Kentucky Elk tag

[Chris Horsman]

#5504

I was fortunate to draw a Kentucky cow elk archery tag for this coming fall.

I was wondering if anyone else had drawn either this year or before. I`m fairly familiar with the area but was wondering if anyone had any tips or ideas to share.

I`m trying to think a little outside the box, figuring that ambushing may be the best way. So with that in mind, would you set tree stands and blinds along travel routes? Are caw elk fairly pattern able? If you bust a herd up can you call them back, like turkey`s? Do cows visit wallows etc and do they water every day? Do they stay in a core area or wander were every the urge take them?

I appreciate any thoughts and advise. Thanks

[Clay Hayes]

#46894

I’m no elk expert, but I do have a few seasons under my belt. I’ll try’n answer some of your questions.

You can call elk, and sometimes talk back and forth for a while like with turkeys, but that’s where the similarity ends. If you bust a herd, they’ll run away…Fast.

You can pattern elk if they are not disturbed. If there’s any pressure on them, they’ll move. Sometimes a long way.

Cow’s do visit wallows, but in my experience it only pays in dry country. They come to drink, not roll around in their own funk. Kentucky doesn’t strike me as a good bet for sitting wallows.

I’d stay away from the tree stands unless it’s a lockon type that you can quickly and quietly get out of. Elk aren’t as keen as whitetails and they’re a lot easier to move in on. They generaly make some noise when they’re up feeding. Cow calf groups will call back and forth when they’re feeding in heavy cover.

Not sure about the accessability and terrain there, but in Idaho, elk like to bed the day away on little flat benches or spur ridges that are isolated and not easily reached.

My suggestion is to get out there and spend as much time with them as you can. Keep in mind that elk are often times migratory. This may mean they move a great distance form summer to winter range, or it may mean they move up and down in elevation. Some herds stay put all year long. So, what I’m saying is don’t just go out in the spring, find the elk, and expect them to be in the same place come fall.

hope this helps and good luck.

ch

[Amoose]

#49381

As an Elk hunter with over 20 years experience calling Elk, I suggest getting some cow calls, my favorite are “bite – and- blow” calls like the “Sceery Ace” , learn what a “lost calf” and a “regathering” call sound like.

There are very few cows that can resist a lost calf, or calf in distress (maybe you have some predator experience ?)

If the Elk are anything like the ones in Washington, they hang around drainages, and usually bed about 2/3 from the bottom, just figuring out where requires a lot of walking.

Get in an area that has plenty of sign, get set up downwind and downhill from any main trail, and make some low volume calls, if nothing happens, pick up the pace with some lost calf calls, before you give up and go try a new area, try some distress calls.

If you bust a herd, do nothing but find a good spot to set up (make sure you have good shooting lanes) and try a regathering call, you might have to pass on the bull, as usually a sattelite is the first to come try to steal a cow from the herd, but you have a good chance of a young cow or calf coming back that got left behind.

[Amoose]

#49385

[Amoose]

#49397

http://www.roehuntingresources.com/

[bruc]

#50661

Good video ❗

Wonder who is the guy:?:

Bruce

[Author]

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