Generally in Colorado the peak of the rut takes place three days either side of September 17th. And generally it is the latter. So taking this as the starting point, let's divide the season before this date and after this date of September 17th.

With the opening of the season generally the last weekend of August, the weather is still very warm. The cows, calves, and some spike bulls are at a lower elevation than the bigger bulls. They will be generally found in the grassy areas where the aspen and fir are mixed. The bigger bulls, on the other hand will tend to be more at timberline areas. The rut hasn't begun yet and usually this weekend the woods is still full of hikers, bikers, climbers, etc. It may or may not be Labor Day weekend but the weather is still generally nice enough to bring out the "tourists." This is not a god time to hunt in my opinion and I would shy away from opening weekend unless you want a scouting workout.

As we approach the second week of the season moving toward the 17th, the smaller bulls will start to move down from the higher elevations and rounding up cows. At this time the smaller bulls are generally fairly easy to call in with cow calls as they are looking to attract a harem of their own. Most of these bulls will be 4x4's and will be light-horned. What are commonly called "rag-horn" bulls. They may "talk" a good talk and fool you once in awhile.

Around the 12th to the 15th of the month the bigger bulls will move down the mountain and take the harems away that the smaller bulls have collected and begin to round up any stray cows. This is the best time to call in larger bulls with a cow call as they are actively searching out cows to add to their harem.

Once the rut gets into full swing, it becomes almost impossible to call the herd bulls away from their cows. It's the "bird in the hand" thing. If you are search for a big bull at this time one of the best ways to get them is see where they are traveling and head them off in an "ambush." But that doesn't mean you can't get them to come in. But it takes very aggressive calling to do that. What I mean by aggressive calling is to move in close to the herd bull (and I mean close). You may need to get as close as 50 yards and then challenge him with aggressive bugles and brush crack and tree scraping with a stout stick. Because you get so close, they may come into you to move you off but there is always the chance they will pick up their cows and run. And another bad thing about hunting in this close is that you may be spotted by any number of cows that may be between you and the bull. It's a chancy way to hunt but it can be extremely exciting.

After the rut has begun then if you sty on the fringes of the herd and cow call you will often get one of the "satellite" or "rag horn" bulls to come and investigate. They are constantly cruising the outskirts of the herd looking for a stray cow that they can try and breed. but beware, these smaller bulls will come in quiet and will always try to get downwind from you. So it requires careful attention and good scent control. When hunting like this it's always best to have a partner close to the herd as possible and another partner 50 yards or so away from you and the herd. This way you can often intercept these smaller bulls before they get downwind of you.

So you see, it is really a crap-shoot as to the best time to hunt. So what the heck, I hunt every day that I can all season long. Sure makes it easier.

The 5x5 in the photo was taken three days before the season ended in 1999. He was all alone and bugling. I snuck up a trail until I saw his legs about 80 yards ahead of me and cow called once, throwing the call off to my left. He walked right to where the call sounded like it was coming from giving me a perfect 27 yard shot at him. He went 52 yards from where I shot him.

Good hunting and keep those broadheads sharp!
John Maynard

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