Call to a bull herding cows in late October?

[ABElkChaser]

Hi everyone,
I just got back from the field and was surprised to find that the bulls are still actively bugling and herding cows. I had one bull bugling every three to four minutes (or even more frequently) in a thick timbered gully. I tried to stalk in, but between playing the wind and the noisy ground, I couldn’t get a visual. I probably got within 60–70 yards before he moved off, likely pushing his cows. Later, near last light, I spotted him again out in the open, still actively herding around 20–25 cows and calves.


My question is: in this kind of situation, is a “listen and stalk” approach best, or could calling be effective? I tried a few cow calls, but only after he had already moved off so probably too late by then.

This was the last day of bow. More bugles on opening morning of rifle but couldn't catch up before he/they moved off onto private. Again no visual, and this would have a been a different bull as I ran into another hunter who killed the bull from the previous day.

Thanks all!

 

[Weldor]

For me, I find it works sometimes and other times the bull with cows will just push them away from another bull bugling. Later in the rut usually. JMHO.

 

[Poser]

If I were in that situation, I would call only if it were the only option. A bull herding cows will often just move his cows away from a potential suitor vs. fighting him off unless you are close enough to leave him no other option. If you can stalk in and get a shot without bugling, this will likely be your best chance for success. If you can't pull that off, get as close as you can and then challenge him.

Think about it this way, You're walking with your wife down the sidewalk and some guy across the street is insulting you directly and telling her she needs a real man. Are you really going to leave your wife alone and cross the street and fight this guy or are you going to just usher your wife away?
Now, this same guy gets right up in your face and does the same, you may have no choice but to resort to violence. There's at least a greater chance of this interloper eliciting a violent reaction out of you than from across the street.

 

[Hnthrdr]

That bull has likely been called to at for a month plus… I would say if they are talking there is 0 need for you to. He is telling you where he is at. Also don’t forget his cows have a lot of say in what’s going on… they can and will take a bull and pull him to the next unit if there is a savy head cow that doesn’t like something

 

[HunterGatherer]

If he won’t shut up just move in on him. Your odds of calling him away from his herd vs having him round em up and head out are very slim. If I need to move through thick, noisy and/or brushy cover I might use a few cow calls so the elk don’t get nervous about this unknown encroaching presence but that’s about the extent of it.

If you get busted and elk start running you can use a bugle as a last resort, you have nothing to lose at that point. Cows often scatter when an intruder bull comes in to try to steal them and maybe you get real lucky and the bull actually does come looking for a fight but IME it’s rare

 

[ABElkChaser]

Thanks all. In hind sight thinking I should have been a bit more aggressive moving in and maybe using some cow calls to cover the noise I would be making. I grew up whitetail hunting and have a hard time adapting to being stealthy not be quite a critical for elk. I also need to accept that throwing out a few calls and then coming upon elk 15 minutes later isn't necessarily a coincidence.