Early season rut or late season winter range hunts always seems to simplify the matter for me.

SO DO YOU HUNT BOW SEASONS AND DO USE CALLS OR STALK OR WHAT?

First off I hunt elk in Montana’s wilderness areas so we start early. I am not fond of bow hunting for elk but we still get a rut hunt for rifle with the season opening Sept. 15th. (my hunting partner took a rag horn bull with a bow this year) But both seasons can offer nice weather and yes we bugle bulls. If this fails for one reason or another I don't go back in the mountains until the heavy snows come late in the season and the elk tend to be pushed down from the high country for the season. It seems to make finding them a little easier for many reasons but it is also less favorable weather to go out and play in. I just look at it like I have to pay my dues if I screw it up early on while the weather is nice and the bulls are bugling.. With the timing of the rut not truly being predictable as well as heavy late snows may fail to show until after the end of season this whole theory has the chance to go to hell in a hand-basket. But in all honesty I don’t recall the last time it didn’t pan-out.

Thanx........jeffalaska

I agree with Jeff about the late season. Snow and cold temperatures will help you be more successful if your in an area with elk.

If late season is not possible then scout near watering holes looking for fresh sign (tracks/scat) and hang around in the dusk and dawn to see if your getting regular traffic in and out of the hole.

Hunting elk in the rut is absolutely amazing. Its an experience every hunter should have. I prefer to hunt with a rifle as well. Either book hunts in wilderness areas or in British Columbia. Find a rifle hunt in the bugle and you'll love it. BC is six point only managed though so that has to be considered. If you've never killed an elk you might not like passing on terrific 5 pointers.

Yeah Ive killed elk. I've shot my share of raghorns and cows but this year I'm after an elk that is at least a big 5x5 maybe a 6x6. I will be hunting rut in the bugle. I will also be using a bow. Thanx for the info.