Calling during October?

[BRazz]

Seems like most of us here (myself included) are hardcore archery hunters first, so much of the conversation centers around September. But this year I also got a rifle tag for Colorado's first rifle season (Oct 11-15). I'm usually the guide/sherpa during this family trip so I'm excited to carry a rfle for a change!

During this time of year we occasionally hear a bugle, but I've always been too timid to try them myself. We'll use cow calls sparingly or to stop an elk that somebody spooked through our saddle, but that's about it for the calling. FWIW, the archery pressure in our particular spot is pretty substantial during archery season (higher than during rifle season).

Anybody here have input on how much they call during mid-October? Unsolicited calling? Location bugles at night? Wait until you hear the elk first? Varies by year? ... Thanks!!!

[Wyo67]

Will be following this post... Would like to know as well. While on a cow rifle hunt last year, I heard a round-up bugle in mid-late November. Found a small herd of 10-12 cows with a bull heading up the mountain to bed. Boggled my mind. Wasn't expecting to hear it and didn't even have a call on me to respond.

[flystrait]

As Troy stated below this is from Oct 26th and they killed this bull by bugling him in.


This was October 26th. But the same scenario has played out for us from September 1st to late October. I had to shorten this clip to fit it on the Forum. But I located this bull with a bugle,I don't think I ever cow called with this bull. Turn up your speakers.
Attachments
[ Play Quicktime file ]Calling Deb's Bull Elk Trimmed Audio Clip 2013.m4a [ 1012.48 KiB | Viewed 184 times ]

Glacier Country Hunting Calls
http://www.glaciercountryhuntingcalls.com
https://www.facebook.com/GlacierCountryHuntingCalls

Glacier CountryForum Sponsor Posts: 213Joined: 03 16, 2013Location: MontanaFirst Name: Troy

Top

[under H2O hunter]

Every year I hunt both archery and first rifle season... This year will be no exception. I have called elk many of times during October. I have also cow called elk in during November. The thing to remember is this. "What do the elk want to hear?" Are they post rut or are they still rutting? Cows and calves talk all the time so using cow sounds work best. However there are still cows that need breeding during october and bulls are selfish and will challenge other bulls to breed these cows so using bugles works just as well at times. I personally think that the later you get into October and early November the less likely you'll bugle one in. But you can certainly locate elk with a bugle.

Good luck and don't be afraid to try and bugle one in. I think you'll surprise yourself with what you see.

[brun]

If you are lucky enough to be in an area without too much pressure you have a good chance of calling bulls in during October, especially the first half of the month.
I usually do more cow calling at this time, but don't be afraid to bugle if you get a bull going. There are still cows that haven't been bred and the bulls don't care what month it is, they still want to "get some" I think you literally "play it by ear", and adjust to what is going on, but at times I have gotten bulls really worked up in October.
Another thing to remember is that if you are rifle hunting you don't have to bring a bull right to you. Sometimes you can get one to step into a clearing to check out the sounds he is hearing. That may be enough for a rifle shot.

[Ghost]

Fly, do you have a link to the thread or to the video?

[Wapiti]

You bet guys carry your reeds and tubes late in the season !! Last year we called in 30 bulls from Oct 1-Oct 18th !! They were still going strong !!