The Universal Strategy

[Swede]

John\'s recent post on the rules thread has got me to thinking again. Often I read or hear of a technique where the proponent at least implies, theirs is the best or maybe even the only correct way to properly hunt. Calling techniques are especially promoted as \"this is the way\". I hope my posts are not taken that way or even other things I have written. What I write is based on my experience, and is there to help if you want some information on the subject.
There are plenty of experienced hunters with many years of elk hunting experience. I love to banter back and forth with them. I know they are knowledgeable and successful hunters, but I am not hunting their hunts so I may or may not follow their techniques. What I want to hear from you people is, what are some things you have read that may or may not fit in this category I just described. Let us know so we can discuss it here. Hopefully if there are questions or misconceptions we can work on them during this off season.

 

[cnelk]

Ill play...

Bugling isn\'t the best way to call elk where I hunt.
Cow calling is the \'go to\' technique.

For those that like to bugle and not hear lots of bugles, I can tell you where to hunt. But with very limited success doing it.

I am sure there are those that will say \' I bet I can bugle an elk into bow range where CNELK hunts\'
I would say go for it buddy.
And will go into your area and cow call in all the elk I can handle :clap:

 

[JohnFitzgerald]

I am a caller and I\'ve called in many bulls for myself and others over the past 10 years. It\'s a personal choice for me not to display them. Just the way I was raised and I don\'t fault any who does. With that said, there is so many different ways to call in elk. No one, has it all figured out!

What we can do is come together, leave our ego\'s at home, and civilly discuss idea\'s and concepts.

What I wish for........

More from Pete about Still Hunting strategies
More from Bill about simple calling strategies
More from Brad about general strategies
More from Troy about calling tips
More from Swede about tree stand strategies
More from Jeff about decoy strategies
More from everyone about encounters and mistakes

If everyone contributes and we talk these things out, then and only then will we become more rounded hunters.

 

[JohnFitzgerald]

Ill play...

Bugling isn\'t the best way to call elk where I hunt.
Cow calling is the \'go to\' technique.

For those that like to bugle and not hear lots of bugles, I can tell you where to hunt. But with very limited success doing it.

I am sure there are those that will say \' I bet I can bugle an elk into bow range where CNELK hunts\'
I would say go for it buddy.
And will go into your area and cow call in all the elk I can handle :clap:

I think every area has it\'s own personality. Example, I\'ve hunted Swedes area before and calling elk has note paid off. Can we figure out how to crack it open.....possibly.....maybe not.

I for one have an area where cow calling and bugling does pay off. Just depends on the elk.

And I do think that some people hunt uneducated or less educated elk than many of use. I will even admit that I too have killed some.

 

[otcWill]

Ill play...

Bugling isn\'t the best way to call elk where I hunt.
Cow calling is the \'go to\' technique.

For those that like to bugle and not hear lots of bugles, I can tell you where to hunt. But with very limited success doing it.

I am sure there are those that will say \' I bet I can bugle an elk into bow range where CNELK hunts\'
I would say go for it buddy.
And will go into your area and cow call in all the elk I can handle :clap:

Good point. I\'ve got a ton of respect for Brad and obviously he can kill elk. In my area I can\'t seem to call a bull in with cow calls very often. I\'ve called in a few but nothing big. Interesting how elk hunting varies so greatly from one spot to the next and even from herd to herd. Where I hunt, first strategy is spot/stalk then call/stalk then bugle em in. I\'m no calling expert and it isn\'t even my main strategy but I\'ve called in all the bulls I\'ve killed and only one with cow calls. I\'m always learning.

 

[elkmtngear]

Ill play...

Bugling isn\'t the best way to call elk where I hunt.
Cow calling is the \'go to\' technique.

For those that like to bugle and not hear lots of bugles, I can tell you where to hunt. But with very limited success doing it.

I am sure there are those that will say \' I bet I can bugle an elk into bow range where CNELK hunts\'
I would say go for it buddy.
And will go into your area and cow call in all the elk I can handle :clap:

This ^^^^^^^

Not to say I won\'t bugle when I get right in close with a bull protecting his cows. But I find myself using cow calls more often, both for location and encounters/ cold calling.

 

[Swede]

Good point. I\'ve got a ton of respect for Brad and obviously he can kill elk. In my area I can\'t seem to call a bull in with cow calls very often. I\'ve called in a few but nothing big. Interesting how elk hunting varies so greatly from one spot to the next and even from herd to herd. Where I hunt, first strategy is spot/stalk then call/stalk then bugle em in. I\'m no calling expert and it isn\'t even my main strategy but I\'ve called in all the bulls I\'ve killed and only one with cow calls. I\'m always learning.

As others have pointed out, one type of call is not the universal best tool for getting all elk. Many hunters prefer bugling while others will use just cow calls. Many hunters use a combination. I am satisfied there are different tactics for different areas. Some hunters, that believe run & gun is the universal best way to go, have ventured off to other States where they tried unsuccessfully to practice their craft. Why were they successful in one area and not in another? These hunters know how to call and run & gun, but they did not understand the local elk.
If I hunted with cnelk, I would do what he is doing. If I went with OTC, I would follow his lead. There are two ways to learn the best way to get elk. 1. experience. The time it takes to get this all sorted out can be long. 2. Listen and find out what other successful hunters are doing. Just be careful because many hunters will try to throw you off.
If you are in a situation where you are not sure what is best for your area, try a variety of methods. I think being versatile is best until you have really sorted things out.

 

[Tdiesel]

Swede I think that last statement is the actual universal strategy. Versatility I believe makes great hunters from those that are good. people who consistently kill elk in my opinion are usually deploying several techniques even if they don\'t admit it. I have the great advantage of helping run cattle on a forest permit we know the area well and usually have an idea where the elk are hanging out. I have hunted it for near 20 years and sure a couple years the elk may be doing about the same thing but I don\'t know if there have ever been two years exactly the same. The elk adapt and change according to the situation and we must too. Some years I hunt vocal elk, some years silent elk, some years I ambush elk, and some years already educated elk I need to adapt and be versatile if I want to get elk. Now if I could get that through my own head instead of being stuborn I\'d be doing alot better.

 

[Swede]

Some years I hunt vocal elk, some years silent elk, some years I ambush elk, and some years already educated elk I need to adapt and be versatile if I want to get elk. Now if I could get that through my own head instead of being stuborn I\'d be doing alot better.

TDiesel, I hear you on that. For me changing needs to include finding new hunting areas. I admit I do not like moving, but it has become necessary if I am going to continue to kill elk as I advance to middle age.