Early season bugling

S

Septemberluvr

New member
Jan 8, 2013
43
What are y'all's thoughts on bugling early in the season? I have typically waited until sometime around mid September to start bugling.  Have you had success in late August and the first week of September getting responses to bugles? Wonder if I might be missing some opportunities!!  I hunt in CO.  Season opens 8/29.....  Woohoo!
 
I've definitely had luck bugling in the first week in september with locator bugles and for calling bulls in. It varies from year to year.  It seems you don't have as many responses early season, but the responses you do get are either starting to round up cows and are sometimes very willing to come in,  or are curious and come in silent to see who is makin all the noise.
 
I hunt oregon and season starts a week earlier than yours.  Last season we had multiple bulls respond to bugles on opening day and we r pretty sure we could hear antlers crackin together as we snuck in closer to set up.  had 2different bulls in close and moderately aggressive.  By Labor Day we had serious rutting activity with a big herd bull fighting off satellites and coming in fast and angry to us.  Everything seemed earlier than usual but over the years this seems to happen on occasion for us.  While it isn't the norm in week 1, it isn't as uncommon as one may think either.  I used to conserve my bugling for later...for no good reason.  Now I will use whatever approach will illicit a response.  Took my bull last year with a silent routine similar to ur typical week 1 setups.  Only difference was it was final weekend of season when they should've been most vocal -but they weren't.  Lesson I've learned is call to elk in the language they wanna speak not the language u think they oughta be speaking.
 
I have used a bugle with great success throughout the whole season. Early in the season If you get one bull worked up a little, it usually will get the other bulls in the area worked up also. For the past 4 seasons, I have had any where from 3-10 bulls bugling withing the first week of the season.
 
Man, that's some great info fellas.  Thanks for chiming in.  You know, the more I think about it, SOMEBODY (or some bull) has to be the first one speaking up, might as well try to initiate a little dialogue with the beasts.  My hunting buddies and I are counting the days, getting closer!!
 
Bulls will start bugling in August as they get to know each other in their respective areas. All areas are different as far as when early rutting activity starts but bugling always works for finding bulls. If it's early season and they are not rutting and gathering cows yet, use location and lazy bugles to elicit a response. They might come in to check you out or, you should go find them once you know their location :)
 
I perfer the first season because of the relaxed bulls but you need to be on your game because they like to make the silent approch sometimes, it also has alot to do with the moon and weather.
 
My buddy was out scouting last weekend up in notellum creek. He was watching some bulls in the evening and a little rag horn let out a squeel. Wish I could have seen that!
I think early season bugles are a good way to locate some bulls but you will have better luck with cow calls. Especialy with the big boys.  ;)
 
We heard bulls bugling last year in the first week of Sept. in CO.  The first morning I hunted I did a locator bugle with no vocal response, but a bull showed up silently minutes later.
 
i have gotten on bulls that were all cowed up and bugling the first week of September  the last 2 years both in CO and NM and was able to get close and in their face for some exciting action. I've started to notice too with more time in the elkwoods, the "lazy" bugle. a short almost yawn like bugle and that's it. no more sounds. now when i hear these bugles (especially when it's hot) i know i found his bedding area. i'm still trying to figure out how to hunt these areas effectively and having lots of fun and action doing so.
 
My buddy and I were setting up camp last weekend here in CO, and as we were leaving right before dark we heard a young bull chuckling and carrying on. Tis' the season fellas....
 
UPDATE! Had bulls fired up all weekend.  Only once did I hear an unsolicited bugle but I had good success in getting them to respond, pinpointing location, getting close then pulling them in.  The shooters botched it tho! Hope the action is as hot next weekend as it was this past weekend!
 
This year, if it was not for the responses I received from bulls, I never would have known where they were...
but usually the bulls in my area of coastal Washington are pretty quiet until you get close, so I hunt while cow calling, and when I find fresh sign, I bugle.
It is the strange bull that just (cowblocked)  makes them furious, and all heck breaks loose.
Amazing how seemingly empty woods with no responses all day can erupt with multiple bulls in an instant.
 
Stiknstring, I know what you are talking about.  I think I heard a handful of bugles during the early archery season.  They were pretty quite.  The bull I shot was with 6 cows. My hunt area is not too far from the coast and it sounds a lot different from what my buddies experience hunting the Winston unit.  I like the area I'm in though and I learn more about it each year. 
 
Definitely !  I do not play well with others, wont be part of the Winston mob.
It is funny to me, in the area I hunt most hunters drive roads, and work areas near roads, I park at gates and after going more than a mile am all alone, and get into elk.
I talk to other hunters in the area (gas station and at gates) but they say that "they are not talking" when I have been hearing answers in several spots...
Cannot buy a response near active roads, but get back behind a gate a few miles...
 
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