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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68 |
I just reserved a landowner permit in New Mexico for elk.
Total newbie to elk hunting, but I feel fairly confident when it comes to Alaska hunting, so I'm hoping it translates fairly well. This will be basically DIY.
The first bridge to cross is scheduling. I can pretty much do it when I want and I want to do it in the rut.
The third week of September seems to be bit of a rule of thumb I've seen when other folks have asked this question - but they are generally asking about states to the north. Not sure how much difference that makes?
So my default schedule would be in the week of Sept 17-24. I can do the next week just as easily.
Anybody have any suggestions?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,417
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,417 |
3rd-4th week in September...they will still be bugling after that, but won't be as aggressive to the call. That's been my experience with elk there.
Good luck!
You only live once, but...if you do it right, once is enough.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 18,915
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 18,915 |
With those dates I asume you are hunting with a bow? I would think the week you picked would get you pretty close anywhere in the state.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,104
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,104 |
For most of the bow season, bulls will come to a decent caller. By the time that the muzzle loader hunt starts, they are bugling but will not usually come to a call. You can still locate them by bugling and hearing them bugle back, but you can't just set up and call and wait for them. They are usually still talking during the first rifle season, but pretty much quit prior to the second rifle hunt. I will hasten to add that it does vary some, especially if you get weird weather during your hunt.
Ben
Some days it takes most of the day for me to do practically nothing...
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,002
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,002 |
Two years ago I bowhunted in the Lincoln Nat'l Forest. Sept. 10-15, bulls were screaming their heads off, so loud and frequent during the night that it was difficult to sleep in camp. They were readily coming to calls, and had cows gathered up already.
I'd rather be a free man in my grave, than living as a puppet or a slave....
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,862
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,862 |
The biologist told me it is always 14-21 of September, but I have heard them the first week of September and the second week of October. I would go the 3rd and 4th week as said if the choice were mine. Good luck!
Good Shooting!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68
Campfire Greenhorn
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OP
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68 |
Hey guys, Thanks for the replys. Appreciate the info.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,034
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,034 |
They were still screaming the first week in Oct last year. I hunk that it was the end of the end at that time. I called in a couple of bulls and whacked one. Both were rags but bulls ntl. I would say mid sept would be great.
Joseph
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,263
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,263 |
Always seems to be 12-4 AM after Bow season.
"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,520
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,520 |
I would have to go with Sept 12-22. Whether the rut is early or late, this should be on spot. I have seen them screaming and chasing cows mid August, and I have seen them going nuts mid Oct. Last year, I didnt hear a bugle after Sept. 22.
Toby Joe
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