How to Dislodge a Herd Bull

[WapitiTalk1]

He's right there! You've worked in close to a bull with cows right after daybreak. You've done a good job to this point, ball parking his location the night before hearing but not responding to his vocalization, working the prevailing thermals and/or wind (yes, there is a difference) this fine Elktember morning, and have moved in on game trails so you could get there pretty quickly before he nudges the group on their way from night time feed to morning bedding area. The bull has been very vocal, giving away his location several times. You know your time is limited and the opportunity is waning for this scenario. You're well inside Bullwinkle’s comfort zone (60ish yards or so) and you and your partner decide to............

It's the 24th of September on that Montana hillside. Your move .

[lamrith]

Get partner setup ahead of me playing the wind and throwing a set cow calls out, maybe a little whiney pitchy estrus buzz and wait, make that bull think there is a new hot chick in town, or one of his harem is ready to go, like NOW.

If no movement to that probably right into Threat level 2/3. Make another set of whiney/estrus cow calls behind me facing away and roll it into distress calls. Stomping and racking branches, then turn and bugle right at the bull with some chuckle finish. Make that Herd bull think a young runt bull is in his herd, just came in and stole his girl on prom night and is heading to the hotel room...

Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled 360* too, as that runty bull might just sneak in quiet.. Then you have to decide if you choot the satelite or herd bull. If spook satelite, use it to your advantage. You can use his running off and do a bit more real cow in distress calling and a come here bull bugle behind you really sell it that a cow is running/being chased off by another bull...

[Swede]

I would be more cautious. I would start with a cow call. If he tries to call me in, then move forward a little and hit him with a bugle and thrash a tree followed by a cow in pain sound.
As Forest Gump says, "elk hunting is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get." It kinda depends on the elk you are after and where you hunt them.

[Kentrek]

I would probably keep getting as close as the cover let me if hes making a big fuss all on his own....just keep on getting closer and closer then do something similar to swede and try some sleezy calf talk and get those cows all worked up...see how he reacts and go from there

I do enjoy getting extra close and letting out a very quiet half whine spiker bugle tho....just barely enough gut to it to let him know it's a bull...did this exact scenario last year a few times while under 40 yards and boy did I think he was going to rip me to shreds !!

[Trophyhill]

Going straight at him, cow calling my way in if necessary. If I can get under 75 yards or closer, preferably under 40, it's time to rake or challenge or both. Tough by yourself but can be done with terrain in your favor.

[Tigger]

I keep the caller behind and give some soft cow sounds. I may ramp it up in intensity if nothing happens. If I can get any closer easily, I do, but I would like him to commit to our relationship a little too. It can't be me doing all the work all the time.

[twinkieman]

He's a herd bull, so most likely, I'm going to use my bugle. I'm inside 60 yds., so he will have to deal with this wiseass bull. My first bugle would be a low volume lipbawl, like I'm brazen enough to try and call his cows away from him. I would follow immediately with raking, displaying to his cows. This should make him see red pretty quickly, and at this distance, I feel fight rather than flight, will be his response. What he says or does will trigger what I say next.

[mongopino915]

He's a herd bull, so most likely, I'm going to use my bugle. I'm inside 60 yds., so he will have to deal with this wiseass bull. My first bugle would be a low volume lipbawl, like I'm brazen enough to try and call his cows away from him. I would follow immediately with raking, displaying to his cows. This should make him see red pretty quickly, and at this distance, I feel fight rather than flight, will be his response. What he says or does will trigger what I say next.

This ^^^^^^. Being that it is late in the season, the cows should be in heat. A normal scene for the herd is that the bull is always positioned upwind of the cows so when approaching from down wind, you have the cows in the way. When you are already in the zone, cow calling is the last thing on my mind and just asking for trouble. Give him nice hefty lipbawl followed by some glunking and make him Fight to defend his ladies or Flight. If you think that the bull is going take a flight, you are playing it too safe.

When it comes to vocal herd bull late in the season, just get it over with in under 1 minute. Go big or go home.

[Russel Reed]

Don't say a word. Just sneak in and set up on the first cow you come to within your shooting range and play the waiting game. Sooner or later the bull will come around and check all of the cows for signs of estrus. When he comes to check the cow you are set up on, whack him...