antlerradar
Well-known member
I shot this buck in 2005 on the opener. The temperature got up to 95 that day. Fortunately I had him out of the hills well in advance of the worst of the heat.
Hottest opener ever?
- Thread starter Southern Elk
- Start date
I’ve been struggling with some indecisiveness on going to my elk spot this weekend. Excited that elk season is here, but also dread what would happen to the meat if I actually shot something.
Think I came to my conclusion last night baking while changing my oil after dinner. It’s too darn hot.
Then again, it felt pretty nice out this morning…
Might skip elk this weekend and try to punch an OTC WT-doe tag closer to home & truck instead. Also, college football.
Think I came to my conclusion last night baking while changing my oil after dinner. It’s too darn hot.
Then again, it felt pretty nice out this morning…
Might skip elk this weekend and try to punch an OTC WT-doe tag closer to home & truck instead. Also, college football.
flatcoat
Well-known member
I’m currently standing about 8000 feet in in my zone in SE Idaho. These elk rut notoriously early, day one is usually game on.
It’s been apathetic chuckles and a bugle or two. Another member of our camp saw 3 young bulls tootling around together in full velvet with no interest in cows. Rubs from this year are hard to come by when normally they’re everywhere. I don’t really feel great about killing one mid day over water in these temps so I’ll probably give it a rest for a week until it cools off.
Doesn’t seem like Ruffs or Blues had a good year either.
It’s been apathetic chuckles and a bugle or two. Another member of our camp saw 3 young bulls tootling around together in full velvet with no interest in cows. Rubs from this year are hard to come by when normally they’re everywhere. I don’t really feel great about killing one mid day over water in these temps so I’ll probably give it a rest for a week until it cools off.
Doesn’t seem like Ruffs or Blues had a good year either.
On our scouting trip into the Little Belts this weekend we didnt see or hear a single grouse the whole day. That really worries me because after all...the grouse are there for those of us who fail on elk lol
noharleyyet
Well-known member
Was expecting something totally different.
3855WIN
Well-known member
Hard to believe an old Smith County boy is worried about getting too hot for the bow opener. I’ve worn short pants and t shirt with a bug tamer suit over it for early archery in the Sip. Go whack one and post pics.
Hem
Well-known member
BigHornRam
Well-known member
I remember a back country 9/15 opener around 2011? were it was 90 degree plus in the Bob Marshall complex. A couple Oregon guys had a bull down that undoubtedly went to waste.
westbranch
Well-known member
I will be driving to WY for a quick trip this weekend. Very limited circumstances that I would fling an arrow with the heat but it will be good to scout the area before heading back on Sept 16.
Idahoarcheryhunter
Well-known member
Plan is to sit water sources this weekend. Two coolers full of ice in the event I get something down. Best of luck to everybody heading out.
shrapnel
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It was 33 degrees this morning, saw a cow, but didn’t hear a bugle. Sunrise was nice…
el unit
Well-known member
Fire weather watch forecasted for opening day tomorrow.
TheJason
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Red flag weather through tomorrow, then cooler weather next week.
MThuntr
Well-known member
That was a hot start. In my unit I had snow 2 days later...made for a fun morning tracking bugles in fresh snow. Really quieted things down too.
I'm taking the opener off for the first time in ages. I spent way too much time in the open in the Challis Volcanics above the Salmon River this week. Bordering on heat exhaustion even with a gallons of cool water. Next week I'll go out.
Ridgerunner6901
Well-known member
Couldnt say what year but its been a while, we set up camp in idahos mccall zone at 100 degrees. Hang in there, itll cool off soon.
I think I'll stick around home and recharge my "kitchen pass" that got a bit depleted the last two weeks in Nevada. When we packed out the last pronghorn in Nevada it was 97F when we got to the truck. I've had my fill of those kind of temps, so I'll find something better to do until it starts cooling down mid-week.
Good luck to those tough and hardy souls who will be out this weekend.
Good luck to those tough and hardy souls who will be out this weekend.
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