On occasion we will run into those bulls that may bugle 3 to 5 times in a 15 to 20 minute span. They can continue to do so for quite some time if you just sat & listened & didn't make a play on them. This bull is bugling by himself, no other bulls are responding to him, why? He's not talking to other bulls he's focusing his efforts on Advertising his position in an effort to draw cows his way. Basically there is no rutting taking place in that area. It's a great time for a bull to add to or start building his own harem. Many units in dark timber areas have very noisy dry conditions & a silent stalk is out of the question on this vocal bull, when this happens calling can be the key! -- On occasion you give a few cow calls & the ole boy comes your way but more times than not he stays put, he may call back to you or shut down completely. Here's a Tactic that has worked for us many times & could help you! >>>>>>>>>>>
Before you call to this non rutting bull work to or inside 150 yards or so distance & choose a good setup where he cannot see the source of the calling until into range, give a couple low volume mews a hair longer than a social mew. You may have to give 3-4 sets of two or three mews 30 seconds to one minute apart from one another before he responds. When he does you've got the hook set, don't jerk the rod yet! (grin) Wait one or two minutes & call back the same way with the low mews from your same position, this lets him know you haven't moved, this is good! A bull can play with you back & forth for up to 20-30 minutes easily but stay patient he will come!
Here's where you set the hook! After 10 minutes or so of being in that spot start to retreat slowly away from the bull, as you do crack sticks & rustle brush or whatever is nearby, you will also give very low whines that most hunters would have to strain to hear as you retreat! Don't worry about being to low in volume, the bull will hear them. Slowly move away calling as you do, take a full minute to wander back 50+ yards or so as you continue to rustle things painting a picture in the bulls eyes you are losing interest in him & leaving. Once at that 50 yd mark hold there for 30 seconds or so & give 4-5 mews in that 30 second period. If alone scoot back silently where the bull heard you give your 1st cow call, that's where he will show up, don't call anymore, be patient & confident he'll sneak in.
If two hunters, then the shooter will stay at the original calling spot as the caller moves away calling as described above, the caller can continue out to 70-80 yards or so mewing softly now & then showing the bull her new location, most bulls can't take it & come over to catch up, some can bugle there way to you but most do not! This works great on non-rutting bulls on OTC DIY elk!
Here's an OTC bull we took with this exact Tactic!
This Tactic along with many others is in the ElkNut Mobile App!
ElkNut/Paul
Before you call to this non rutting bull work to or inside 150 yards or so distance & choose a good setup where he cannot see the source of the calling until into range, give a couple low volume mews a hair longer than a social mew. You may have to give 3-4 sets of two or three mews 30 seconds to one minute apart from one another before he responds. When he does you've got the hook set, don't jerk the rod yet! (grin) Wait one or two minutes & call back the same way with the low mews from your same position, this lets him know you haven't moved, this is good! A bull can play with you back & forth for up to 20-30 minutes easily but stay patient he will come!
Here's where you set the hook! After 10 minutes or so of being in that spot start to retreat slowly away from the bull, as you do crack sticks & rustle brush or whatever is nearby, you will also give very low whines that most hunters would have to strain to hear as you retreat! Don't worry about being to low in volume, the bull will hear them. Slowly move away calling as you do, take a full minute to wander back 50+ yards or so as you continue to rustle things painting a picture in the bulls eyes you are losing interest in him & leaving. Once at that 50 yd mark hold there for 30 seconds or so & give 4-5 mews in that 30 second period. If alone scoot back silently where the bull heard you give your 1st cow call, that's where he will show up, don't call anymore, be patient & confident he'll sneak in.
If two hunters, then the shooter will stay at the original calling spot as the caller moves away calling as described above, the caller can continue out to 70-80 yards or so mewing softly now & then showing the bull her new location, most bulls can't take it & come over to catch up, some can bugle there way to you but most do not! This works great on non-rutting bulls on OTC DIY elk!
Here's an OTC bull we took with this exact Tactic!
This Tactic along with many others is in the ElkNut Mobile App!
ElkNut/Paul
