Spot and Stalk Only?

Joined
Jan 8, 2025
Location
Nampa, Idaho
Hey Y'll

I am really new to Elk hunting. Shot my first ever bull last year with a rifle in Wyoming. I want to go back and bow hunt the same spot. Trouble is it will take several years to draw a bull tag again. So if I went for a cow instead, I can get a OTC cow tag. What are the strategies for hunting cows with a bow. Spot and Stalk only?

Thank you
 
September cow hunts are a gift. Fighting off spikes can be a chore, but cows respond very well to calling.

For spot and stalk, they gotta eat....roll up on the feeding area at the crack of dawn and if that falls apart, they're gonna bed within about 15/20 minutes of elk walking.....which could be 1 mile or 500 yards depending on the location. Let them bed for an hour and get sneaky.
 
Spot and intercept is a favorite archery tactic of mine.

I would much rather have my target moving towards me versus me moving towards the target if possible.
 
Typically the cows should be around bulls, so you can try to locate the bulls through calling them sneak in for a shot at one of his cows.
 
Spot and intercept is a favorite archery tactic of mine.

I would much rather have my target moving towards me versus me moving towards the target if possible.
Amen brother! There is usually a bedded cow that you don't see who greets you peaking over a rock with a bark.
I do not call. My elk killing mentor taught me to never draw any attention to my location around a group of cows. Stupid September bulls are different. September cows are not stupid.
His theory:
hunter moving, elk stationary, advantage cows
hunter stationary, elk moving, advantage hunter.
The skill is getting into position to intercept.
 
Follow a herd in the timber and calf call until a cow comes around to see what’s up. Don’t freak out if a straggler calf sees you and barks, the herd doesn’t believe them.
 
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