Elk Barking
- Thread starter MT_mulies
- Start date
nclonghunter
New member
- Dec 28, 2012
- 681
My little expierence has been game over...
MTbowhunter1984
New member
- Dec 29, 2012
- 236
I had a 5x5 bust me and we just kept calling. A short time later after remaining still a cow steeped out and I took the shot. As soon as I heard the bark I pretty much gave up, but got lucky and had a couple stick around.
andyschaef
New member
- Jan 31, 2013
- 32
This past season I came across a bunch of barking. I busted a group of 5 spikes one day and they barked incessantly for about an hour before they finally started to move off. But they never blasted out.
I also was stalking some cows when they got a little spooked and started barking. We just stopped and waited them out, eventually they calmed down and just kept on feeding. Although it took about an hour.
I also was stalking some cows when they got a little spooked and started barking. We just stopped and waited them out, eventually they calmed down and just kept on feeding. Although it took about an hour.
kikinhorse
New member
- Jan 23, 2013
- 104
Last season I had 2 bulls bark and hang around to play. First one was a spike. It was after I put an arrow in a 5x5. The spike kept coming in barking, soI kept calling to see if I could get him back in and I sure did over and over. Next was a big 6x6 I was calling for my hunting partner. We were thinking the area was blown when we heard him bark right behind us so I got on the call and worked him for about 20 minutes. He kept coming back in barking and running off then come in again. Never did get to seal the deal, but was sure fun and I learned not to give up even when they bark. This was on public landwith lots of pressure..
L
lang
Guest
Haven't been barked at for several years now, but I have been experimenting with barking right back at them, then chuckling right after. It confuses the daylights out of them. I haven't killed one after doing this but have had them hang around long enough to make it interesting. Haven't had the chance to do it to a big bull but the young bulls it works great. I've also only done it while hunting by myself, with a caller I think it could be really good.
DIRK DURHAM
New member
- Dec 18, 2012
- 132
lang said:
When a bull barks at me, I bark back and then chuckle also! I did this and the bull stood his ground and raked tree. My son and I raked, barked and chuckled, and moved in on him until Austin's arrow zipped through the bulls heart.
This past season I had a cow spot me, bark and then bolt uphill. All of the elk with her were still in some thick brush/ timber and they also spooked uphill, but weren't able to see me. I waited maybe 10 or 20 seconds and did a few calf/ cow mews and it wasn't five or ten seconds after that a calf and cow came down out of the brush/ timber and then another cow and spike with her.
This lead me to believe that if they are broken up and spook, if you make a few calm calls, it may make them feel like the coast is clear and they may try and regroup.
This lead me to believe that if they are broken up and spook, if you make a few calm calls, it may make them feel like the coast is clear and they may try and regroup.
sumnerhorses
New member
- Dec 29, 2012
- 128
I bark back as well. They always stick around and try to figure out where the elk is that is barking back. They just want you to show yourself in that situation. I actually barked at a spike once and he followed me all the way back to the truck. I walked across meadows and everything and he was still trying to figure outwhat has two legs and barks like an elk.
If an elk barks at me I always bark back. Sometimes I'll bark first. I had a bull in thick trees that was hung up at about 40 yards. It was so thick I could barely see him. He started circling to get wind of us and so I barked at him. He stopped and slowly started coming in again. Even at 20 yards it was too thick to get a shot through and eventually he took off but barking stopped him from circling and he started coming in again. Like Dirk I'll bark and then go right into a chuckle. Some say a bark is a bull calling you to show yourself or they are leaving. I never consider a bark, a game over call!
HabuHunter
New member
- Feb 4, 2013
- 25
Great topic.... From what I have seen, a cow barking vs. a bull barking means two very differant things... 90% of the time when a cow barks you will typically hear elk running off next... When you hear a bull "bark" he is wanting you to show yourself... Either way don't give up and always try to bark right back ASAP
THEBUGLER said:lang said:
When a bull barks at me, I bark back and then chuckle also! I did this and the bull stood his ground and raked tree. My son and I raked, barked and chuckled, and moved in on him until Austin's arrow zipped through the bulls heart.
+1 on this scenario. I try to do what ever the bull is doing. Imitate his every move. If he barks, bark back. If he bugles, bugle right back. Sometimes if you cut them off mid bugle it really agitates them. It helps to cow call if you can too while this is going on to help ease the uneasiness. If you have a partner it helps to cow call together.
I have found similar things,there are 2 kinds of bark,the one most people know is destress call meaning its time to go.I have found when they go a good share of the time they dont go far and they will stop and wait.use that opertunity.The other is a locate call and I have barked with bulls and cows for hours like this.The lead cow will often time bark with other elk before letting them join the heard.HabuHunter said:
My experiance here has been varied. I have tried many things. Most often it there is a big bull around he will head for cover until things are sorted out and it will get pretty quiet. I have found that barking back can stop it. However if the oppertunity is there for me to get rid of just the elk that is alerted, say a sattalite away from the heard, I will bump him back out of the way. Often after bumped they will stop barking. (important: If I am going to scare him off i dont call, no need to educate) Then I continue my stalk or set up a new plan.
