Elk behavior question during rut hunting

[rob86jeep]

A buddy and I were elk hunting during the Sep rut in CO (archery). We heard a bull bugle (guessing a few hundred yards away) about 30 min before legal hunting hours ended at night so we set up in a hurry to see what would happen. My buddy did a lost cow call and instantly the bull bugled in response. Then, after every cow call, the bull would bugle back but was continually getting closer. This back and forth took place for about 5 minutes (around 4 to 5 cow calls) and his bugle sounded more intense/aggravated each time. The last time, my buddy did an assembly mew and the bull bugled back with a chuckle at the end and sounded like he was only about 50-60 yards away. A cow ended up presenting herself for a shot first at 40ish yards which my buddy took. We never saw the bull as they both ran after arrowing the cow.

So, my question is what was going on? I'm thinking the cow was coming to the calling and the bull was pissed and bugling for the cow stay put but don't really know. It just seemed weird if the bull was coming in hot to the call only to have a cow in tow and present a shot first. What do you think?

 

[ElkNut1]

A buddy and I were elk hunting during the Sep rut in CO (archery). We heard a bull bugle (guessing a few hundred yards away) about 30 min before legal hunting hours ended at night so we set up in a hurry to see what would happen. My buddy did a lost cow call and instantly the bull bugled in response.

1 - The lost, separated cow sound was answered by the bull giving you a direction to where he & the cow were. When a bull responds to any cow call he is attempting to call the cow his way!

Then, after every cow call, the bull would bugle back but was continually getting closer. This back and forth took place for about 5 minutes (around 4 to 5 cow calls) and his bugle sounded more intense/aggravated each time.

2 - The bull was showing frustration with his continued bugling which showed more emotion than his first 'Come Over Here Bugle' because you were not meeting his requests of telling you to come his way, instead you guys were hanging up on him.

The last time, my buddy did an assembly mew and the bull bugled back with a chuckle at the end and sounded like he was only about 50-60 yards away. A cow ended up presenting herself for a shot first at 40ish yards which my buddy took. We never saw the bull as they both ran after arrowing the cow.

So, my question is what was going on? I'm thinking the cow was coming to the calling and the bull was pissed and bugling for the cow stay put but don't really know. It just seemed weird if the bull was coming in hot to the call only to have a cow in tow and present a shot first. What do you think?

3 - Your Lost Cow & Assembly/Regathering Mew was heard by both Cow & Bull so both were assisting this Separated cow. (You) The bull was vocal calling you over & the Cow came in to see why you weren't coming as the bull had asked you to. It's basic elk communication as they send & respond to a specific message! Since there was no threat of a 2nd bull introduced by you guys there was no real reason for the real bull to try to call his cow back, instead the bull was calling you guys! Hope this helps!

ElkNut/Paul

 

[rob86jeep]

That does help, thanks. The big question I had was whether the cow or the bull was coming in to the call. I never thought that it could have been both.

 

[ElkNut1]

Yes, it was both as I mentioned in the beginning of # 3.

You asked those elk (both) to come over to you when you switched from a Lost mew to the Assembly/Regathering mew. This would have been the same if there was one elk or ten, you simply were asking them to come over your way. -- It's no different if there was a man & woman in the timber you couldn't see but you said 'Hey Come Over Here' -- Both would come! Why wouldn't they? -- I know where you're coming from, you felt because you were making cow elk sounds & responding to the bulls bugles only he should be coming. In order for that to happen you would have to up the odds of a physical appearance by the bull over the cow by Challenge Bugling him to stay back. With him that close & you showing defensive action towards him you are portraying the cow that you are imitating is most likely showing signs of coming into estrus, that changes the message entirely & could bring the bull in quickly over the cow first!

ElkNut/Paul