Calling During Rifle Season

[OregonSteeler]

I have an upcoming late elk rifle season coming up in November. I haven't hunted elk much with a rifle as I've focused mainly on archery the past couple of years. Having that archery background, I've become pretty proficient with my elk calls, both bugling and cow calls.

My question is who uses elk calls during their rifle hunts? I honestly don't plan to even bring the bugle tube but do plan on cow calling a bit. Though my reservations are: 1. safety regarding sounding like an elk with other rifle hunters around. 2. Are the elk so skittish after a month long of archery and another rifle season previous to mine, that any sound coming from somewhere other than their herd will make them head for the hills.

Would love to hear if anyone else uses elk calls during their rifle hunts and if you've found it helpful, hurtful, or hadn't made a difference?

 

[intunegp]

Late October/early November I typically cow call a little bit but after 13 years of doing it I'm not sure it makes any difference. I'm talking about blind calling just putting out "hey I'm an elk and I'm over here" into the world. It is mostly when I'm bored and not seeing much or any movement. I'm sure it could be effective in stopping a walking elk but I've never been in a situation that it was needed.

A guy I used to hunt with bugled at a group of cows that were several hundred yards away and they turned and walked the other direction. A bull I killed on Halloween 2020 bugled as he was walking solo right as it got light enough to see...he seemed like he was returning to bed after grazing/watering and just let out a wimpy/half-assed bugle that I thought was another hunter until I saw him.

Elk are out there year round communicating with each other, I figure a couple cow calls here and there can't hurt.

 

[Ross]

You can have some great results in the 2nd and 3rd estrus. Fewer cows into estrus can create a short intense window. Most of my October bulls either were call ins or bugling took me that direction. November I have had them bugle a few times, but is not something I’m actively using for a response.

 

[mtnbound]

In the late season, I use a calf call.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

You should use your bugle all day. That way the elk leave you and come to me.

 

[db3445]

You can have some great results in the 2nd and 3rd estrus. Fewer cows into estrus can create a short intense window. Most of my October bulls either were call ins or bugling took me that direction. November I have had them bugle a few times, but is not something I’m actively using for a response.

Can you elaborate on the 2nd and 3rd estrous? I have read the the mature cows come into estrous first at the fall equinox and the younger cows come into estrous later, triggering another rutting period for the bulls. Is that correct?

Are there certain events that kick off the 2nd and 3rd estrous similar to how the fall equinox kicks the 1st estrous off?

 

[Ross]

The 2nd estrus for cow elk typically occurs about 20-28 days after the first estrus cycle, falling in mid to late October, and involves cows that were not bred during the initial, peak rut of September. This period is marked by a secondary surge of rutting activity, though it is less intense than the peak rut and involves more unbred cows, yearlings, and dispersed groups rather than large harems. Simply a matter of days after the first estrus and if you catch it right it can be awesome @db3445

 

[Smoke10]

I seldom call during rifle season. Hunting high pressure/general areas in rifle season, my experience has been elk rarely come to calls...

I always have a reed with me to use after shooting though. Sometimes the elk will stop and look back when you cow call right after a shot. I do this just in case a follow-up shot is needed, or if you are hunting with a friend and trying to double up.

 

[awcopeland]

There’s a separate thread that just went up the other day where a guy arrowed a cow that had a full fetus. I want to say he killed early in September, meaning it was likely bred late December ish timeframe.

Elk will be elk and breeding will occur, but like stated above, it will be less theatrical as fall wanes and turns to winter.

October can be Jurassic Park for sure. I’ve got to experience that and it’s awesome with a rifle.

In November I would leave the bugle tube but have a reed or two available.

 

[justinspicher]

No calling for me during rifle either. All of the folks who come here do it for me. Everytime I’ve tried calling, I’ve just had dudes from Texas show up.

 

[Gpw]

That’s some funny chit

 

[Floated_down]

In my experience by late rifle season, bugling is a surefire way to send elk in the opposite direction. cow calls can be effective in small doses, but theres no doubt that by that time of year bulls are pretty wary of any calls coming from outside of their herd so dont overdo it.

 

[OregonSteeler]

In my experience by late rifle season, bugling is a surefire way to send elk in the opposite direction. cow calls can be effective in small doses, but theres no doubt that by that time of year bulls are pretty wary of any calls coming from outside of their herd so dont overdo it.

This is exactly what I was thinking.