3rd season Bugling

[six]

My group ended up hunting 3rd season this year. Well on November 1st I found myself listening to 4 bugling bulls for about 45 minutes as they serenaded me along with a couple hundred cows on private ground next to where I could hunt. I never would have guessed I would hear a bugle let along non stop bugling so late in the season.

Can I get some your guys thoughts on this.

I did throw out some lost calf sounds as it was all I could think of at the time. It really got everyone fired up but they wouldn't come across the fence.

[saddlesore]

There are always some cows that don't get bred in the first go around and the bulls could be reacting to those. I have heard bulls bugling late like that, but never a full three note bugle

[Swede]

Six, I have a very similar situation to what you describe. I have tried to call the elk off the ranch. Even after I have filled my tag, I go and "play" with them to see if I can coax one off. My advise is to go hunt somewhere else and don't waste your time. They will call back to you all you want, but they don't come. Especially they would not leave a cow in estrus, for some lost calf. They told you where they were. That was enough, if you were lost and looking for them.

[ElkNut1]

Cows have 4 cycles they go through yearly. 1st- late Aug. to early Sept. this is by the oldest cows around. 2nd cycle is peak rut/estrus Sept 12-25. 3rd cycle mid Oct. 4th cycle early Nov. -- There's just less cows at this later date that haven't conceived! Right place right time can get you into great rutting action as if it were mid Sept.

Distance is a huge factor that you are attempting to draw these elk away in Nov. Inside 200 yards is your best opportunity. After that distance it's a real crap shoot at best! What sounds should you attempt? The very ones that brought those elk together in the 1st place! It wasn't a classic bugle or lost cow sound, it was sounds elk use when breeding is in the air, a hot cow or more than one was present there! If distance is doable & you can get a good setup where elk must come into range before seeing the source of your calling go straight to a breeding Sequence! Folks, this is what brought those elk together! Imitate that exact method for a solid 30-40 minutes & it is very possible to pull a bull your way especially the satellites. This would have been my # 1 way to coax them over, no guarantees but you will have a good chance in doing so!

As swede says, if distance is great move on! (grin)

ElkNut1

[six]

Thank you Elknut, Swede, Saddlesore

As always I love hearing words of wisdom on the site. It was a real treat for me spending the morning listening to all the elk talking. I actually learned a lot. After I gave up trying to call them off private I just started practicing by mimicking what the cows were saying. This helped me a lot listening to the real thing. I had no idea just how vocal elk really are. Now I just need to understand their language and I will be all set. Looks like I'll have about 350 days to get that done.

[six]

saddlesore

Sent you a PM.

[ElkNut1]

Mark, it's great to hear cows talking & learning from them for sure but keep in mind the key factor in imitating a breeding sequence are the bull sounds! The Lip bawl is your # 1 sound in various volumes & length & intensity. Good luck!

ElkNut1

[saddlesore]

Not particular 3rd season breeding/bugling but I forget. What is the sound that an elk makes when it comes in and wants the elk that is calling ( you) to show themselves. My CD's got burned in the big fire down here two years ago

[WapitiTalk1]

Nervous or popping grunt It's not just an in-coming elk that will do it but any elk that demands a visual on what they've seen or heard.

[saddlesore]

Thanks. That has screwed me up recently. I need to get it down right before next year