Yes, calling is the ultimate adrenalin rush, we all want to experience it, problem is there's a time & place for it & we must recognize this in order to use it correctly! When elk are on the quiet side no matter the date in Sept/Oct you are hunting it is because no cows are in estrus or nearing it by a day or two. Bulls know this & can get in the "quiet mode" -- Spot & Stalk is great where country open enough allows it! Ambushing elk at "destination" spots such as water, wallows trails, escape areas where elk move through nearly everyday to stay in front of other hunters, all these can be options to consider the put you into elk range!
Things to consider is that bulls could care less about you cow calling at these times, they simply do not respond or come your way with any degree of satisfaction! Why, because they know there are not any hot cows in the area, sure we can imitate a breeding/elk party sequence to trick them but it's not your best bet, it's much better used when bulls are showing signs of rutting! For the more quiet times your best method of use is to Advertise/Display a new bull in their area!!!! This is what real bulls do all the time, they let other elk in the area know there's another kid on the block, this raises curiosity to other bulls within earshot & can bring them your way to size you up! It's a common occurrence in the elk world at this stage! They generally come in silent but they do come a high percentage of the time!!
To imitate a Advertising/Displaying action get to 150yds or closer if possible. (I've called bulls 1/2 mile away too with this) Start raking tree/brush & shuffle your feet around & add light stomping & rolling small rocks, do this for a minute & now add a short bugle scream, rake another minute & slowly intensify it, add chuckling, groans & moans the best you can, make it as real as possible, you are Advertising yourself to other elk. You may have to do this sequence for 30 minutes with 30sec to no more than 1 minute pauses, mix up your bugles to short & long ones, some with chuckling & some with none, Chuckle 1st then bugle, again, make it real & mix it up! Listen, listen, listen as elk will slip in silently in most cases. If two hunters put them out 50-75 yds out in front with good wind from where you feel elk should come from! Elk are herd animals, this will peak their curiosity to see who this bull is????? Do not cow call!!!! Have a good setup, do not use this method where approaching elk can see the source of calling too far out & see nothing, put them into search mode & force them into bowrange!
ElkNut1