Where To Call

[Swede]

I am going to be hunting with a friend and some by myself. ( hypothetical) We want to call in a bull elk this September. I have heard some good cow and bull calls, but I am wondering where I should do my calling from and what are places to avoid? I have heard elk can be real difficult to shoot with a bow if a hunter is not in the right place. I would sure appreciate a few good tips so we can bring one home.
Maybe I should remind everyone how fat and nasty grocery store chicken is these days, and beef is getting extremely expensive. Oh I don\'t need to remind anyone.

 

[JohnFitzgerald]

Bad place to call.....100 yards from Swedes tree stand! :wave:

Calling when done right, can be used anytime and anywhere. Using vocalization to entice an elk isn\'t easy. There are so many different tactics and sequences that can be done.

So, if you want to call in a bull:

1) Learn the 7 Golden Elk Calling Rules.
2) Learn the different sounds that elk make.
3) Try to imitate those sounds.
4) Come up with your own sequences(target one of the 7) or learn from the guys/gals here.
5) Understand why you can call too much or not call enough.
6) Go out an experience the success and failure.

Be your own hunter and don\'t be afraid to think outside the box. Try not to get sucked into the commercialization trap! All it takes is a little elk understanding and you\'ll be able to come up with your own sequences. Some wont work and others will get you meat in the freezer.

So, will I tell you what tactics you should use. NOPE! You know the hunting pressure and elk habits in your area. Don\'t take my tactics and assume they work for you. THINK.........what will work in my area!

My 2-cents!

 

[cnelk]

A place that just makes me giddy is a small ribbon of a draw with grass.
The gentle timbered sloping sides rise enough so I will be slightly above the bottom.
I will position myself so the bottom is about 30 away.

Any elk that comes to my calling will feel secure as there is enough cover.
I can shoot across the draw by 10-20yds if needed

Any elk that comes in on my side of the draw from above will be in my lap.
Making a nice frontal or broadside shot as they meander toward me.

If the above setup is in the morning I don\'t have to worry at all about being winded as the thermals will
be taking my scent down the draw.

I have several of these exact spots that have proven deadly.
And some still have arrows hidden is the grass after the miss

 

[otcWill]

I don\'t know that there is any \"best\" answer for this question. I like to try to think like an elk when picking a settup. I imagine if I heard something, where would I go to investigate. I\'ve noticed that when they are totally convinced, they rarely use the wind to their advantage. Getting very close before calling often results in these types of situations. If they are half-convinced they will almost always sneak down wind. This happens most often to me during cold-calling set ups. If there is some good cover they will often stop just inside it to scan for movement. I like to call from an area which will lead them to my set up area. The two (call and set up)spots are never the same for me. . They will usually pick the easiest and safest way to investigate your calls. Hope this helps

 

[WW]

You usually want to pick a place where the elk will have to look for you. Try backing yourself into the front side of some thick brush and direct your sounds behind the brush. Let your camo work for you.

A lot of elk will hang up if they don\'t see another elk (you) where they thing the sounds are coming from. So, make them have to look for you.