Str8Shot Report post Posted September 17, 2015 What does "rut" mean exactly? I thought it was when the Bulls were chasing cows and bugling and fighting The Rut is all you listed through all breeding phases... However the rubbing , fighting and herding/pushing cows are considered by most pre-rut ... with The first breeding phase the actual start , when the cows go into estrus ( typically started with the start of overnight freezing temps) the rut kicks into gear .... It is like making an addict run around for a few weeks in search of the fix he wants then opening a big bag of meth on the counter for him. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
creed_az_88 Report post Posted September 17, 2015 Str8shot are you saying that overnight freezing Temps cause the cows to go into estrous? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost85 Report post Posted September 17, 2015 Str8shot are you saying that overnight freezing Temps cause the cows to go into estrous? when temperatures suddenly drop it seems to ignite the rut for some reason. i doubt if it has anything to do with pushing cows into estrous or anything, as that is most likely based on a specific time frame. For some reason the bulls really seem to feel froggy at the first freeze 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Str8Shot Report post Posted September 17, 2015 I am saying that from my experience living in AZ all my life and from what I have seen and been taught ... The drop of temps and onset of the first freeze usually coincided with the first estrus... The hotter the Sept.. the later the rut. Just saying remember cows are in estrus for less than a day and can go through 3 or 4 cycles... The rut can last as long as 40 days depending on if cows are still going unbred and into other estrus cycles... that is why the satellite bulls hang around to try and pick up what is being overlooked or not gotten to Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MT_Sourdough Report post Posted September 17, 2015 I haven't been in 27 and I am not the expert on "what is" and "what is not" official rutting behavior, but in the 3 different districts that I have been spending time in, the bulls were sounding off right up to opening archery, but have quieted back down since the start of archery bull. I wasn't out there on Thursday or over the weekend, but Monday and Tuesday have been dead quiet. Lot's of vultures out there, so I am guessing some people got lucky. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Str8Shot Report post Posted September 17, 2015 ^^^^^ Once Those First Elk Hunts start EVERYDAY is a GOOD DAY FOR THE CROWS ^^^^^^^ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost85 Report post Posted September 17, 2015 they stop sounding off when the season first starts because of the hundreds of hoochie mama calls sounding off 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted September 17, 2015 they stop sounding off when the season first starts because of the hundreds of hoochie mama calls sounding off I went in to a draw yesterday where I had seen cows the day before, I think they were getting out of the wind. I don't bugle at all cause I just am horrible but I do pack a reed just for a cow mew. Sitting there just watching when I hear a noise above me, I slowly rotate to take a peek and there is a man with two kids standing with him, they had come down the draw from a road above me. I waved hi they waved back and I turned around to keep watching and to try and hint that I was not going anywhere. The man puts a bugle of some sort up.....blows on it......sounding just like the horn on my car......then they turn around and leave. I am perfectly fine with people trying to bugle and learn the talk.....but you might be on to something there......kind of like trained coyotes that have been called........ I have thoroughly enjoyed the hunt up to this point(except the 30 mph wind swirls)....I love still stalking....I have seen 3 huge mule deer, turkey and yes....some elk too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.270 Report post Posted September 17, 2015 there is always one morning every year about this time that you can tell the seasons changed. might not even be any colder, it just feels different. if you've been in that neck o' the woods much and pay attention, you know when it happens. talked to a good friend up there this morning. he said that day was yesterday, and today felt right too. hang on, things are gonna get exciting. even if the weather stays warm, the cows still get in cycle. all the stuff about first frost and this and that is just folks blowin' gas. elk are gonna breed every year. i don't care if it doesn't freeze until november, they're gonna breed. when you are archery elk hunting you hafta hunt 24-7. you can't wait until 5 and get up, if you ain't in the middle of it by 3 or 4, you're missing the best part o' the day. you should be in em and be decided on what bunch you are gonna chase by 3 am at the latest. move slow in the darkest part of the dark, look and listen, watch em in the open with your binos, pay attention to the wind as you can and move with em. sometime you might just roll up by a log and take a nap if they are just running around in one place. but be ready to move when you have to. you can sleep when the season is over. it ain't a cake walk. it's hard work on the best day. good luck. Lark. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Non-Typical Solutions Report post Posted September 17, 2015 You are right Lark...I went to work today to recover from 6 straight days........too old for that much fun.......it has been a blast so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted September 17, 2015 there is always one morning every year about this time that you can tell the seasons changed. might not even be any colder, it just feels different. if you've been in that neck o' the woods much and pay attention, you know when it happens. talked to a good friend up there this morning. he said that day was yesterday, and today felt right too. hang on, things are gonna get exciting. even if the weather stays warm, the cows still get in cycle. all the stuff about first frost and this and that is just folks blowin' gas. elk are gonna breed every year. i don't care if it doesn't freeze until november, they're gonna breed. when you are archery elk hunting you hafta hunt 24-7. you can't wait until 5 and get up, if you ain't in the middle of it by 3 or 4, you're missing the best part o' the day. you should be in em and be decided on what bunch you are gonna chase by 3 am at the latest. move slow in the darkest part of the dark, look and listen, watch em in the open with your binos, pay attention to the wind as you can and move with em. sometime you might just roll up by a log and take a nap if they are just running around in one place. but be ready to move when you have to. you can sleep when the season is over. it ain't a cake walk. it's hard work on the best day. good luck. Lark. this got me fired up like a pre game pep talk. i think it even moved 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted September 17, 2015 I blame it on the drought 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattys281 Report post Posted September 17, 2015 27 is a great elk unit with some prime habitat. The deer and elk there are fat and healthy for a reason. They are there! If theyre having a hard time getting in on calling, then change tactics. I know about a dozen wallows in creeks up there that have wallows that are beat down. Put up a blind or stand and get comfy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Str8Shot Report post Posted September 17, 2015 My grandpa always said once the Bulls start Mounting the Cows ( pretty much his definition as well as many as the real start of the rut ) if the nights are lit up by the moon , that most of the activity will take place through the night into the early morning.... Once the bugles stop the bulls are moving into the thicker stuff to rest .... Find water and push through the trees during mid day and you will often find them. IT always seemed to work for him. What would you be doing during the day if you had worked over a harem of females all night long? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted September 18, 2015 My grandpa always said once the Bulls start Mounting the Cows ( pretty much his definition as well as many as the real start of the rut ) if the nights are lit up by the moon , that most of the activity will take place through the night into the early morning.... Once the bugles stop the bulls are moving into the thicker stuff to rest .... Find water and push through the trees during mid day and you will often find them. IT always seemed to work for him. What would you be doing during the day if you had worked over a harem of females all night long? i have a hard enough time rounding 1 up to work over. i cant imagine a whole harem 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
