when do you go

[bnsafe]

so who goes opening day regardless of weather, rut, etc and who waits til rut
im gonna be out there early and often no matter what

[MTLongdraw]

Every possible second I can.

[Swede]

I am out for the whole enchilata. I prefer the opening days, but it is all good.

[cnelk]

I go for opening weekend to get the 'rust out' and to check status of elk conditions.
Then come back to work for 2-3 days [real productive ] and then go back and hit hard for 10 days.
Give my self a rest for 5 days then hit it hard for 3 day weekends if necessary.

Rut is a good time, pre-rut is a good time too

[JohnFitzgerald]

I usually don't make much of an effort for opening weekend. But after reading Swede's book, I'll be tree stand hunting the first two days. Then, if I don't kill my bull, I'll be chasing bugles the last two weeks.

[CrazyElkHunter]

I am out for the whole enchilata. I prefer the opening days, but it is all good.

Ditto! We get to elk camp 4 days early (archery) and stay the entire season. Retired 10 years ago and promised myself no more 2 week hunts. I like the 1st week and the last week so this solved my problem. We play a lot more horse shoes the middle 2 weeks. I have friends from the east that hunt the 1st week, drive home, and come back for the last week. I live on the west coast and would never make that 1000 + mile trip twice in 1 month. $$$$$$$

[Trophyhill]

go early and hopefully don't have to stay late

[Swede]

Trophyhill: You make a great point. I am with you on that.

[CrazyElkHunter]

go early and hopefully don't have to stay late

I shot my bull on opening day last year Aug 25th and one on Aug 29th of 2011. I still stayed the entire season to share camp and friendship with my buddies. It's my main and most important hunt of the year, and being a non resident, I want it to last as long as possible. It's a blast just being in camp. The laughs, the food, the friends. Priceless! Filled tag = Bonus

[WapitiTalk1]

Something like 5-10 SEP in WA and then the last two weeks of SEP in ID. I prefer to hunt during the full on rut but have had success in the earlier part of the season also. Yes sir, it's getting closer

[ElkNut1]

We're out there opening day, it's Tradition!!!!

ElkNut1

[eriks.]

I know I shouldn't be envious, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. It would be too cool to have the options that you westerners have. To have the time to spend the entire season like Crazyelkhunter is well...crazy!

I'll be going the last 10 days of the season this year. First time for me and am losing sleep thinking about it.

Here's to x off the days on the calendar!!

[elkmtngear]

It changes. If I had to pick two weeks, it would be the last two weeks of the Season.

This Year, I'm hunting with a guy who has scheduling issues, so I'm planning to go in Mid-September and hunt 10 days. So I will be pulling out at the beginning of the last week. Not my preference, but I've killed plenty of elk in that time frame, even with the Muzzy hunters out and about.

[mtnmutt]

First 10 days of season, including opening day, and then long weekends after that depending on work and available vacation time.

[bnsafe]

im hopin to be out the first 3 days, then plannin on a couple 3 day weekends, then takin the last week of season and goin after the bugles.

[CrazyElkHunter]

I know I shouldn't be envious, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. It would be too cool to have the options that you westerners have. To have the time to spend the entire season like Crazyelkhunter is well...crazy!

I'll be going the last 10 days of the season this year. First time for me and am losing sleep thinking about it.

Here's to x off the days on the calendar!!

Hey Erik, you don't have to be from the west to stay the entire month, you just have to be old or rich. I ain't rich! My friend and fellow Mossy Oak pro staffer from Ofallon, Mo, retired just before last season and spent his 1st entire season last year. I hate getting old, but it doe's have it's advantages.

[eriks.]

I hear ya Crazyelkhunter! For sure not rich here but getting older every day. The good Lord willing, I'll get to be a ripe, old age...or just old and ripe! I'm glad someone gets to spend the time. I'm in construction and there are autumns that I don't have much work and get to spend a lot of time in the deer woods. So I'm blessed in a lot of ways too. Seems we always want what we can't have-elk nearby that is.

Good luck this season. I'll be thinking and dreaming about the mountains til September.

[bnsafe]

hey eriks, what part of mo you from. we just moved out here from kirksville

[Lefty]

Im out every Friday night and a day Saturday, the days I can hunt, I hunt

[eriks.]

hey eriks, what part of mo you from. we just moved out here from kirksville

Odessa. I have some friends that live in that area (Danny & Amy Hartwig). He's the regional wildlife biologist out of Kirksville.

So how do you like it there? I've been trying for years to get my wife to move west. Had a thread here "Thinking about moving to Oregon" even. Some great info from some of the elknuts here.

[bnsafe]

hartwig sounds very familiar, im guessin ive met him at some point. colorado is great, but i dont have the time or money to play like i would like

[eriks.]

That's too bad Scott. Maybe you'll find a few days this year to get out and have some fun. I thought I was going to get to do some turkey hunting but work and the weather have made it impossible to get out there. It's been a miserable spring in the Midwest. Going to go from winter to summer in a matter of a few days I'm afraid.

[bnsafe]

usually does. im goin elk huntin alot if i have to quit my job. thats not negotiable. how much i get to hike and scout and fish before then is very much up in the air. but at least im here so i have the chance

[mongopino915]

Have not missed opening day yet. Always tried to get 15-18 days in the wood during elk season. Have tried the extended stay during the last two weeks but will do the extended stay the first two weeks this year. Get it done early before the elk get pressured. Hoping to relax in the back doing some calling with no pressure to make it happen comes the last two weeks.

[otcWill]

Usually hunt at least 20 days of the season but that includes shooting a deer so usually closer to 15-17 days of elk. Always the last 2 weeks of the season tagged out or not! There are always friends to help out!

[Haulin'Quarters]

I usually try to get there 2-3 days before opener to get set up and or pack in. Gives me a little time to some last minute scouting ( glassing) in before go time. The more time in the mountains the better, or away from work for that matter.

[elkoholic]

I'm out there hitting it hard from beginning to end...

[wideangle]

We set up a wall tent camp for the season. One of the bennies of being retired.

[G Posik]

Normally make the last two weeks of the season. this year with my work schedule have to go the first two weeks of Colorado bow season. Oh well will be a little bit different.

Glenn