Elk can be broken down into five time periods. During each of these periods, Elk have distinct needs: food, water, security and breeding. As the hunting season progresses, these needs will change in priority, and these needs will dictate where you find the elk.
Here are the Five Periods of Elk;
2. Pre-Rut (Early September)
3. Peak Rut (Mid-September and into Early October)
4. Post-Rut (Mid to late October)
5. Late Season (November and Beyond)
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Elk have 4 primary needs, food, water, sanctuary, and breeding. These needs fluctuate with every season.
You probably already understand what is meant by food, water and breeding as a primary need. But here’s a quick explanation of sanctuaries. These are places, due to topography, distance, and/or blowdown, hunters just don’t want to go. BUT, that’s where the elk are going to be because they know you’re not going to go there. Sanctuaries are places far away from open roads. At the same time, a sanctuary can be a ranch that doesn’t allow hunting. And once rifle season starts, these are likely places elk are going to run.
Pre-Rut
This Pre-Rut calendar period runs from the end of the Early Season to about September 12, plus or minus a couple of days. This is a very interesting time to be in the field hunting elk. If you’re there for the entire two weeks, you will see the actions progress before your very eyes.
In the beginning of this period, food is still the key priority for bulls but not for long. Soon, the bulls will be moving toward the cows, which are going to be sitting on the most nutritious food source available. As you scout, look for recent wildfires or timber cuts because that’s where the good groceries are going to be. The landscape dictates where the food is.
Here are the Pre-Rut needs, in order of importance;
By the end of this period, the bulls will be turning their attention to the ladies, and they will be on the move with older bulls (four years and older) moving into cow groups and replacing those two- and three-year-old bulls. If you’re seeing this, just know that the RUT is around the corner. Head over to the Rut Calendar Period to read all about this magical period.
Keep in mind that is can be warm during the Peak-Rut time period and meat spoilage is a real threat. Be sure to have a plan to get your bull gutted, gilled, and chilled as soon as possible. Carrying the proper field dressing tools and refreshing your knowledge of field dressing can help speed up the process.
