Colorado Rut Dates? Sept 11-15???

[wisconsinteacher]

Thoughts on the rut over the dates September 11-15? Looking at a muzzy hunt.

 

[Gellar]

From my experience in units that are 1-2 preference points for muzzleloader and otc for bow the amount of bugling really goes down during hunting hours starting Wednesday or Thursday before muzzleloader opens as more and more hunters are in the woods. That does not mean the elk are not there and are not doing things elk do during the rut, but they are not bugling as often and you need to hunt accordingly.

 

[AggieHunter]

Last year the rut didn't peak until the last week of September and first week of October. However, some places farther from roads and pressure may see action earlier.

 

[Gellar]

Last year the rut didn't peak until the last week of September and first week of October. However, some places farther from roads and pressure may see action earlier.

That snow/wind storm in September really shut them up in the unit where we were last year.

 

[AggieHunter]

That snow/wind storm in September really shut them up in the unit where we were last year.

Funny you say that as that one the one day my buddy got a bull fired up. I think the heat and no rain suppressed the rut some.

 

[Redman]

The rut happens the same time every year regardless of weather. Weather/Temps can affect the activity/intensity during legal hunting hours but elk have to drop their calves during a certain time frame or they will not survive. Yes this includes deer and other big game species.