Rut drought SE Idaho

[Backcountry_HDO]

Anyone else experiencing this? Bulls are basically "there"

No chasing, one bugle in a week. We've also gotten snow 2 days ago, now it's sunny at 65

Currently sitting on a couple to see what they do lol

 

[d_wit22]

We were in units 77,78 12 days ago and it was dead! Not on bugle all week. Thought maybe we were early but sounds like they just aren't talking?

 

[Pokoki]

I have a cabin in Island Park (zone 61). I drew on a rifle bull tag that opens Oct 1.

I hiked all over the place Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Nothing is herded up yet. I saw several small groups of cows (2 to 4).

I still have not heard a screaming bugle yet.

The only positive thing...not a sign of the wolf pack any where.

 

[DDB TX]

Saw a nice 6x6 and a harem of about a dozen cows, between Etna, WY and Alpine, WY., (a mile or 2 east of SE Idaho) about 100 yards off of Hwy 89, in an alfalfa field. They were still there a few hours later on the way home. Seemed early for them to be down that low. We are just getting some yellow in the Aspens.

 

[NotLongRange]

I was out last week in southern Wyoming and it was relatively quiet. Things did pick up Saturday (Fall Equinox), but it was a fairly quiet pre-rut week.

 

[Rebell]

I don't have a ID elk tag but after watching my grandson play some fall baseball at Dawson College I drove to Casper to help another grandson hunt antelope. Today I saw 3 big bulls in the back of pickups. All big bulls with one outstanding bull north of Colstrip MT.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Over the last 30 years of archery hunting... Yes lots of times. Sometimes they are going crazy the beginning of September and sometimes it doesn't start till October.

 

[Sockeye66]

Over the last 30 years of archery hunting... Yes lots of times. Sometimes they are going crazy the beginning of September and sometimes it doesn't start till October.

This is exactly what I'm seeing/hearing, first few days the bulls were talking but the last two weeks have been quiet.

 

[Korhil78]

I just got back from my New Mexico Gila elk hunt and it was terrible. I think we heard a total of 3 bugles in 7 days. Saw some elk but they were just too far to get one with a bow when they are not bugling. I have had 9 elk hunts in New Mexico and this was the worst that I have seen it.

 

[William W.]

I just got back from my New Mexico Gila elk hunt and it was terrible. I think we heard a total of 3 bugles in 7 days. Saw some elk but they were just too far to get one with a bow when they are not bugling. I have had 9 elk hunts in New Mexico and this was the worst that I have seen it.

See any Illegals … and I don't mean four-legged species?

 

[Korhil78]

Too far north but, we are releasing them all as they come in so there's that!

 

[Gamesniper19]

I am in N Idaho - very few bugles...when they do they lack aggression. Just starting to see bulls herd up with cows. Archery in the panhandle is closed as of Saturday. This is probably 5 to 6 years in a row the rut has started at the end of the season. Might wanna think about making seasons later IDFG...keep up with the times

 

[sp6x6]

The big groups I was around 2 weeks ago where bugling.The smaller 6-12 type not as much but herd bugles most days for 20 days.I passed a smaller weird bull, got in on 3 -6x6,3 days in a row but got swirly wind. The last bull I was on was a young 6x6,he was bedded 200 from me ,but cows where in way of stalkHe answered me 6 times but all while bedded, but it was mid morning. I found him by his bugling

 

[Backcountry_HDO]

Update:

Picked up on Sunday and had a major rut fest. Bulls fighting and chasing each other. Had atleast 6 bulls going at it.

Unfortunately they kept moving around and we couldn't get in close.

Got back last night and since Sunday, one bugle. Weird year.