{"id":3447,"date":"2025-04-25T15:56:42","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T15:56:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/?p=3447"},"modified":"2025-04-25T16:18:45","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T16:18:45","slug":"how-to-find-elk-pre-rut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/2025\/04\/25\/how-to-find-elk-pre-rut\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find Elk &#8211; Pre-Rut"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s4\">Elk can be broken down into five time periods.\u00a0 During each of these periods, Elk have distinct needs: food, water, <\/span><span class=\"s4\">security<\/span><span class=\"s4\"> and breeding. As the hunting season progresses, these needs will change in priority, and these needs will dictate where you find the elk. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\">Here are the Five Periods of Elk;<\/p><div id=\"huntt-3704542392\" class=\"huntt-mid-content huntt-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 10px;margin-right: 10px;margin-bottom: 10px;\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1669304083421411\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1669304083421411\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"4452452530\" \ndata-ad-layout=\"in-article\"\ndata-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s4\">1. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/2025\/04\/25\/how-to-find-elk-early-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"s4\">Early Season\u00a0 (<\/span><span class=\"s4\">August) <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s4\">2. Pre-Rut (Early September)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s4\">3. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/2025\/03\/26\/how-to-find-elk-peak-rut\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Peak Rut (Mid-September and into Early October)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s4\">4. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/2025\/04\/18\/how-to-find-elk-post-rut\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Post-Rut (Mid to late October)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s4\">5. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/2025\/03\/26\/how-to-find-elk-late-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Late Season (November and Beyond)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3581\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3581\" class=\"wp-image-3581 size-large lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-cal-periods-1-1024x225.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"225\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-cal-periods-1-1024x225.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-cal-periods-1-300x66.png 300w, https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-cal-periods-1-768x169.png 768w, https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-cal-periods-1-1536x337.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-cal-periods-1-2048x450.png 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/225;\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3581\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">If you want more info like this, check out our e-guide<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"s2\">Elk have 4 primary needs, food, water, sanctuary, and breeding.\u00a0 These needs fluctuate with every season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s4\">You probably already understand what is meant by food, <\/span><span class=\"s4\">water<\/span><span class=\"s4\"> and breeding as a primary need.\u00a0 But here&#8217;s a quick explanation of<\/span><span class=\"s4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/2025\/03\/24\/sanctuaries-the-\u2026ason-elk-hunting\/\"> sanctuaries<\/a>.\u00a0 These are places, due to topography, distance, and\/or blowdown, hunters just don\u2019t want to go.\u00a0 BUT, that\u2019s where the elk are going to be because they know you\u2019re not going to go there. Sanctuaries are places far away from open roads. At the same time, a sanctuary can be a ranch that doesn\u2019t allow hunting. And once rifle season starts, these are likely places elk are going to run.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"s5\">Pre-Rut<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>This Pre-Rut calendar period runs from the end of the Early Season to about September 12, plus or minus a couple of days.\u00a0 <span class=\"s8\">This is a very interesting time to be in the field hunting elk. If you\u2019re there for the entire two weeks, you will see the actions progress before your very eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3505 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Elk_Rut_Photos-10-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Elk_Rut_Photos-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Elk_Rut_Photos-10-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Elk_Rut_Photos-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Elk_Rut_Photos-10-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Elk_Rut_Photos-10-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/400;\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s8\">In the beginning of this period, food is still the key priority for bulls but not for long. Soon, the bulls will be moving toward the cows, which are going to be sitting on the most nutritious food source available. As you scout, look for recent wildfires or timber cuts because that\u2019s where the good groceries are going to be.\u00a0 The landscape dictates where the food is.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u200bHere are the Pre-Rut n<span class=\"s9\">eeds, in order of importance;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"s10\">1. <span class=\"s8\">Breeding<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"s10\">2. Food<\/div>\n<div class=\"s10\">3. <span class=\"s8\">Water<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"s10\">4. <span class=\"s8\">Sanctuary<\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3506 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/M.Parente-09275-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/M.Parente-09275-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/M.Parente-09275-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/M.Parente-09275-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/M.Parente-09275-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/M.Parente-09275-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/400;\" \/><\/div>\n<p class=\"s3\"><span class=\"s8\">By the end of this period, the bulls will be turning their attention to the ladies, and they will be on the move with o<\/span><span class=\"s8\">lder bulls (four years and older) moving into cow groups and replacing those two- and three-year-old bulls.\u00a0 If you&#8217;re seeing this, just know that the RUT is around the corner.\u00a0 Head over to the Rut Calendar Period to read all about this magical period.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"oPK8FZCKoL\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/2025\/04\/25\/how-to-find-elk-peak-rut\/\">How to Find Elk &#8211; Peak Rut<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content lazyload\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;How to Find Elk &#8211; Peak Rut&#8221; &#8212; Hunttalk Strategy Guide\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/2025\/04\/25\/how-to-find-elk-peak-rut\/embed\/#?secret=sUauv7uIy4#?secret=oPK8FZCKoL\" data-secret=\"oPK8FZCKoL\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that is can be warm during the Peak-Rut time period and meat spoilage is a real threat.\u00a0 Be sure to have a plan to get your bull gutted, gilled, and chilled as soon as possible.\u00a0 Carrying the proper <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/2025\/03\/21\/essential-gear-day-hunt-pack\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">field dressing tools<\/a> and refreshing your knowledge of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/2023\/05\/16\/gutless-method-elk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">field dressing<\/a> can help speed up the process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Elk can be broken down into five time periods.\u00a0 During each of these periods, Elk have distinct needs: food, water, security and breeding. As the hunting season progresses, these needs will change in priority, and these needs will dictate where you find the elk. Here are the Five Periods of Elk; 1. Early Season\u00a0 (August) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3016,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-elk","category-strategy"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.2 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Find Elk - Pre-Rut - Hunttalk Strategy Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Elk can be broken down into five time periods.\u00a0 During each of these periods, Elk have distinct needs: food, water, security and breeding.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/2025\/04\/25\/how-to-find-elk-pre-rut\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Find Elk - Pre-Rut\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Elk can be broken down into five time periods.\u00a0 During each of these periods, Elk have distinct needs: food, water, security and breeding.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/2025\/04\/25\/how-to-find-elk-pre-rut\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Hunttalk Strategy Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-04-25T15:56:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-25T16:18:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.hunttalk.com\/strategy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/MJP_2138012219-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Blake Phelps\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Blake Phelps\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hunttalk.com\\\/strategy\\\/2025\\\/04\\\/25\\\/how-to-find-elk-pre-rut\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hunttalk.com\\\/strategy\\\/2025\\\/04\\\/25\\\/how-to-find-elk-pre-rut\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Blake Phelps\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hunttalk.com\\\/strategy\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/23f47e2472d90f5405227fb8564c4403\"},\"headline\":\"How to Find Elk &#8211; 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