Elk hunting is a rewarding experience, but knowing the best times of day to hunt can make all the difference between success and coming home empty-handed. Elk are creatures of habit, and factors like temperature, moon phases, and weather conditions influence their movement. In this guide, we’ll explain the best times to hunt elk, how different environmental conditions impact their behavior, and give you our recommendation on when you should hunt.

When Should You Hunt Elk?

We’ll just jump straight into it. Elks are most active during the early morning and late evening. This is because they are crepuscular animals, meaning they move the most during twilight hours to feed and travel between bedding and feeding areas. So, when is the best time to do it?

Morning Hunts (Dawn to Mid-Morning – Recommended)

This is often the best time to hunt elk. As the sun rises, elk move from open feeding areas back to their bedding spots in thick timber or brush. Hunters who get to their location early and set up near travel routes can intercept them on their way. I know it may be hard sometimes to get up early and hike to your hunting spot, but this is the best time to do it.

Evening Hunts (Late Afternoon to Dusk)

Just before sunset, elk begin moving from their bedding areas back to feeding zones. If you position yourself near a meadow, ridge, or water source, you can have excellent opportunities to spot them.

Midday (Not Ideal, But Possible)

During midday, elk tend to rest in shaded, wooded areas. However, if there is cloud cover, cooler temperatures, or hunting pressure, they may move around more than usual.

How Temperature Affects Elk Movement

Elk are highly sensitive to temperature, and their behavior changes with the seasons. When temperatures are warm, elk will limit movement during the day and primarily travel in the cooler hours of the morning and evening. This is typically between September and October. As temperatures drop, elk become more active throughout the day because they need to eat more to maintain body heat. This cold weather is during November-December. Now, the ideal hunting season for elk is between October and November in Utah

In hot, dry weather, elk will often go to water sources during morning or midday hours to cool off. In Utah, we can have really dry weather at times, so this happens more often. During extremely cold days, elk will move more frequently, even during midday, in search of food.

Moon Phases and Their Impact on Elk Hunting

You probably didn’t think the moon impacts elk, but it does. The moon plays a significant role in how elk behave at night, which directly affects their activity levels during the day. Let's explain!

Full Moon: When there is more light, elk tend to feed more at night since they have better visibility. This means they are less active in the morning and evening.
New Moon: With less light at night, elk are more active during daylight hours, giving hunters a better chance of spotting them in the morning and evening.
Crescent or Half Moon: Early morning and late evening are still the best times of day to hunt.

As a general rule, the brighter the night, the less daytime movement you'll see. The darker the night, the more daytime movement you’ll see.

How Weather Conditions Affect Elk Movement

Elk respond to different weather conditions in ways that can either help or challenge hunters. Here’s how:

Rainy Weather: Light to moderate rain can be an excellent time to hunt elk. The moisture dampens noise, making it easier to move undetected. Elk may also move more because they believe fewer hunters will be out. However, elk tend to hunker down in thick cover during heavy rain. There is always a trick to hunting in the rain and once you figure it out its amazing.
Windy Conditions: Elk rely on their sense of smell to detect danger. When the wind is strong and inconsistent, they may stay in sheltered areas. If the wind is steady, use it to your advantage by staying downwind to prevent elk from catching your scent.
Snowfall: Light snow can increase elk movement since they need to forage more, but heavy snowstorms may cause them to stay bedded until it clears.
Cold, Clear Days: These can be excellent for hunting because elk will move more during the day to feed and keep warm.
Foggy Days: Reduced visibility can make hunting more challenging, but elk often move slower and may be easier to stalk.

Hunting Strategies for Success

To increase your chances of a successful hunt, consider these key strategies:

Stay Close to the Herd: Keeping within a reasonable distance of an elk herd increases your opportunities for a successful shot.
Adjust Your Position Based on Thermals and Winds: Elk have an excellent sense of smell, so always be mindful of changing wind patterns.
Use Calls Effectively: Sounding like a lost cow or a subordinate satellite bull can draw in elk, making them more likely to come within range.

Final Thoughts

Understanding elk behavior concerning time of day, temperature, moon phases, and weather conditions is key to a successful hunt in Utah. The best strategy is to be out in the field early in the morning and late in the evening, especially during cooler days and darker moon phases. Keep an eye on weather changes and adapt your approach based on elk movement patterns. By planning your hunt around these factors and using effective hunting techniques, you’ll increase your chances of a successful and rewarding elk-hunting experience. But now you know The Best Times of Day to Hunt Elk

Best Times of Day to Hunt Elk