There\'s this wise but humble man that spends every day trying to help other elk hunters. Although I was bull headed about the idea, he spent many threads trying to convince me that the same tactic, used in different area\'s, can produce different results. Now, I do believe now that my bugle first and bugle big tactic may not be the best to use in other areas. This wise man has a great book out called Tree Stand Hunting Rocky Mountain Elk.
I agree he could be a herd bull, but my point is he may not be a bull that comes to your bugling.
Sure this may be a herd bull in your area, but in other areas he isn\'t and he may be one that takes his cows and goes away when you bugle.
IMO, it\'s all geographical.
I hunt in an OTC public land area that has lots of cow elk. So many that the DAU is undersubscribed each year for cow tags.
Areas will only hold a certain amount of elk, and if there lots of cows, there isn\'t many mature herd bulls.
Typically there are lots of \'junior bulls\'.
It\'s difficult to hunt mature herd bulls when there isn\'t many around.
Sure I can bugle with the rest of you guys, but those junior bulls sure don\'t like it when I sound \'Too Big\'
That makes for a long day in the elk woods.
Understood Brad, but you mentioned there are many Jr bulls. What happens to not allow many mature bulls in your area is it the harvest rate in your area? I have hunted areas with few elk and many elk and have found the mature bulls in all areas. They are not around every tree or meadow but there are a few around. With that many elk in your area would it not produce some mature bulls? BTW great discussion maybe many areas can be that different. I still have found it true in all states I have hunted so far, I have not hunted Colorado yet.
