Do elk cows go through more than one estrus during the rut?

Yes, if they don't get bred the first time.

Yup, if the head bozo doesn't get her the 1st time around. They can go through several cycles if necessary.

Placing a prediction for Colorado/central rockys elk every year, batting .500 , I am.
With the September new moon @ the 20th , I'll wager early rutting activities with an earlier peak around the 4th of October and less vocal bulls by the end of muzzle loading season ~ 1st rifle.
Banking the wager (swag) on the September new moon intensifying the shorting days.

Since you are able to observe Elk alot I want to ask you about the effect of the full moon during the Elk Rut. My Wife has a either sex Elk tag for here in Arkansas, this will be Oct. 2-5 when the Full Moon will begin but hopefully still rutting.
I hunted in NM and WY. after the rut with a full moon and it was tough but was not sure how much of that was the Moon phase or previous pressure.
Thanks

The end of muzzleloader season this year is on September 17th. Where I hunt, the peak of the rut has always been before October 4th so a peak around the 4th would be late for us.

I always felt the peak rut was Sept 20-25

Me too. And I think weather can and does effect rutting activity.

Casey

On New Year's day in 1997 we were at the Jackson Hole Elk Refuge a day after a small group of unbred cows blew in from parts unknown. Some or all of them were in estrus. Every big bull in the area went into rut............of course they were being fed at the time and it was kinda' funny watching the bulls with their little harems and staking a claim around various piles of hay.


Casey

Well if you can feel it, just think what the bulls must feel......

I get that way about Labor day and don't get back to normal until about Dec 1.

That must be how you can bust a rib, but keep on going......

I'm going to try real hard no to do that this year.

If God had wanted you to ride mules, he would've given you stouter ribs.

LOL

I only broke them once riding a mule , three that time when I baled off a runaway. The others were: falling on some wire milk crates when hanging a tent up in the garage, slipping on a snow covered log that had a short limb hidden in the snow while chasing elk, falling thru the glass in a greenhouse while fixing the glass on top. That one really hurt as I Ianded on the steam pipe, falling off hay wagon, when the stack gave away.

But you may have a point there. However,I ride a shorter mule now so I don't fall as far.

Improvise, and overcome.

Would you give me your prediction on the rut in, around the Plains, Thompson Falls area of Montana? The wife and I will be there
Late October/early November.

I believe latitude could have a lot to do with the peak of rut. I should clarify the peak of first esturs and overlapping second esturs, I believe will be early then average. Assuming that overlapping time is what drives bulls totally crazy?
And only basing this on the shortening days vs the new moon, adding what might be wet fall if the Colorado trend continues.
No idea what the Arkansas elk will be doing as far as rut goes. Again my assumption is it will be earlier then your used to. Other then a full-moon does seem to effect feeding habits. In short, making it harder to catch elk moving through transition areas (feeding ~ bedding areas). Hunting the full moon in Arkansas, It's my guess you'll be finding, elk in heavy cover during shooting hours .

Again just a swag, betting earlier then your used to.
I am fairly certain the shorting days of fall help trip bulls into rut.
A new moon added to the sharp shortening on daylight to me seems to be a mood enhancer.

Thanks for your reply.
Yes, that is my concern, we have much more cover than open.We have much more timber/thickets. There are some fields along the Buffalo River, the Game Dept allows the Ranchers to use for hay if they no till drill food plots for Deer and Elk in early Sept. Most Elk are taken close to or in those fields but the full Moon concerns me. I will say we had those conditions last year and a friend shot a nice Bull in one of those fields. Also, last year it was 90 degrees, we hope for a cool snap.