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?

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Hey guys,
Thanks for the replys. Appreciate the info.

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.

Always seems to be 12-4 AM after Bow season.

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