Herd bull tricks

[eddew7x7]

This seems to be every bow hunters dream is to take a herd bull.  Most don't want it bad enough to go the extra mile and push themselves for the big one.  That is the thing I have done for 45 years of bow hunting is to be able to pass on lesser bulls to get to the big ones.
Herd bulls can be counted on to be aggressive and on the move all the time.  Use that to your advantage by always getting into his face with small bull sounds and lost cow sounds.  If you can get into the magic 50 yard range you have a better chance of the bull coming your way and not heading out of the country.  The use of the Glunk when you are within the herd can make the herd bull lose it and come running without thinking giving you that close in shot.

 

[Jared Bloomgren]

I tried all tricks in my bag this year with a herd bull and never had any luck at them working like in the past. I was within 100 yards of my 2012 bull numerous times and threw something different at him each time. He always just gathered his cows and walked them off. He was a smart old bugger! I just had to stick with it and let him make a mistake. Which to my delight he did and I was there to capitalize on it!

 

[bulldown]

I've often struggled finding success on big herd bulls.  However this year I played my cards a little different and got lucky.    The bull was responding to our calls all morning but with the winds swirling and the openness of the terrain we knew pressuring him would just blow him out so we opted to go in quietly later that afternoon.  When the winds were constant we made our move and ended up sneaking to within bow range of him and his cows.  The big bull was bedded down quartering away from me and I was able to deliver a perfect heart shot.


Going in silent will be a strategy I start using more..


Bulldown

 

[lang]

I know a guy in a local archery club who has tried his whole life to get a big bull with no success.  He got injured at work and had to just sit a water whole and ended up getting a gorgeous 360 bull that is hanging in a sporting goods store.  So I have resolved to at least sit a tree stand half of my mornings next year (only time the wind is right).  I'll let you know how it goes. 

 

[GoatT]

Although I have not taken many elk, I have filmed quite a lot during the Rut.  most of the calling that i have done on the herd bulls has brought them in, but it is all up to them.  I do tend to be a little more aggressive in my calling and will even scrape the ground, trees, break branches, etc. to entice a match. 

 

[Idahoshedhead]

I usually try to sneak into his bedroom and rake a tree while tearing up the ground.  Then let out a little immature bugle.

 

[Bullhunter]

I have come close to taking a herd bull but it didnt work out last year.

 

[Fullabull]

Here in WA. the season is always so early that finding a herd with a herd bull does not happen often. They would have to start rutting pretty early in Sept for that to happen.
Here the best tactic is to probably locate by calling, spotting (if you can find a place to use a spotting scope) and stock. You really do not get a lot of chances and screaming bulls here

 

[basco]

I tried all tricks in my bag this year with a herd bull and never had any luck at them working like in the past. I was within 100 yards of my 2012 bull numerous times and threw something different at him each time. He always just gathered his cows and walked them off. He was a smart old bugger! I just had to stick with it and let him make a mistake. Which to my delight he did and I was there to capitalize on it!

This was my second year hunting Montana  since my residency. I did have a close encounter with a 320 7x7 which forths were forked just like Mr. Bloomgren's. This year the 6x7 herd bull I committed all season to  ( same bull I mentioned in Extreme Elk issue #2 )  reacted the same way, no matter what I did. Soo many close calls.The main problem was the inconsistent wind currents in the basin. I herd shadowed the best I could, I belly crawled for 100's of yards at one point. He pushed his harem to the nastiest, thickest part of the mountian. A 15yrd shot was even presented, but I just didn't have fatal shot. Chasing these monarchs is the best education a solo hunter can get. It really tests one's mind. I ended up taking a smaller bull the last 10mins of the last day I could hunt in about 8in  of snow.  Hopefully Sherlock lives another year for another chance.

 

[turbo1967]

with more than 30 bulls under my belt I can say I thinkI tried almost every trick or method out there,but this year I took my first bull that was over 300.I guess you could call it a herd bull.most of the bulls in my area dont live past 2 1/2 years old.To pull this one in I did what I never do,I bugled to much,3 hours of straight bugling with a diff bull and this guy got feed up and came running in from about a mile away.Took him from about 10 yard.

 

[huntelk1]

I like to locate them then sneak in real close and then give a squell and hope for the best from there.  If I'm hunting with a buddy it gets way easier.  Hope that helps.  As my turkey hunting buddy says " crawl don't call"

 

[WardDawg7]

I agree go in quiet and stealthy

 

[ELK ASSASIN]

Here is a link to one of my videos from last year, stalked this herd bull in his beds from 9am until 2pm, bumped him once then got back on the herd. was trying to get in position to shoot right when he stood and headed towards an intruder bull. http://www.facebook.com/messages/#!/photo.php?v=3817914780544&set=vb.1657888036&type=3&theater

 

[ELK ASSASIN]

SLOW AND LOW , IN THE BEDS. BEST WAY I HAVE FOUND TO HUNT HERD BULLS. PUBLIC LAND BULLS DON'T LIKE CALLS IN AZ.

http://www.facebook.com/messages/#!/photo.php?v=2253802878724&set=vb.1657888036&type=3&theater

HEREIS ANOTHER NICE HERD BULL,THAT TOOK HIS COWS AND BOOGIED, DUE TO CALLING!!