Elk Rut

[PremiumBeef]

When is the average rut for elk in central Colorado. I am trying to plan an archery trip for 2011 and would like to time it to coincide as close to the rut as possible.

[whitetailtrax]

I hunt in Montana and not Colorado, but from what I understand from the literature and talking to people, the elk rut in the Rocky Mountain states is pretty similar throughout the range. In Montana the first week of September is the start of the rut and it continues through about the 3rd week in October. Weather can and does play a huge role in how active the animals are especially with high temps in September and cold/snow in October. If I were coming to the Rocky Mountains to hunt elk in the rut and only had one week, I would probably come during the second or third weeks of September. However, anytime between September 1 and October 20th would work. Hope that helps. Maybe somebody in Colorado can chime in.

[m gardner]

I lived there and hunted there and the best time is usually the 2nd or 3rd week of september for the rut. That'll give you a bowhunt or muzzleloader hunt. They are huntable anytime though even when they aren't in rut. We like to rifle hunt 4th season when the bulls are grouped up and resting and feeding heavily. The tags are easy to draw and the hunts are not crowded in most areas.

[Phredator]

The rut usually doesn't get going full tilt until the last ten days of archery season. I'll call it about the 17th of Sept until Sept 26. Keep in mind that in units that receive a lot of hunting pressure bulls will be bugle shy. I did hear a 'vocalization' on the Grand Mesa yesterday while fishing, they are thinking about it for sure. I prefere the first week of archery hunting myself in Colorado, before they have been busted out of their patterns. A tree stand over a water hole or wallow can be very effective.