Calling Elk Last Season

[JohnFitzgerald]

This year was a slow year for bugling. Seems like every bull, rag and bigger, had cows. Thus we had to hunt the later season with completely different tactics than what we usually use. Instead of bugling big all day, we\'d bugle big 1/2 hour before/after light and pick up several locations. Full moons and hot days bedded the elk early and raised them late. Once we picked up a few locations, we\'d move in with early season cold calling tactics. Not necessary new ideas, but a few stood out this year.

1. In order to challenge a herd bull, you must be inside their comfort zone. We closed the gap on the \"Recker\" but misjudged and started the pressure way to far out. Results......he came within 70 yards and presented a shot but no arrow was released.

2. Although rag horns can function as herd bulls, they dont always act like herd bulls. In fact they are more likely to run their cows than fight.

3. Lone and juvenile bulls, like spikes, are called in very easy. Just remember to use basic elk calling rules(i.e. Do not call from a position that the elk can get a good look at you)

What did you all see?
JF

 

[iccyman001]

This year was a slow year for bugling. Seems like every bull, rag and bigger, had cows. Thus we had to hunt the later season with completely different tactics than what we usually use. Instead of bugling big all day, we\'d bugle big 1/2 hour before/after light and pick up several locations. Full moons and hot days bedded the elk early and raised them late. Once we picked up a few locations, we\'d move in with early season cold calling tactics. Not necessary new ideas, but a few stood out this year.

1. In order to challenge a herd bull, you must be inside their comfort zone. We closed the gap on the \"Recker\" but misjudged and started the pressure way to far out. Results......he came within 70 yards and presented a shot but no arrow was released.

2. Although rag horns can function as herd bulls, they dont always act like herd bulls. In fact they are more likely to run their cows than fight.

3. Lone and juvenile bulls, like spikes, are called in very easy. Just remember to use basic elk calling rules(i.e. Do not call from a position that the elk can get a good look at you)

What did you all see?
JF

JF,
I ran into the situations you did. Lots of smaller bulls with cows, heat keeping them bedded longer and later into the evening....

Most of the bugling I caught was early morning until about 930.
It would be the bulls with a cow or a few cows that were responding to me.

In the beginning of my encounters I attempted hitting them with challenged bugles, but like you said, they ran off with their cows instead of fighting.


So after that happened twice, I got into them and tried cow calling. This kept them vocal,but I also ran the risk of the cows running off and the bull following. I know how some cows don\'t want more to join them.


I tried cold calling sequences and had no success where I was.
This could have been me just sucking, no elk around at the time, or maybe a mixture of both. :wave:

 

[Swede]

For the last week of the season, the only bulls I could find were on the ranch, and they were with cows. They were at least 1/4 mile away. I could get them to respond at any time of day, but they stayed on private property and just bugled. I was by myself and could not threaten or persuade them to move my way.