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Sep 17, 2024 SPIKE HUNTING IN by: Anonymous My grandson's and I live Washington state now and are trying to Archery Hunt elk but all the units within a few hours drive are spike only unless you get drawn for a special permit which are hard to get. The boy's can't take a whole general season off from their jobs. So they can only hunt weekend or maybe 4/5 days at a time at the most. Washington is a very high pressure hunting state for elk. In 5 seasons of elk hunting we have only seen 4 spikes. 2 where hanging in a camp and the other 2 where in an area off limits to hunting. We know how to find bulls and cows and see them all the time in the general season but no spikes. Any suggestions on what tactics to change and/or places to go to get specific information about spikes in Washington? Some Game department officials aren't that forth coming with helpful information it seems.

Sep 17, 2024 SPIKE HUNTING IN by: Anonymous My grandson's and I live Washington state now and are trying to Archery Hunt elk but all the units within a few hours drive are spike only unless you get drawn for a special permit which are hard to get. The boy's can't take a whole general season off from their jobs. So they can only hunt weekend or maybe 4/5 days at a time at the most. Washington is a very high pressure hunting state for elk. In 5 seasons of elk hunting we have only seen 4 spikes. 2 where hanging in a camp and the other 2 where in an area off limits to hunting. We know how to find bulls and cows and see them all the time in the general season but no spikes. Any suggestions on what tactics to change and/or places to go to get specific information about spikes in Washington? Some Game department officials aren't that forth coming with helpful information it seems.

Jan 12, 2020 Spike bulls by: Anonymous Like teenage boys interested in teenage girls, spike bulls can't resist a love call from a cow in heat outside the reach of the dominant bull elk, whom they avoid a fight with at all costs. I totally agree with using a bugle to locate the herd bull and then using cow love calls to attract the spikes hovering around the perimeter. When the rut begins, herd bulls bugle in answer to other bugles warning the challenger to back off. That's why it's fairly easy to get them to answer. The curious (and horny) spikes can't resist a sexy sounding cow in heat looking for a date. Practice your calls and happy hunting!

Feb 11, 2012 Super Comments by: Anonymous You are a voice of experience no doubt . Have never seen a spiker come to a bugle .They surely ivestigate an estrous cow call . Seems toward the end of the estrous season when no longer afaid of the bigger bulls .We have taken 4 spikers in the last 5 years in exactly the same place , same stand using a cow call .Going to try decoy, scent and different calls this year. Lets see what happens .

Apr 08, 2011 Spikes by: Colo Archer-Joel My opinion is that if you are seeking a spike, only bugle if you need to locate a herd. Once you locate a mature bull, chances are that there will be a few spikes roaming the outskirts of the herd. Use effective cow calls and chances are, you will have one or several spikes that just won't leave you alone! Every archery season I have spikes literally follow me around the mountains. On multiple occasions I have called the same spikes in several times throughout the same day. If you practice your cow calls, you should have no problem putting a tasty spike on the ground. Good luck! Joel

Feb 28, 2011 Hunting Spike Elk by: Dave, Elk Hunting Tips (MT) Lance, My experience has been that spikes are the easiest to call to you. I have had them respond to bugles, but, you're right, they might not come in close to a bugle. I always cringe when I see spike elk, because I have had them walk right up to me when I was cow-calling. Sometimes they act stupid and just can't believe there isn't a cow there. "I KNOW I heard a cow!" I have actually had to wave them off to get past them before. They almost always come in quietly because they are scared of other bulls. So, they end up just standing there looking at me all of a sudden because I was focused on bugling bulls. Just use your cow call effectively. (Go to the elk calling pages.) They often can't resist coming in to look at a cow in estrus. That's about all they can do anyway, look. You're problem will be if a bigger bull comes in first! Carry a camera. Good luck! Spike are good eating.

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Forum Topic Discussions:

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Any success in Unit 14?, by: Dave (MI), "I'm planning on doing a DIY in Unit 14 for 2012..."

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Bugle in Herd bulls, by Swiltbank (Az) The key to calling in a herd bull is to get into his bedding grounds and threaten his herd. Start off sounding like…

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Best Big Game Rifle?

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7mm Remington Magnum, by Dean (Helena, MT. USA) I use my Liberty Ruger M77, 7mm Rem. Mag. for antelope, deer, elk... Comment: "What do you guys think about the idea of hunting elk with a 270? I also know a guy who kills elk with a 243."

338 Marlin Express, "Light, fast shooting, hard hitting, manageable recoil, and for a lever gun - very accurate."

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.35 Remington, by Bill Smith "...my .35 Rem appears to have dropped a medium deer flawlessly, but I now have serious doubts as to its capability to take an elk."

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Idaho Elk Hunting

Elk Hunting Idaho Unit 8 8A 11, This is my first year seriously trying to track down some elk. Is there anyone that has hunted in any of these units and can give me some friendly advice? Mitchell, Moscow Idaho

Elk Hunting Pocatello by Cameron (Pocatello) Where is the best place to elk hunt around Pocatello, Idaho? I'm a student at ISU and I'm looking for somewhere around here to hunt next season.

How is the elk hunting in unit 30A in Idaho?, by Terry (Richland Center, WI) Has anyone archery elk hunted in unit 30A in Idaho? What can you tell me about the area?

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Elk Hunting In Montana

Hunting in Western Montana, by Mike A. (Alabama)

I did not draw a tag for Missouri breaks where I have hunted in the past. Having to start over and try western Montana.

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New Mexico Elk Hunting

New Mexico Unit 49, by Silas (Los Alamos, NM)

If anyone has tips on areas to start scouting, I'd really appreciate it.

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"Any good places known in unit 222?"

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