Elk Hunting Forum - Raking and Bugling

[Swede]

On occasion I come upon a bull raking while I am out hunting. Often all they are doing is raking and doing no bugling. How often do you hear bulls bugling while raking and do you remember was it during the rut? Were there other elk nearby that he was displaying for? What I am trying to find out is the correlation between bugling and raking and when bugling should accompany raking and when it is better to just rake. I want this based on elk observations and not just something we read.

 

[Colorado_Lew]

I\'ve also observed the same, raking without bugling.
When I have seen bulls raking and bugling it was only after I challenged that they bugle or chuckle.

 

[Zpd307]

I have only encountered one raking bull. he never bugled. it was in response to us cold cow calling. he eventually snuck around us and got our wind. it was mid September. I would have set up and acted differently if had known what to do back then.....

 

[OldMan]

I\'ve watched them do both during the rut. Here\'s an example.

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[elkmtngear]

1. I\'ve watched them rake without bugling in response to my cow call, and come sneaking in.

2. I\'ve watched several bulls rake in response to a bugle challenge at distances less than 80 yds. Most of them have bugled in response to the challenge, then started raking.

In my little brain, the bull in scenario 1 is saying \"if you have a bull with you sweetheart, I want to hear him\".

And the bull in scenario 2 is saying, \"I have cows...so stay back dude\"!

 

[Bullnuts]

I\'ve seen them rake and then bugle or bugle and then rake, but never both at the same time. I called a nice bull in a couple years ago by raking and then bugling. Of course I\'m not sure what actually got him, the raking or bugling or the combo, but he came in like he was on a string.

 

[Swede]

So guys, what would you advise for a raking and bugling plan as a way to attract bulls in the pre-rut and during the rut?

 

[cnelk]

When I set up on my bull last year, I put thick timber behind me, kneeled down IN FRONT of a 10 inch pine tree, knocked on arrow, gave a cow call and immediately raked the 10 inch pine.
Up & down, up & down with my hand.

Thats all it took, 3 bulls in front of me went nuts

 

[WapitiBob]

Nice easy location bugle to elicit a response so I know one is in the county, then rake-pause-rake. If I hear the bugle first I will move in and suppress the overwhelming desire to bugle and rake-pause-rake.
All the raking bulls I have moved in on have come from hearing at least one bugle from them. Generally in response to a bugle of mine.