Solo archery elk tactics

[dusty208]

I grew up hunting an elk unit that was spike only witch sounds easy but it wasn't lol I could call in bulls all day but now living in Montana hunting pressured elk without someone else calling I keep getting busted they come in silent and I never have time to set up for a shot or even get a shot off.

Is the answer to just try and find elk that aren't pressured or is there some tactics that I haven't tried

 

[bpctcb]

I'm sure unpressured elk would help, but if they are coming in to your setup then I don't think that's your problem. You probably need to adjust your setup/technique some.

I'd read elk it's stuff or some of the elk experts that post here or on bowsite.

Good luck!

BP

 

[Jon Boy]

I kind of switched styles this year sense I mostly hunt solo. If bulls are bugling I dont call any more and just move in on there location. Works better in some areas than others. Worked well for me this year on a 6 point bull.

 

[5MilesBack]

I get busted a lot by silent bulls. I'm not very patient and almost always on the move. This year I was chasing down a big herd bull with 50+ cows and running to get to a good spot to cut them off, when I ran right past a satellite bull at 15 yards above me. Well of course he busted and then the rest of the herd did too.

It can be tough solo, but that's also half of the challenge.

 

[Rizzy]

Set up in the middle of some noisy crunchy stuff so you can hear them coming It's worked for me a few times.
Also when you get busted give them an agressive scream so the other elk in the area think it was a big bull that was responsible for the commotion. This tactic is straight out of Elknuts play book and it has worked for me like a charm many times as I spook a lot of Elk sometimes

 

[Jared Bloomgren]

Patience isn't an option, It's a virtue.

Silent bulls can be tough. Each time I set up I set up in a positon to expect a silent bull to come in. I use terrain to my advantage and always try to limit the bull so that he has to come from one direction. Using really nasty thick downed timber, cliffs, rock or anything that will channel the elk. Although this isn't always an option I will always set up in a location that I can get a good visual of a silent bull coming in. After you think you are done calling, wait a good 15 minutes before leaving the area in case a bull is there or moving in. This will give you the best chance to see him before he sees you. This is a must when you are solo. It requires more attention and patience as well! Try not to get complacent.

It can be frustrating at times solo and with a partner. Last year in WY myself and my girlfriend set up in a good location with really thick deadfall to one side that dropped off a steep ridge. The other side was sparse timber that was tore up with elk sign. I was certain the bull would come from that side. Terrain didn't allow us to sit together so we tried to sit 40 yards apart to call. I was the shooter and the bugler, my girlfriend was the raker, making an attempt to sound like a bull thrashing a tree. After 15 minutes and after I ended an advertising sequence I saw movement to my right. It was a really good bull moving in on my girlfriend as she raked. Unfortunately she wasn't watching me to get her to stop. That bull walked right up to her at 12 yards and of course I didn't have a shot! He busted. He came in silent and from a direction I didn't expect, through the nasty stuff! Lesson: It doesn't always go as planned! If I was solo, I may have killed him that day! Who knows?

Luckily I killed that bull three days later by tracking him to his bed through the snow. Solo.

 

[ElkNut1]

Not sure what you're wanting to hunt as you do not mention that? Most newer archery elk hunters are after any elk, this means they are not looking for the larger bulls or bulls only. There's good advice above. Here's a tactic that seems to work every year in bringing elk your way. As mentioned patience is a virtue on quiet elk. You need to draw on their curiosity at this time for best results! Here's some info to consider!

Blind Cold Calling Setups
This is a very good Early Season Calling System that we've used for years! It's should be noted that it's a technique that we go too when elk are generally silent & in the Pre-rut phase! Of course this can be used at anytime in Late Aug. all of Sept & Oct. ---


When interested in taking "any elk" we use specific "setups" I call them "Cold or Blind Calling Setups", it's sort of like "trolling" for elk. These are very easy to master & more importantly highly effective yet very doable for newer & veteran elk hunters.

Do your best to setup where the wind is in your favor as to where you feel elk should approach from. Also make absolutely sure your setup is one where elk CANNOT look over your way & see where sounds are coming from but be OUTSIDE your effective range! When possible I like setting up where I have obstructions or large openings behind me where the wind could possibly give me up. Elk generally will avoid openings or these obstructions on their way over. Do not take these words lightly, it is extremely important that elk cannot wind you or see where the sounds are coming from BEFORE they get into your bowrange!

Setups as this can be accomplished as a lone hunter or with multiple hunters by being 20-30-40 yards apart & generally in a triangle type pattern. Start with light cow calling as if you are entering an area a few at a time, you never know if there are some elk very nearby so slowly escalate volume & a mixture of cow/calf sounds & listen intently! If nothing stirs or sounds off then continue on for a 3-5 minute period as if you were a small herd feeding & milling around & now have come to a "holding" area. Wind the calling down & settle in for 4-5 minutes & listen carefully for anything unusual or walking around. If nothing, slowly pick up the chatter again for 4-5 more minutes listening & watching intently this entire time, and then wind it down again. Hopefully elk are within earshot, elk can be a 100yds or a mile away in any direction yet selective sounds & setups can pull them your way.

By injecting a single cow giving excited whines 3-5 individual ones varying in pitch & volume in a 15 second span & no more, you are now showing other elk that there is a cow in the mix possibly feeling urges of estrus or coming into heat as she is a bit restless. Add some light stomping & rustling branches & brush, roll rocks to make it real now & then throughout your two calling sequences. This method can attract both cows & bulls alike as elk are herd animals & can become very curious as to who these others are in the area that they're not familiar with. The excited/restless cow whine can denote urges that a cow can have as she nears her estrus cycle, this can excite & bring bulls from a wide variety of group ages your way to check out this possible hot cow in the group!

After the two calling sessions of off & on communication of this supposed group of cows, now inject a small bull or cow bugle, this is an immature high note with no grunting or chuckling needed. (this is optional) Yes, cows bugle in small groups as this, other elk know this! At times this is all that's needed to attract curious nearby elk & can really sell the bill of goods as authentic! Be ready & willing to setup up right there from 45min to one hour!

If after bulls only let us know!

ElkNut1

 

[dusty208]

Thank you guys I see things I was over looking and things I was doing right but maybe not giving it enough faith

 

[MAT]

A decoy helps, but you have to make sure you use it. Another tip is never stand and call in the same spot. Call, then move 20 yds away with a shot to the calling location. Elk come to the call, and if you are solo you don't want them walking up to you. The decoy helps because they are looking for the elk, so I call at the deek then move away.