Re: 2019 September Elk Hunting - Which Week?
As soon as the velvet comes off bulls will start roaming. It's already happening, just as it does every other year.
Now, I have had a lot of success either just before a heavy thunder shower, and sometimes right after, either 12 hours before or 12 hours post.
Just not fun hunting in downpours and being socked in and unable to glass around.
Heat just makes the majority of the day slow, usually, and early am or late evening are still good times, but I have seen elk hunker down in timber for days
during a heat spell and literally sit in there! until things cool off and have seen them up to 6 days in a small spot, hardly moving at all.
You're talking specific occurrences. A full moon will absolutely affect how much daytime activity there is. That being said, even in the heat or after a busy evening elk are up for a midday stretch and, if there's a hot cow, bulls will be dogging her instantly.
But if the calls get further away, you are probably dealing with a bull with cows, and you need to get in there and switch to cow calls only.
Sorry Bugle but I completely disagree with this. Bulls respond with fight or flight. If it's easier to just push the cows and avoid a fight he will do that. If he has a harem and you get in tight, challenging him will set him off and he will come looking to defend. I rarely spend much time cow calling unless I am covering miles on a slow day.
"The farther one gets into the wilderness, the greater is the attraction of its lonely freedom."