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Got one? Share with us! Here is some Gold from an old Bow hunter. Not me! Shrewd old fella who has Bow killed some good Bulls with a one string! It starts out talking about an Elk barking.
Yip….it will get them up and moving, and you can use it against them if you do it first, but there’s a time and a place for it.
One good time to use it is when a bull that you’ve been working comes in and hangs up just out of sight. If you give him a challenge bark, he’s very apt to step out into the open, because what you’re asking him is, “Who are you?” Be ready to shoot, but don’t draw if you can see his eye, because it’s just a waste of time. You have to wait until he turns his head completely away.
If you can see his eye, he WILL see ANY movement you make, unless you’re up in a tree. If you don’t believe me, just try it sometime and watch what happens. You just have to pretend you’re a rock and hope the wind stays in your favor and maybe he’ll give you a break and not blow out of there. If he turns his head and all you can see is ears and horns, take your time, pick your spot and put a good one in the boiler room. It’s the movement that you make drawing that spooks them, if you’re at full draw or just about, and he turns his head back, maybe you made a sound drawing, and is looking in your direction, take your time and don’t rush it, because chances are that he wont know what’s up until the broadhead hits. Sounds don’t bother them much, unless you say the wrong thing to them…lol!
Movement will make them blow quicker than anything. If you’ve got the wind, you can be standing in plain sight, in or out of camo, and as long as you don’t move, they can’t pick you out from the background unless you’re skylined
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Although bugling can elicit bulls to bugle, greatly increasing the excitement and hope of a hunt,the number of elk actually killed by bowhunters that way, opposed to the number spooked off, is minuscule. Especially true if the caller is hunting alone. And you get a few guys out there running around bugling and barking, within just one day most of the real elk will have left for quieter country or go to bugling only at night. I call it bugle pollution and it’s the single best piece of advice I can give to all but a small handful of expert hunters: forget the calling and hunt elk much as you would whitetails — spot and stalk, move in silently when they bugle, ambush wallows, waterholes and other high-use areas. Make it your top priority to not let them know you’re even there. Unlike rifle hunters we need relaxed elk following their normal routines for best success. Sure, people kill elk by calling. But people spoil more hunts by calling, by far. Cow calling can work in expert hands but neither is it a panacea. Do not walk around blowing on a cow call. Go in quite. Study the habitat and elk use patterns. Be the invisible visitor and stay at it and you will have your chance. dp
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I will agree with Dave on this.(Not that I disagree often.) It seems that in my area elk are so call shy from the over use of calls that they are counter productive. I haven’t carried a call for 7 or 8 years now. Be stealthy, mind the wind and shoot straight.
Bill
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In general I agree with Dave…calling can be counter productive [if] done improperly. On the other hand calling can be very effective if done properly even on educated elk.
With that said my tips are:
#1 learn how to call and know what you are saying to the elk and when to say it.
#2 and my main tip…..if and when you do attempt a call set up properly. Don’t be standing flat footed in the middle of a clearing or park. Examine the area and look for the best route for an elk to come to you and set up according taking into account the wind and cover. Call very sparingly…say 3 or 4 cow mews then sit quietly on “high alert” for at least 30 minutes for each setup. BE PATIENT!! In most of my experiences bulls came in silently unlike all the war stories you hear of them charging in screaming they’re heads off, blowing snot, dripping saliva and urinating all over themselves. That does happen, but more often than not, in my limited experience, they come in like a cat. They can be etremely quiet when they want to. Anyway…that’s what works for me:wink:
Brett
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I second Brett, since he seems to be talking only about cow calling. Know how to call — not necessarily like a World Champ caller, but rather know “what you are saying to the elk and when to say it.” Know how to hunt when calling — set-up, elk psychology, etc. Call sparingly. If you want to call, follow Brett’s advice and you’ll be making the best of it. For an example of how cow calling can at times work miracles, see “Elkheart and the Indian Guide,” by Thomas “T” Downing in the current issue of TBM. T is the most successful caller I know and never just wanders around chirping. He knows habitat and he knows elk rut psychology and he knows restraint and patience. And the bull he called in for me was the 21st last season that he called in to 20 yards or less. But, returning to my original statements about calling, of those 21 bulls, less than a handful offered high-odds killing shots. To get a bull to answer a bugle is NOT the same as killing a bull. To lure a bull in to cow calls (often as not they’ll not bugle when coming) is NOT to assure a solid shot set-up. And once you’ve spooked those animals, you won’t be seeing or hearing them again. Life is complicated! :lol::wink: dp
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David Petersen wrote: forget the calling and hunt elk much as you would whitetails — spot and stalk, move in silently when they bugle, ambush wallows, waterholes and other high-use areas. Make it your top priority to not let them know you’re even there. Unlike rifle hunters we need relaxed elk following their normal routines for best success. Sure, people kill elk by calling. But people spoil more hunts by calling, by far. Cow calling can work in expert hands but neither is it a panacea. Do not walk around blowing on a cow call. Go in quite. Study the habitat and elk use patterns. Be the invisible visitor and stay at it and you will have your chance. dp
Very good info right there. Don’t let them find out you’re there, if you do, thats it, they’re gone. I’ve seen it happen never to see the herd again. So don’t spook em and do like Dave says, keep at it and you WILL get your chance.
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Weaving a bit off course…
I don’t have much experience with elk. I’ve taken a big bull and a tasty cow, and that’s it for elk. But for deer, I have some experience, and I think that calls are over rated in this case as well.
My experience is that I see many more deer when I don’t call than when I do. And most of the deer that come when I call are the wee young bucks that have more enthusiasm than sense.
If you want some fun calling in a big bruiser of a critter. Go moose hunting during the rut. Now there is an animal that will respond to calls. It’s like turkey hunting.
But on the whole, I have to say, that I much prefer hunting without calls, scents, gadgets, and gizmo’s. While I have been successful using calls on occasion. I don’t feel the exhilaration of the life struggle the same as when I go it alone.
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Elk tip #1: Always trust the wind, don’t get caught in all the elk excitement and ignore the wind. I know other bowhunters who take gambles with the wind while hunting elk and it gets them every time. The old saying, “you can fool an elk’s eyes and ears, you can never fool its nose.” True words.
Elk tip #2: Brett is right on the mark with his comments concerning set ups when calling. I believe that where you set up is equally as important in so much as I try to set up in a location that would hide an elk. Elk are looking for other elk when they are coming in and I have seen plenty of bulls get suddenly nervous because they are looking at a meadow with a small tree that has cows calls coming from it. Shooting lanes and a timbered backdrop is the idea here.
Elk Tip#3: If you are fortunate enough to take the shot, I firmly believe that cow calling right after the shot will do wonders for you. The bull might stop immediately and provide a second shot. In addition, it can be a calming affect and the elk will walk away. I encourage a mouth diaphragm call or use your voice to replicate the cow call. This will allow your hands to remain free in case you get a second shot and you will have less movement.
Elk Tip#4: After the shot, if you don’t see the elk go down or you do not hear the loud crash associated with a falling animal, stay put right where you shot. Don’t get up and move at all. I have seen bulls over the years, mortally wounded that were standing right there or bedded down almost immediately. The last thing you want to do is move forward and get that wounded elk’s adrenaline going and now you are in for a long day.
Elk Tip#5: Last but not least and this one is dedicated to the beginning elk hunter, not you experienced bowhunters who know this one all to well. HUNT HARD! You can never go wrong with putting everything you have into your elk hunt. This is only one month out of the year and it will be over before you know it, so go all out, try not to miss a morning or evening hunt if possible. I firmly believe that the traditional archer needs more opportunities in the field and elk hunting has showed me that you have to be out there in it, studying the elk and their habitat. We are blessed to be able to even hunt these wonderful animals, try to give it the best in which you are capable. T -
What T says!!!
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I remember one time, my dad got into a herd down in SW Montana, and when the elk took off down the mountain (I think he spooked them a bit, somehow), he took off running after them. After a little ways, they started slowing down and eventually stopped, and he was right with them. He got a shot at the bull, but unfortunately missed. He figured that by running with/after the herd, because they were crashing through the brush, and so was he, they figured they had left the danger behind them. I don’t know if this would work in most situations, but it got him a shot at the herd bull, even if he didn’t connect.
Michael.
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T Downing wrote:
Elk Tip#5: Last but not least and this one is dedicated to the beginning elk hunter, not you experienced bowhunters who know this one all to well. HUNT HARD! You can never go wrong with putting everything you have into your elk hunt. This is only one month out of the year and it will be over before you know it, so go all out, try not to miss a morning or evening hunt if possible. I firmly believe that the traditional archer needs more opportunities in the field and elk hunting has showed me that you have to be out there in it, studying the elk and their habitat. We are blessed to be able to even hunt these wonderful animals, try to give it the best in which you are capable. TWhat I can add from my limited experience, and really just adds on to T’s #5 is to be physically and mentally ready to “hunt hard.” If you are physically able to hunt farther into an area than others are willing to go you’ll improve your odds. I change my work out plans about July 1st to incorporate a lot of hiking, trail running, as well as full body weight training. I’m not sure if it’s necessary, but it gives me the confidence knowing that if I have to throw 100+ lbs. of meat on my back and hike miles to the truck (more than once) I’m able to.
Along those lines something I like to do is take out a topo map and a ruler and lightly draw a mile buffer around all the roads in the area you want to hunt. You can locate those areas over a mile off the road where most people aren’t willing or aren’t capable of going.O, and one more vote for leaving the bugle at home. You’ll call in more hunters than elk.
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LOL….speaking of calling in other hunters….Yes I have. And rattled in other deer hunters, too.
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I live in the Ozark Mountains. I Elk hunt a lot like I turkey and squirrel hunt, which is to slip along quietly, pause and listen, look. I have had good luck in Colorado with a cow call. I know this may seem a little different but it works. I like to get the wind in my face and ease along trails. I hear or see Elk, I hump up and call limited and softly. I have killed all my Elk this way off my knees. I once made the mistake of calling before I was tucked off the trail, as has been mentioned. I was busted very quickly!
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It’s been awhile since I’ve elk hunted, but the one thing I remember is this. Don’t go for the big meadow syndrome, i.e. looking for the elk in those long, wide meadows. What good is it to find a herd in a big meadow anyway? Moving in on them is next to impossible. Hunt the transition areas between the meadows and the bedding areas. We like areas with little meadows, and north slope water seeps. When it’s hot in early archery, thats where the elk are.
We’ve also done well to get our rears up the hill, and into a saddle before first light. Once the other hunters start to work up the hill, they’ll drive the elk through the escape saddles, and right to you. Kinda like driving whitetails, if you set it up right. If not, it’s a lot easier to look down on the elk, than try to look up for them. And the wind is usually better too.
Good luck to those lucky enough to be going after them this year.
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Couple of tips:
When you’re working a herd in the late morning and they quit calling, they haven’t blown out of the country – they’re bedded down snoozing. If you can be patient, sneak to within 30 yds of them very slowly during the day and wait them out until 3 – 4 pm when they get up. A couple cow calls and the bull will be in your lap.
Tip #2, learn to use a diaphragm call. If you’ve called the elk in, as you start your draw, give a cow call. the look in the bulls eyes when I do this never ceases to amaze me but he’s in such a rut focus, the movement is not an issue. This tip works wonders.
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Haven’t posted here a lot, but been reading a bunch. I just got back into traditional hunting for elk, and have been lucky enough in 30+ years to have killed 7 bulls with a bow–2 traditionally.
If there is 1 thing i’ve learned about archery elk hunting it’s do the best u can to keep a positive attitude. Sometimes you’ll be out there for several days–sometimes even more without seeing any animals. It’s happened to me more than a few times over the years, and being “unsuccessful” can be hard on you (and your hunting buddies) at times. My buddy gets disappointed if he doesn’t see anything in about 2 days time, and the “no animal depression” syndrome can be infective sometimes.
One other thing that i think is to be sure and get a sip tube for your daypack water system so you can maintain hydration. Like a buddy of mine says–“hydration is the key to life”, and it’s particularly important when physically exerting yourself a lot at 7000-10000 feet…especially when u get over 50.
One last thing–when that branch-antlered bull elk suddenly appears at bow range try to think about the shot. Even though you’re gonna’ be thinking to yourself that this really isn’t happening, and it’s all just a dream that’s gonna’ be over way faster than i can type this. You’ve got to somehow overcome the adrenaline flow, and apply good form to your shot…anyways, good luck on that 1.
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MontanaFord wrote: I remember one time, my dad got into a herd down in SW Montana, and when the elk took off down the mountain (I think he spooked them a bit, somehow), he took off running after them. After a little ways, they started slowing down and eventually stopped, and he was right with them. He got a shot at the bull, but unfortunately missed. He figured that by running with/after the herd, because they were crashing through the brush, and so was he, they figured they had left the danger behind them. I don’t know if this would work in most situations, but it got him a shot at the herd bull, even if he didn’t connect.
Michael.
I have done this before, then gave a smallish(is that a word) meww followed by a young bugle, the herd bull came back for a looksee. The wind was running up hill so they never smelled me,I think the bull thought I was a smaller bull trying to cut some cows. I have also been bugled at. thats right the bull yelled at me, without me saying a word:shock: he heard me tromping through a swampy spring and bugled. I was young and dumb then–I answered without being ready, and within seconds had that brute in my lap; with no shooting lanes. I agree though, nine times out of ten you will just push the heard out of the country with bugling, the trick is to know when and where to bugle. If the bull feels he has no other choice he will confront another bull. This is about the olny time I bugle–when I know I he has been pestered (by real elk) enough that its time to do something about it. Very rarely will this happen until the cows com into full blown heat. At least it works out here….Nate
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After returning from an elk hunt in WY on some tough to reach BLM ground that was surrounded by private ground, I was amazed at how much the elk talked. Bulls were vocal some but mainly the cows…they never shut up! Total contrast to all the public ground elk I have hunted over the years in CO. I don’t own a bugle, and this trip I never used my cow call. I played it like Dave said and how I would in CO and snuck around glassing, playing the wind, and planning an ambush. It paid off too…I killed a great big fat cow elk with my longbow on the 3rd day. I didn’t have a bull tag but hope to draw it next year. Until then I have elk to eat 8)
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Say what you will about “call shy” Elk, if you realize that they can hear a lot better than we can, you might figure out something I learned while hunting…
They usually only communicate vocally when not in sight of each other, and often it is a VERY soft sound.
I have had other hunters tell me that they “are not vocal” while watching a herd, but when he quit talking long enough to listen, you could hear them…
I use call sometimes that , as I explain it, are too soft for me (the caller) to hear, VERY low volume !! and get similar responses, most calls on the market today require a full force of air to get a sound, “experts” tell you to use your diaphragm, not your lungs, but a lot of the time, I just use what little air I have in my mouth, and use my throat muscles to force air through the call, remember those large things sticking out of their heads ? (not antlers)they can hear everything !!
Call timing, and volume, or lack thereof, have brought a lot of animals in to me, but too loud ?? good-by !!
The right sound, at the right time, at the right volume, is deadly, even when the woods are echoing with other hunters.
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All good stuff. I think this was touched on but if you live where there is elk do not over pressure. If I get into them on Sat I hunt elsewhere on Sun and Mon and come back the next week . I like to locate several herds and work them all. Deeks work also. As said elk like to see something and it is amazing when an elk sees a yellow butt and just comes in . I can’t wait – only a few more months
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wahoo wrote: All good stuff. I think this was touched on but if you live where there is elk do not over pressure. If I get into them on Sat I hunt elsewhere on Sun and Mon and come back the next week . I like to locate several herds and work them all. Deeks work also. As said elk like to see something and it is amazing when an elk sees a yellow butt and just comes in . I can’t wait – only a few more months
Good suggestion, I have 2 decoys, but seldom have time to set them up.
What I ended up doing was to put weights in the legs, and attached a bungie to the top, so I just shake them out and hang from a branch, the added motion helps attract attention.
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Agreed about keeping calling to a minimum. I only carry a cow call with me, and try to use it sparingly.
When a bull is bugling nearby but doesn’t seem to be moving, staying put isn’t always the best solution. Sometimes closing the distance helps.
If you’re calling, be ready. Be set up where you want to be, anticipate which direction the bull will come from, and be ready to draw. And don’t be surprised if the bull that comes in is not the one you hear bugling.
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