with the animal, not just ambushing them.

6. It\'s in SEPTEMBER! You have the rest of the year to hunt with rifles and muzzleloaders, do your winter camping, etc. You didn\'t get an elk? You still have time to fill the freezer.

7. You (essentially) have to camp to hunt elk. None of this \"I\'ll be home in a couple hours\"-business that the whitetail hunters say to their spouses. We\'re doing some serious \"get-the-heck-out-of-your-ordinary-life\"-stuff here.

8. Elk hunting has ruined the thought of going to Africa or something like that for me. I\'d much rather go on an \"unsuccessful\" elk hunt than just about any other hunt I can think of. If I\'m not hunting elk in September someday, I might as well be mixed in the crowd in a European art museum saying \"Umm, nice\" like the rest of them. Nothing compares to being up in the hills!

 

[Jaquomo]

Well, put, Dr. Deertick!

The only other thing that compares is a free-range hunt for red deer stags during the \"roar\". In the Southern Hemisphere that happens in March-April, which is their \"September\". Biggest difference is that instead of \"bugling\", they roar like lions.

Oh, and there are a whole bunch of things that can bite you and maybe kill you..... But I survived and would go back and do it again in a heartbeat, then come back to do it here in SEPTEMBER...

 

[rudyc]

I\'d gladly trade off a February and March for a couple more Septembers.

 

[Swede]

I know how you guys feel. Maybe the rut has its affect on me too. I think it is ok. It is purely mental and not biological. I can\'t explain it, even after all of these years. I just feel it coming on.

 

[archery bum]

4. It\'s in SEPTEMBER! The rest of the country isn\'t even thinking about hunting yet

I think about hunting 365 days a year. Hell I even dream about hunting!

 

[elkmtngear]

8. Elk hunting has ruined the thought of going to Africa or something like that for me. I\'d much rather go on an \"unsuccessful\" elk hunt than just about any other hunt I can think of. If I\'m not hunting elk in September someday, I might as well be mixed in the crowd in a European art museum saying \"Umm, nice\" like the rest of them. Nothing compares to being up in the hills!

I totally agree with this. Except for maybe this (someday):

The only other thing that compares is a free-range hunt for red deer stags during the \"roar\". In the Southern Hemisphere that happens in March-April, which is their \"September\". Biggest difference is that instead of \"bugling\", they roar like lions.