Utah elk rut timing?

[jaybob]

Looking at the dates of the archery elk hunts, I'm wondering where the cycle of the rut is during that time. Are they peaking at all during that hunt?

 

[elkaddiction]

Depends on where you hunt, but my experience is the rut is usually the hottest between the 20-25th of September. This last year, things were just starting to get interesting the last two days of the general archery season. Don't misunderstand--I've seen the elk going crazy the 1rst week of September (this was on a LE unit down south), but in norther Utah, year in year out, it seems to be the third+ week of Septemeber.

 

[Silentstalker]

In my experience you have a great shot at killing a big bull early in september but it is tough because as these big bulls round up cows and start to push of the satelite bulls they are not very vocal but do respond to calling silently. MAkes for a very difficult hunt. They don't seem to get really worked up until the 3rd to 4th week of Sept. There are days before then when they come unglued but then it shuts down real quick. Usually those sparks in activity are based on very cold weather/ rain or snow.

Having done the archery LE elk, I am not so sure I would do it again. I would definatly re think doing a unit that had spike hunters on it. That made it even more difficult.

All that said, it was the funnest hunt of my life so far! I saw some magnificent bulls up close and personal. We went 1 for 2 on our hunt and the bull I killed was my biggest with a bow so far. That being said, he was a satelite bull that I killed with only 2 days remaining. Maybe I should have held out, maybe not. Good luck to you! It will be awesome no matter what you draw!

Chad

 

[elk_horn]

When I hunted my archery Elk tag on Monroe the Fish and game stopped by our camp and said the peak of the Rut starts Spetember 21st every year on Monroe give or take 1 or 2 days... he said hes been there for over 15 years and never seen it any different.