Dank Bulls elk and deer rut

by Jeremy Criddle

Hey there! Your friendly neighborhood Dank Bulls member here. I’m ready to share everything we’ve learned about hunting during the rut in Colorado. We are still learning, and our goal is to maximize Your Hunting Success: Elk and Deer Rut Strategies. As always, remember we’re just a bunch of new hunters in Colorado Springs with less than three years of experience. Think of this more as a “here’s what we’ve figured out so far.” It’s not an expert guide.

Understanding the Timing: When Things Get Spicy

Let’s talk about nature’s version of dating season. In Colorado, we’ve got this amazing opportunity. The elk rut lines up perfectly with the first two rifle seasons. Meanwhile, the mule deer are getting their groove on during the third season. It’s like Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Here you go, rookie hunters. I’m making this as obvious as possible.”

Elk Rut During First and Second Rifle Seasons

Picture this: It’s first rifle season, usually early October, and bull elk have completely lost their minds. We’re talking about 700-pound animals acting like teenagers at prom. They’re bugling, fighting, and generally being as obvious as possible about their location. For new hunters like us, this is both a blessing and a curse.

The blessing? They’re making noise and moving around a lot. The curse? We get so excited hearing them that we forget everything we’ve learned about stalking. True story: one of our members got so excited when he heard his first bugle. He tripped over his own feet and scared away the whole herd. (It’s okay, Steve, we’ve all been there… well, mostly you’ve been there.)

Second rifle season is usually the tail end of the rut. During this time, bulls are still interested, but they are getting more cautious. It’s like last call at the dance. They’re still looking for love. They are starting to remember that survival is important too.

Mule Deer in Third Season

By the time third season rolls around in November, the elk rut is over, but guess who’s getting romantic? That’s right, the mule deer. The bucks are now the ones throwing caution to the wind, which gives us a perfect opportunity to take advantage of their… let’s call it “distracted state.”

The Double-Tag Strategy: Getting Both an Elk and a Deer

We’ve learned something through trial and error. Mostly error. As Colorado residents, we can actually plan our seasons. This gives us a real shot at both elk and deer. Maximize Your Hunting Success: Elk and Deer Rut Strategies to make it work:

First Season Strategy (Early October)

• Focus on elk when they’re at peak rut
• Look for areas where you’ve scouted elk but know there are deer nearby
• Setup near wallows and meadows where elk are likely to be showing off
• Be ready for cold morning hikes and afternoon bugles

True story: We found an amazing wallow last year, set up perfectly… only to realize we were sitting downwind. Rookie mistake. The elk got a good laugh out of that one.

Second Season Backup Plan

• Still good for elk but requires more patience
• Bulls are more cautious but still responding to calls
• Start scouting deer movement patterns for third season
• Focus on transition areas between feeding and bedding zones

Third Season Magic (November)

• Primary focus shifts to rutting mule deer
• Bucks are less cautious and more visible
• Can still get an elk, but need to focus on migration routes
• Weather starts playing a bigger role in strategy

Location, Location, Location

Here’s what we’ve learned about finding these lovesick animals:

Elk Rut Hotspots

• Dark timber near meadows (they love that peek-a-boo game)
• Wallows (bachelor pad of the mountains)
• Saddles between drainages (elk highway system)
• Near water sources (everyone needs a drink after dancing)

Mule Deer Rut Areas

• Edge habitat (where forest meets meadow)
• South-facing slopes (they’re not fans of cold mornings either)
• Oak brush corridors (fast food and cover combined)
• Near agricultural areas (dinner and a date)

The Multi-Species Game Plan

Here’s our developing strategy for trying to tag both species (still perfecting this, obviously):

1. Scout During Summer

• Pattern elk herds before the season
• Note deer movement in the same areas
• Find areas where both species overlap
• Mark water sources and wallows
• Learn the terrain (your legs will thank you)

2. Early Season Focus

• Go hard after elk during first season
• Use the rut to your advantage
• Don’t ignore deer sign, but prioritize elk
• Remember your wind direction (unlike Steve)

3. Mid-Season Adjustment

• If you get your elk early, switch to scouting deer
• If no elk, keep at it but start noting deer patterns
• Begin identifying deer rut sign
• Stay flexible with locations

4. Late Season Push

• Focus on rutting deer
• Look for elk in migration areas
• Be prepared for weather changes
• Pack extra hand warmers (trust us on this one)

Lessons We’ve Learned The Hard Way

1. Don’t Try to Do Everything at Once

• Focus on one species at a time
• Have a plan but be flexible
• Success = being in the right place at the right time
• Failure = trying to be everywhere at once

2. Weather Matters

• Early season: Be ready for warm weather
• Late season: Pack for winter
• Always pack rain gear (always!)
• Weather affects animal movement more than your comfort

3. Calling Strategy

• Early rut: Be aggressive with elk calls
• Late rut: Tone it down
• Deer: Less is more
• When in doubt, shut up and listen

The Great Tag Dilemma

One thing we’ve learned at Dank Bulls: Planning your tags is as important as planning your hunts. As Colorado residents, we have some advantages:

• Over-the-counter elk tags for second and third rifle seasons
• Draw possibilities for first season
• Deer tags through the draw system
• Various combo opportunities depending on the unit

Join Our Learning Adventure

If you’re in the Colorado Springs area, you might be thinking, “Hey, these folks sound just clueless enough to be fun.” If so, you might be Dank Bulls material. We’re always looking for other new hunters to learn and grow with.

Email us at [email protected] if you want to join a group where:

• Mistakes are learning opportunities
• Questions are always welcome
• Experience is measured in “oops” moments
• Everyone shares what they learn

Final Thoughts

Remember, every successful hunter started somewhere. We’re still at the beginning of our journey, but we’re learning more every season. The key is to get out there. Be safe and be ethical. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them.

And hey, if you see someone in the woods trying to bugle, that’s probably one of us. They’re likely stepping on every branch in Colorado. Feel free to stop by and say hi – we could probably use the help!

Written by a proud member of Dank Bulls, where we’re turning confusion into confidence, one season at a time. Remember, we’re not experts – we’re just sharing our journey so others can learn from our mistakes… or at least feel better about their own!