What would you do?

[adamds22]

Archery hunting in CO up at around 10500 ft. two hunters

Day 1: Got into a new area that I've hunted before but not very often, tough to get to but not impossible. We didn't realize how long it would take us to hike into our area so by the time we got to where we wanted to be it was like and had been light for about an hour or so. Got to a ridge line and heard a bugle over another ridge and started going towards it. Got within I'd say about 100 yards, still couldn't see it but it was still bugling every 5-10 minutes or so. I got my hunting partner set up and let out two soft cow calls, got a response within a min from the bull and heard some cows respond as well. Sounded like the bull was making his way towards us but still could not see him. Then heard a bunch of bugles off in the distance and it seemed like the turned our guy around and he started heading away. I tried another cow call and then tried to interrupt his response with a bugle of my own but to be honest I'm not great a bugling, anyway never saw him or his cows but were definitely close.

Day 2: Got in a lot earlier, were in the same location we were the day before when we heard the first bugle a good hour before sun up. As soon as we got up there we heard the bugling begin, coming from generally the same location. Started hiking towards it in the dark, again got within 150 or so yards of him, he was bugling every 5-10 minutes, chuckling etc and it was off and on raining. During the heavier parts of rain it seems as though he kind of stopped but as soon as it would let up he'd sound off again and again. We called to him a few times with some cow calls and he'd respond but didn't seem to be moving much. Then we heard some ATV's somewhat near by and that was the last of his bugles, pushed the cows the same way. Walked to where he was found the beds and the general direction he vacated the area. Which seemed to be the same way he did the morning before.

I'll be hunting alone in the same area tomorrow and I have the option of doing the same general thing, getting into the area I found them the other two days I've hunted this area but I may be behind them again. Would it be better to try to get in front of them and try to set up at the same elevation to avoid the thermals messing things up and just set up without calling if I find him in the same area to and hope I'm on his exit route? Or do I try the same strategy from a different location? I know I'll have to play the wind/thermals, it will be a week later so maybe I can get him to commit easier this week by trying the same approach? Thoughts?

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

He is calling you to him and won't leave what he already has. If your not confident in your calling I would get there before them. If they are already there I would get as close as possible(60 to 80 yards). Throw one or two mews behind you low volume and then rake a tree. Move up 20 yards if you can after you get done raking.

[six]

Try to get as close as you possibly can without being busted and let out a few cow calls. If he has been answering your calls you must be doing something right. If you don't have faith in your calling. Try stalking him or set up in next to his exit route.

[WYO_ELK]

get closer and rip the loudest nastiest challenge bugle you can. he will have to make a decision, fight or flee. he won't want to get shown up by another bull in front of his ladies. he'll want to fight.

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