calling bulls

by Jasper
(Colorado)

This is my 5th yr elk hunting archery I have a had little excitement but no success. does a guy need to be staying on the cow calls heavy or bugles when trying to locate a bull?

Comments for calling bulls

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Oct 06, 2011
Cow Call
by: Brian,IDAHO

I found this year just like the past 4 that i've had much more luck with cow calls due to wolf in area I hunt. I'VE BUGGLED AND HAD WOLVES HOWLING RIGHT AFTER, BUT GOOD LUCK AND HAVE A GOOD HUNT.

Sep 25, 2011
Mistakes Calling Bulls
by: Dave, Elk Hunting Tips (MT)

That's one thing you don't see on the elk hunting videos. The many, many little mistakes. I've learned a lot from my mistakes this year. I hope it doesn't cost me a bull harvest with a bow.

Sometimes you get stuck behind a tree and can't move, but BEHIND a tree is not the place to set up when you're calling. Trust your camo (or buy ASAT) and set up properly in front of break up cover. Plan when to risk the draw movement and then do it quickly and stop him when he's in a window with a chirp.

Easier said than done! It's easy to make mistakes, like moving when I should be waiting. It's good to remember there are other bulls out there than the one I'm hearing.

I was moving toward a bugling bull this morning when I saw a bull walking 70 yards out. He didn't see me, but had to let him walk and then try to call him back. No go.

Sep 25, 2011
Hung up bulls
by: Idaho Steve

I cow called a 5x5 bull in this a.m. I got him to come within about 30 yards and he was coming closer, though silently, and I stupidly poked my head out behind a tree to get a glimpse and got busted. He didn't freak, but briskly strolled back up over a small ridge and shut up. I was using pretty aggressive cow calls. He came in pretty fast.

Later, I worked a spike and a larger bull, appeared to be about 4x4. Both bugled off and on for about 15 minutes but would not come closer than about 40-45 yards. I was a little more tentative this time. Should I have continued to be aggressive? Seemed like the more I talked (all calls were cow) the less they bugled. So I decided to back off, and they vanished. Also spooked a bull with his small harem in thick brush. They never saw me (all were looking attentively in the other direction, but they knew something was up and darted). What a day!

Dec 07, 2010
Agreed
by: Jhall

I total agree with you comments. As you hunt more often it will come natural to know what to do. Sometimes that is to just be quiet and let him come to you. www.coloradoelkcamp.com

Sep 09, 2010
Calling to Locate Bulls
by: Dave, MT

I am a little reluctant to do a lot of bugling. I do bugle to locate, but I am learning this year from a friend of mine that more aggressive bugling does work in some areas. It depends a lot on the elk you are hunting and how "educated" they are to bugles from humans.

Use a timid bugle to locate and then do whatever seems to be working once you get closer. With experience you can learn to sort of read his mood and respond accordingly. If he's excited, but hanging up, try something else. If he seems to like what you're doing, keep it up! If he's hung, get more aggressive.

If he won't come to you, try going to him. If you can walk right into his living room without getting busted, then call again, you might end up with him right in your lap!

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