Locating bugles

[Jweav308]

On my way home from a frustrating 2 weeks in Colorado... We were on bulls the second week, and they were loud bu we tried absolutely everything and couldn't get close enough. Hunting a big valley and at camp we would hear them all day and were 99% sure they were down by the creek but they would shut up whenever we got close, either calling or just stalking (with perfect wind and after a rain-completely quiet). Only bulls we saw were ones we glassed across the valley up high. So my question, did the bugles really come from up high but sound like they were coming from the bottom, then when we got to the bottom we couldn't hear them because of the creek?

 

[ribo451]

When I get into that situation I like to keep one person up high to keep them talking while another person moves in on them. Where I hunt the bulls are call shy and often wont respond unless you are far away or in there face.

 

[Arrows4Elk]

It's been my experience that they respond well at long ranges and very close...less than 125 yards.  If you get a general location on them, try to get in as close as you can without calling and get set up. Watch for cows! One thing I like to do is get as close as possible and start raking a tree. Once he bugles, grunts, chuckles, starts raking or whatever - use a challenge bugle.  If you are in close, he will respond.

 

[montanaelk31]

It's been my experience that bulls don't like to bugle in deep creeks.  Flat creeks, with meadows yes.  but deep creeks with louder water, no.  I don't think they hear real well and don't like to put themselves at risk.  X2 what everyone else said