I'm new to elk hunting, however I'm extremely excited for my first hunt! I've been looking up calls, however I haven't been able to find any info on seasons to use which call. I'll be in Colorado in 3rd gun season(November), are bugles still used to locate bulls or is calling exclusively cow calls and calf calls?
Times for bugling
- Thread starter keeper
- Start date
I would plan on spot and stalk. I grew up in Montana and by November the critters aren't bugling....that I've ever seen. The cows and calves are talking, but you have to be pretty close to hear that, unless they are barking at you haha. Then its game over wah wah waaaahhh.
cohunter14
Administrator
- Jul 10, 2017
- 5,327
Agree with both of the above responses. A bugle during that time of the year will only get other hunters coming after you, hahaha! Cow calls might work, but I wouldn't expect to be able to call an elk in if I were you. I would plan on using other tactics at that time of year.
backcountry_hunter
New member
- Aug 8, 2016
- 213
I think it depends on the elk your hunting. If you find a pocket of unmolested elk that made it with little to no pressure, I've heard them bugling lie crazy in late october/early nov. If they're heavily pressured they might be quiet even during the rut. I've used a cow call as late as 4th rifle in CO with success. If you're going 3rd rifle I wouldn't bank on hearing bugling but you might
cohunter14
Administrator
- Jul 10, 2017
- 5,327
The biggest thing I would tell you is try to be as mobile as possible. Cover as much ground as you can, especially with your eyes behind some binocs from a high point, if possible, until you find elk or extremely fresh sign telling you that elk are in the area. 90% of rifle elk hunting is finding the elk. Once you do that, punching a tag becomes that much easier.
