Was able to sneak away for a day hunt yesterday. Wow, what a day! After a 3 mile hike, I made it up to the saddle I was aiming for a little later about 8:00am. I let out a bugle and immediately got a response about 300 yards away. A few more bugles from me, and a few more responses it was clear he wasn't moving. I made my way to him, bugling back and forth the whole way. By the time I got within 80 yards or so, I hear sticks popping and he is coming in. I see his antlers rise over the hill and I draw. He hangs up at 50 yards and chuckles. Then he turns his head and I see he is a 7-point with main beams that look like they could have scratched his butt. I never had a clean shot. After a couple minutes he leaves, and I take a minute to stop my knees from shaking.
Ended up calling in 3 bulls within 50 yards, but never had a shot I felt good about on any of them. I didn't expect the bulls to be so vocal already. Especially considering the hot weather where I'm hunting. I even had an encounter with a bull that was with a group of cows.
I really needed a calling partner to set up behind me to pull them in that extra bit. Anyone have some pointers for bugling in bulls when you're hunting solo? They seem to hang up just behind something to obscure a shot and stare right at me. When they don't see an elk, they get spooked and leave.