Finding and Killing Bedded Bulls

[Trophyhill]

So you've made your way to a suspected transition area from feeding to bedding. Let's just say for the sake of argument your on the edge of a small meadow with water seeps surrounded by dark timbered ridges and fresh sign from calm animals. It's 1 pm and you hear or solicit that lazy bugle from 1 or more of the ridges or benches above you? How are you going to keep tabs on the bedded bull(s) and kill him?

[otcWill]

Honestly, where I hunt the wind can't be trusted at this time. I'm going to get the hell outta there fast and quiet and wait for the evening hunt from a good safe distance. The wind will stabilize and then I can make my move to an ambush point or try to call him in.

[elkmtngear]

Honestly, where I hunt the wind can't be trusted at this time. I'm going to get the hell outta there fast and quiet and wait for the evening hunt from a good safe distance. The wind will stabilize and then I can make my move to an ambush point or try to call him in.

Yeah, I'm laying low at this time, due to swirly winds as well. I might sit the downwind end of a wallow if it's in a basin, and my scent is somewhat contained. Otherwise, I'm taking a nap on a high bench somewhere.

[Lefty]

Im not in the woods!!!
Finding a bedded bull in the sage and rock is what I try to do in the open desert.
1Pm is perfect. The winds are generally consistent 7-20 mph, which make for a quiet stalk. The task is to find where other elk are bedded and be aware of other eyes.
Depending on topography the stalk is going to start about a mile or more out. Good topography and brush it could be an easy walk to withing 100 yards, or it could be a miserable belly crawl through the thin grass for hundreds of yards(
Its all about using the binos even more so under 200 yards moving when the elk isnt looking,
Placing a bush in front of his eye and moving when it is time to move.
I think I still have cacti in my belly from last fall

[easeup]

I have jumped in on these situations in the past. There have been times when because of the brush cover and wind that I would go straight at em and slowly and stealthly get into position. In each case there were always a cow or two or more that are positioned out there like sentry pawns. Easing in to less than 40 yds on these guys is doable also and usually I do not call either when so close. I have passed on the cows still in their beds trying to get the bull to stand and become clear of obstructions. But haven't got it done yet even though ever so close. I am all eyes and ears though for a new tip!

[JPD350]

So you've made your way to a suspected transition area from feeding to bedding. Let's just say for the sake of argument your on the edge of a small meadow with water seeps surrounded by dark timbered ridges and fresh sign from calm animals. It's 1 pm and you hear or solicit that lazy bugle from 1 or more of the ridges or benches above you? How are you going to keep tabs on the bedded bull(s) and kill him?

In this situation I would probably move away from the seep at least a 100yds or more in case some other elk decides to visit the seep during the afternoon then I would kick back and take cat naps and let the bull know that another bull is also bedded down in the area with a lazy bugle every 1/2 hour or hour, he will probably answer me with the same type of bugle, many times I have heard bulls keeping tabs on each other in this manner. As evening approached I would move closer to the seep and start with some cow talk, what I am hoping for is the bull to think he needs to get to the seep before the other bull in the area (me) and snatch the cows, I also want the cows to get up and feed towards the cow sounds I have been making, I more than likely will not bugle because I am wanting the cows to pull the bull towards me. If he does have cows he will be bugling for me to come to them but I don't think I would do any bugles, I want him to wonder where the other bull went and If my plan didn't pan out I would adapt.

Edit, It is a very fine line as to how much time you give your plan before you change and adopt a different plan, many times I have abandoned my plan only to find out that it was working perfectly and I just needed to stay patient. I also agree with others that moving in aggressively could also be a good plan but my first want is to bring the elk to me nice and easy.

[razorback]

No idea really, I'm anxious to hear Swede and Troy's plans.

[mongopino915]

Probably not the answers most would like to hear but have killed a couple of herd bulls in there bedded area at noon time. Yes, swirling wind will be 100% non-effective for any encounters. But given some consistent and predictable wind direction, we position ourselves as close to the herd (where we think they are resting) as possible and give 1 - 2 low volume soft cow calls and wait. If nothing happens for 20 minutes, we give another 1 - 2 low volume soft cow calls and immediately followed by a squeel bugle and some raking and wait patiently for the next 30 minutes. You will know it's time to hit some other cool North facing thick hiding/bedding spots after about 50 minutes of no actions.

One bull we harvested just came in quietly with no sounds after sending out the soft cow calls. On a different occasion, a bull came in quietly after softly glunking 4 times.

On several occasions, the herd bull will respond immediately right after the squeel bugle. At this time, you have him right where you wanted and can play to his reaction whether it be aggressive attack or other tactics.

It does not work all the time but it keeps us busy during late morning and early afternoon when things are kind of slow.

Where we hunt, if the elk are there and you do not make something happen, someone else will most likely push them away.

Good Luck.

[WapitiTalk1]

I like your thinking mongopino915 and obviously, it has rewarded you with elk in the past. I'm with you brother; he's right there, set up and see if you can take somebody home for dinner. I've employed the same philosophy a handfull of times and this has created some very, very close encounters. If nobody wants to play, move on. No harm, no foul.

[BRazz]

Where we hunt, if the elk are there and you do not make something happen, someone else will most likely push them away.

Couldn't agree more. I've never killed one in their bedding area but I've been plenty unsuccessful trying to wait until dusk/early evening. Can't hurt (me anyway) to try something so long as the wind is halfway doable.