The Elk Rut
By T.R. Michels, TrinityMountain Outdoors
Elk Rut Phases
 As a result of my elk research studies in 2001 and 2002 I recognized 5 different elk Rut Phases:
Pre-Rut Phase, First Breeding Phase / BuglingPeak, First Rest Phase / Bugling Lull, Second Breeding Phase / BuglingPeak, Second Rest Phase / Bugling Lull, and Third Breeding Phase / BuglingPeak. As with
White-tailed deer, the timing of these phases will vary in different areas, and the different phases may overlap each other, depending on the ages of the bulls and cows.
Pre-RutPhase (mid-August to the first week of September)
Bulls older than 4 year old may start shedding their velvet and bugling as early as mid-August. By the first week of September 3 year old bulls may start bugling,
and by mid-September 2 year old bulls may start bugling. The bulls bugle at this time to express dominance, and to attract cows. Cows over the age of 3 may come into estrus as early as the first week of
September. The cows and calves begin to gather into herds with herd bulls at this time, with one or more other bulls hanging around the edges of the herd. The herd bulls often bugle frequently during this
phase as they try to drive off other bulls around the herd. These other bulls may bugle in response to the herd bull as they challenge the herd bull for breeding rights and try to attract any cows that are
willing to leave the herd, or any cows that re not yet with a herd. Studies have shown that 2 and 3 year old bulls often form bull groups during the rut, and may not rejoin the cow herds during the rut; 1 year
old bulls may stay with the cow herds until peak breeding, when they may be drive out by the herd bulls.
First Breeding Phase / BuglingPeak(first to third week of September)
From the first to the third week of September most of the 3 year old cows will come into estrus,
and the herd bulls will continue to bugle to attract the cows and keep them nearby, while at the same time answering the bugles of the bulls hanging round the edges of the herd. Bulls also bugle frequently
after they approach a cow that is coming into estrus but is not yet willing to stand for breeding. The bulls may do this as a way of familiarizing the cows to their bugles, which may result in the cows
recognizing the bull as the herd bull. All of this bugling usually lead to an early bugling peak at this time.
First Rest Phase / Bugling Lull (second week of September to first week of October)
 There is usually a lull in bugling acvitvity in late September, which may be a result of the herd bulls
becoming exhausted from breeding, and chasing , sparring and fighting to maintain their breeding rights. Unlike whitetail bucks, that may not be seen during the rest phase
(because they often retreat to their core areas during the rest phase), bull elk often remain with the cows at this time. This is often when the previously subdominant 4 year old bulls
may try to join the herd. Some herd bulls may be driven away from the cow herds during or at this time; and they may move to secure bedding areas and food sources, often well
away from the cow herds. Yearling bulls may begin to rejoin cow herds at this time.
Second Breeding Phase / BuglingPeak (first to third week of October)
Three to four weeks after the primary breeding phase occurs there may be a second breeding phase, as some of the younger cows come into estrous for the first time, and the older that did not
conceive the first time come into estrous again. Herd bulls are often less willing to fight at this time because they are worn out form herding, breeding and driving off other bulls, unless they are older
dominants that did not participate in breeding earlier. As their testosterone rises at this time the 2-3 year old bulls begin to bugle more frequently. Some of the 2 year old bulls may rejoin the cow herds at
this time, probably because they are not a threat for the older bulls. However, one study shows that 3 year old bulls may only rarely be found with the herds from late August through the third week of
October, probably because they are a threat to the herd bulls, but are not big or strong enough yet to challenge the herd bulls for dominance. Again, bulls bugle frequently when they follow cows that are
near estrus, but are not ready to be mounted yet. This combined activity may lead to the highest bugling peak of the breeding season.
Second Rest Phase/ Bugling Lull (after the third week of October)
By late October many of the original herd bulls may have left, or been drive away from the cow herds. The previously dominant herd bulls may become solitary or form small bachelor groups that
remain together through the winter, or until they migrate. After all the fighting, chasing and breeding of the rut, the former heard bulls are worn out, hungry, and in need of food to supply enough fat to get
them through the winter. They look for secure places to rest, and may relocate to secluded bedding and feeding areas, where they seek high quality food sources. One study shows that bulls often winter
at higher elevations than cows.
Third Breeding Phase / BuglingPeak(late October to early November)
My studies show that there may be a third bugling peak, which may be the result of unbred yearling and 2 year old cows coming into estrus for the first time, or unbred cows of any age coming
estrus again. As during the previous phases, bull elk will bugle as they follow cows that are coming into estrus. Studies also show that a decrease in testosterone levels of bulls during the later stages of
the rut may cause an increase in rut related activity, which may result in an increase of bugling activity at this time.
During my studies I noted a Third Bugling Lull and a Fourth Bugling Peak. However, I do not know if this occurs in all herds, and I doubt that the average hunter would recognize these phases if they did occur.
If you are interested in more hunting tips, or more elk biology and behavior, click on Trinity Mountain Outdoor News and T.R.'s Hunting Tips at www.TRMichels.com. If you have questions about elk log on
to the T.R.'s Tips message board. To find out when peak elk bugling occurs in your area click on Peak Elk Bugling.
This article is an excerpt from the Elk Addict's Manual ($14.95 + $5.00 S&H), by T.R. Michels. T.R. Michels is a nationally recognized game researcher/wildlife behaviorist, outdoor writer and speaker. He
is the author of the Whitetail, Elk, Duck & Goose, and Turkey Addict's Manuals. His latest products are the 2003 Revised Edition of the Whitetail Addict's Manual, the 2003 Revised Edition of the Elk
Addict's Manual; and the 2003 Revised Edition of the Duck & Goose Addict's Manual. For a catalog of books and other hunting products contact:T.R. Michels, Trinity Mountain Outdoors, PO Box 284,
Wanamingo, MN55983, USA. Phone: 507-824-3296, E-mail: TRMichels@yahoo.com , Internet Site: www.TRMichels.com
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