Is the elk rut on?

[Lost Arrow]

I am up working in the Grande Prairie area, I work nights and part of my job is to be checking gas leases. Two nights ago, before sunset, I ran into two herds of elk, each one was about a dozen animals. The first bunch had mostly cows and calves but there was a spike, 3, 4 and 5 point bull as well. The 4 and 5 pt bulls had no velvet. They were not calling but they would occasionally chase cows. They sparred with each other a bit but not too aggressively.
The next bunch of 12 had a 6 point bull and a spike. The 6 pt was free of velvet, his tips were white and sharp. The spike was in velvet.
Both groups were feeding in crops at the time.
My question is are they rutting now? That would put the rut almost a month early I'm thinking?
Do elk in the north part of the province start this behavior any earlier than elk in the south?

[Kurt505]

It’s the bottom half of August, in 3-4 weeks they’re going to be screamin and scrappin all over the province. It’s not unusual to see elk rut activity this time of year. They won’t be breeding but the posturing has begun.

[Lost Arrow]

Thank you Kurt-I can get down in 312 and be hunting by the 3rd but I thought for whatever the reason this year my timing might be off due to their activity. My rancher neighbor down there said that he heard them calling a few nights ago.
I appreciate the info...

[buckman]

Its the startup. The Bulls will be roaming seeing what the competition is like.

[waldedw]

Pre Rut, another week to 10 days before things really get heated up

[Speckle55]

this is off a facebook page

the young ones are sparring

the big boy's are waiting

Maligne lake road

David

[j335]

Watched a herd today with spotting scope and the bulls are now hanging out with the cows. Almost all have velvet but most bulls are rag horns. There was a 5x5 that was all horned up, no more velvet on. Was busy trashing his antlers, scraping up the ground get rutty for sure. This is around Calgary also.

[Moosetalker]

Always wish/try to be out The August 25th opener in the applicable Zones have have had more than a few bull's to come in and play those first few days, if I can find and get close to ones summer spot they rile up good but get bored/tired/overheated fast and bugger off the first few days.....Unless you can stick an arrow in them that is.

[Big Grey Wolf]

End of August best referred to as 'Pre Rut" Young bulls dreaming about a few girl friends. When large bulls are mounting cows in September the rut is on. Just like humans the girls call the shots.