Elk! What Would You Have Done?

[11boo]

Solid intel. I have never tried it like that, but will Now.

 

[ElkNut1]

Thanks! Yes there are several avenues a hunter could have taken there & had success in calling that bull in. You have the App, go to the Round Up Bugle there & listen to that bull, you'll see it denotes power & urgency, that's what he used.

Also the sound you're referring to with Joel is a Lip Bawl, where do you think he learned it? (big grin)

As a sidenote here I see Raking was mentioned a couple of times, it's a great strategy when used at the right time! Take note that this hunter had not called to this bull for 1-1/2 hour as he trailed the group. We need to be careful when getting in close as he did & start with Raking, it's a good way to send them all packing, why?

Elk can be skittish critters & can bolt out of the area if startled by unknown sounds, it's all about survival out there. You're best to start by imitating an elk sound such as a cow or bull when that close & then go into raking, this establishes identity as to what's making that raking/breaking branches sound. It's easy in our human minds to want to think for the elk & feel the raking is automatically from another bull, don't chance it, you can send them the other way in a heartbeat!

Personally, if I start with a couple of soft mews I will then go right into raking/displaying for this cow I'm with.

2nd, if a bull sound is used in a more subtle approach I will go to a single chuckle on very low volume, 2-3 that are 5-10 seconds apart & then start raking. Either of these can be extremely effective leading up to raking. Food for thought!

ElkNut

 

[5MilesBack]

I just look at it this way: You walk into a bar and there's the stud bull across the room with his harem. What's the easiest and quickest way to get him to come to you? Throw all your options into this equation and see which option makes the most logical sense. And there's your answer.

 

[Alpineelk]

Thanks Paul. I enjoyed this. Got anymore??

 

[87TT]

The more I learn, the more I feel confident in trying things. That has translated into more opportunities to use the things I learned. Thanks Paul.
Your story reminds me of my first shot at a bull. Totally different type of encounter but I had to think on my feet at the spur of the moment and think about what the elk would think.

 

[canthitbombz]

One note ( from personal experience ). If you use this route...BE READY! I mean, arrow knocked, in your set up spot, ground cleared around you, able to draw..etc. They come fast and ready to fight, they are not going to stop and scan and it will most definitley be a frontal shot. I did not do any of this and was caught with my perverbal pants down.

 

[akcabin]

Kinda gotta be ready for anything. I hunt moose so maybe how I think is different there.
Yes surviving is a priority. Just like when 2 big dogs meet. They check each other out and look tough but both know that if they fight they are going to get hurt to. They posture and split kinda theory.
If I have a bull coming in, I hardly never use a heavy bull grunt. Usually a cow in heat. I don't want him to think that a big bull is escorting a cow. A small bull. So he feels confident he can kick ass. Building hormones along the way. Don't want to scare him or make him nervous. Jealous n all tough because he has confidence.
I guess just another way to set the table. And sometimes you gotta be there because it will be different every time.
And having 1300 pounds of bull moose coming in on you can wake you up real fast. Been there almost before I got my britches pulled up out on Stoney River. He tasted really good though

 

[vladkgb]

Thank you Elk Nut, great app for a newbie like myself and i love these scenarios you post.

 

[ID_Snow]

Very cool, thanks for the learning opportunity.