Elk rut peak
Contributors to this thread:New Mexico
From: Dale06
29-Jul-20
When would you say the peak elk rut occurs in NM in hunting area 36?
From: ohiohunter
29-Jul-20
Sunday sept 20th about 9:34am give or take 2min
From: Dale06
29-Jul-20
Thanks, my hunt starts Sept 20th, at sun up.
From: HDE
29-Jul-20
But I think since this year is a Covid year, it's closer to Sept 31st.
From: Dyjack
30-Jul-20
All the bugles are going to be really muffled behind their masks. At least it'll be easier to sneak up on socially distanced bulls.
From: ohiohunter
30-Jul-20
What hunt starts on the 20th? Bow season ends the 24th. The elk will be active pretty much all september, satellites can be trophies. You'll have bugles in August.
From: Norseman
30-Jul-20
23rd to 25th
From: Dale06
31-Jul-20
Hunt is five days, private land, Sept 20 thru 24.
From: Dyjack
31-Jul-20
If it's on a big private ranch with minimal pressure I'd expect them to be screaming and callable mid august August into mid/late October.
From: Dale06
31-Jul-20
Thanks Dyjack, it’s supposedly 40,000 acres private ranch.
From: Dyjack
01-Aug-20
It'll probably be a blast then if the outfit is good. Enjoy!
From: ohiohunter
01-Aug-20
Hold on to your hat and be mentally prepared for action! That’s a big azz ranch, you hunting the rez?
From: Dale06
01-Aug-20
Supposedly a private non rez ranch.
From: ohiohunter
02-Aug-20
Should be an awesome hunt, I wouldn’t be the least bit concerned about peak rut... you’ll be in it. All I can say is aside from the obvious, work on your mental preparedness the best you can. I’ve been so focused on pounding the mountain trying to find elk that when I have one in front of me I’m a wreck. Don’t get me wrong the rush is great but this year I’m gonna try not to get tunnel vision and black out LOL. GOOD LUCK!
From: Dale06
02-Aug-20
Thanks ohiohunter. I’m really pumped about this hunt. I’ve killed five elk with bow, but all but one last year in Colo were a long time ago. This year taking my son on his first elk hunt. That will really make it special, if he gets one.
From: ohiohunter
02-Aug-20
I’m sure you’ll both have multiple opportunities.
From: JSW
11-Aug-20
There is a difference between the "peak of the rut" and the best time to kill a big bull. If by peak of the rut you mean when most of the cows come into heat then in most areas the 18-24 would probably be your best bet. I really like the activity you get leading up to the peak. That is when you have the most big bulls still sniffing around for the first hot cow.
Bull to cow ratio makes a big difference. If there are plenty of bulls you will get more rutting activity long before the first cow gets bred. If you are hunting low densities and low ratios, you will see and hear less activity early.
From: Dale06
11-Aug-20
Thanks JSW.
From: bad bob
13-Aug-20
the back end of the rut imo has moved into the first week of oct...i dont know if the first week of the rut has moved back...my thinking is partially based on the draw odds ...if i remember right the early archery hunts were tuff to draw...now its the last 2 weeks in sept that are tuff...and this year the nmgf has cut tags for muzz hunts the 1st week in oct...wouldnt surprise me if nmgf extended archery into oct
From: Norseman
23-Aug-20
In my experience the craziness with fighting and satellite bulls dodgering the herd all day long starts around Sept 20 and peaks around the 25th.
From: Norseman
23-Aug-20
From: Camcudde
03-Sep-20
What outfitter you going with? Did you draw that tag? Good luck!
From: Dale06
04-Sep-20
Camcuddle, going with bucks and bulls. Booked through WTA, formerly Cabelas. It’s a land owner tag, on 40,000 acres private ranch.
From: Camcudde
05-Sep-20
Awesome! Good luck! I am doing a landowner Hunt as well..
From: Dale06
06-Sep-20
Good luck and let us know how you do on your hunt.
