Bulls still bugling October 1st?

[Founder]

Sitting here trying to decide what hunt to have my wife apply for. I've been looking at some of those HAMS hunts, but was curious about bulls still bugling in early October.
She gets excited about hunting some vocal bulls, so we've narrowed it down to the Wasatch muzzleloader or one of the HAMS hunts. What do you all think?

 

[Outdoordan]

Absolutely. Bugling for sure.

 

[Bigwiffy]

No doubt about it. Some of the best rut frenzy I've been in has been in the month of October.

 

[BearBait49]

I drew a CWMU tag last year and shot my bull on October 14th and they were still bugling like it was the 3rd week of September. Early October is always good for bugling so if the Ham hunt interests you guys the most go for it.I will add I hunt the Wasatch every year for muzzleloader deer and the bulls are going nuts as well so that tag would be fun to have also.

 

[travishunter3006]

Over the last 20 years, IMO the rut has moved from late august-mid sept and is now primarily mid sept-early October. The LE muzzy boys can confirm.

 

[elkhunterUT]

Assuming you know one of those HAMS units well and know how to find elk, you should definitely see some rutting/bugling activity in October. Having said that, I would take the Wasatch muzzy tag over any of the HAMS hunts personally. You will definitely find rutting action on that muzzy hunt and shouldn't have any problem getting into elk.

 

[bucks]

PM sent!

 

[wweaver79]

Yes, first week of oct is still bugle time. You will have some broken bulls by then in some units however.

 

[coyoteslayer]

The HAMS hunt I know well, does not have enough elk to have serious bugling during the hunt. I am sure there will be some bugling in pockets, but it will be tough. My brother's daughter had a tag in a HAM unit last year and it was a tough hunt. Ended up killing a good bull, but it took a lot of time. I think success for that hunt was less than 50% for any bull, let alone a good bull.

 

[Deepcolor]

Over the last 20 years, IMO the rut has moved from late august-mid sept and is now primarily mid sept-early October. The LE muzzy boys can confirm.

I assume you understand what triggers the elk rut?

 

[Cooper]

I assume you understand what triggers the elk rut?

Don’t leave us hanging !!!!

 

[2lumpy]

Calving dates.

 

[travishunter3006]

I assume you understand what triggers the elk rut?

Wives tales and fairy dust. Tel is one of them please because I swear if you say moonlight or sunlight to the eye… I’ll die of laughter.

 

[Horsecorn]

Easy answer. When them women come into heat

 

[2lumpy]

Easy answer. When them women come into heat

Yup, and good ole Mother Nature determines when the best feed, makes the best milk and the momma comes in heat 9 months before that happens, give or take a “couple of days”. It varies a little by longitude and latitude based on the long term historical date the forage has the highest protein. In Central Utah elk cows calf, give or take 7-10 days before or after the 15th day of May. With the most calves being born May 14, 15, 16. 9 months later, they will come back in heat and get bred. Mule deer are the same, shifted one month later. June 15 and November 15.

More or less. ?

 

[PleaseDear]

Go for the Wasatch Muzzy tag for her!




Robb

 

[Founder]

Go for the Wasatch Muzzy tag for her!




Robb

That’s what we did. She’d sure be excited to hunt when they’re bugling.

 

[andrew12gauge]

Yup, and good ole Mother Nature determines when the best feed, makes the best milk and the momma comes in heat 9 months before that happens, give or take a “couple of days”. It varies a little by longitude and latitude based on the long term historical date the forage has the highest protein. In Central Utah elk cows calf, give or take 7-10 days before or after the 15th day of May. With the most calves being born May 14, 15, 16. 9 months later, they will come back in heat and get bred. Mule deer are the same, shifted one month later. June 15 and November 15.

More or less. ?

Close, they have an 8 month gestation period not 9

 

[littlebighorn]

My experience is the rut action will quickly wind down as October goes on.

 

[mlycrzy]

That’s what we did. She’d sure be excited to hunt when they’re bugling.

How many points does your wife have? I put my wife in for the same hunt with 10.

 

[Founder]

How many points does your wife have? I put my wife in for the same hunt with 10.

I believe it was 8.

 

[elkassassin]

I'd Say there are Several Things that can affect The Rut as to When it Happens!

It's Damn Sure Been Happening Later in the Fall than it Use To!

I'd Like To Shoot That Damn Moon Sometimes!

Best of Luck to the Lady on Pulling the Tag!