Situational Training

by **WapitiTalk1** » 05 30, 2013 • [Post 1]

What just happened in this video clip? Take a stab at narrating what just occurred in this short video recording of a couple of hunters calling in a bull. What was the bull saying or asking for? What were the hunters doing and saying that pulled the six point in? Do you think this was a lone bull or was he cowed up? RJ

by **>>>---WW---->** » 05 30, 2013 • [Post 2]

I think the bull was a loner trolling for cows. The hunters didn't do anything special other than to mock him. And in the end, all they ended up doing was to educate the bull. He won't be so easy next time.

I don't want to make anyone mad so I won't tell you what I really think!!!!!!!!!!

by **WapitiTalk1** » 05 30, 2013 • [Post 3]

Yeah, I don't know why the hunters in the video ended the situation the way they did. Aside from the obvious "why didn't they shoot" question, I think the clip is a good sequence to promote some discussion.

by **JohnFitzgerald** » 05 30, 2013 • [Post 4]

I agree with WW. Probably not the best idea to educate a bull like that.

Hard to sum it up without having a little more video. But if I had to guess I would say he wasn't cow'd up.

For both bull and caller, very inventational setup.

by **slim9300** » 05 30, 2013 • [Post 5]

JohnFitzgerald wrote:I agree with WW. Probably not the best idea to educate a bull like that.

Hard sum it up without having a little more video. But if I had to guess I would say he wasn't cow'd up.

For both bull and caller, very inventational setup.

It's WA and it takes 20+ years to draw the tag. They were just having some fun.

by **elkmtngear** » 05 30, 2013 • [Post 6]

Bull seemed to come in non-aggressively, even though the callers were doing a lot of raking. Makes me agree with WW...lone troller.

Sounded like the bull was trying to call what he thought was a loose cow initially, and the callers just echoed whatever he was doing.

Seemed to work very well

by **RockChucker30** » 05 30, 2013 • [Post 7]

The bull sounded like he was chuckling to a cow, and there was someone behind the camera raking a tree and stomping around. My guess is they hit him with some cow calls, he responded but then hung up, so the rear caller ran back a little ways and chuckled, then started raking. That got the real bull to come on in and try to swipe the cow he now thinks is between himself and the other bull.

I think the cameraman spoke to him in order to avoid being stepped on.

by **cnelk** » 05 30, 2013 • [Post 8]

I thinks its amazing that the bull took the EXACT path in his retreat as he did in his approach

by **slim9300** » 05 30, 2013 • [Post 9]

RockChucker30 wrote:The bull sounded like he was chuckling to a cow, and there was someone behind the camera raking a tree and stomping around. My guess is they hit him with some cow calls, he responded but then hung up, so the rear caller ran back a little ways and chuckled, then started raking. That got the real bull to come on in and try to swipe the cow he now thinks is between himself and the other bull.

I think the cameraman spoke to him in order to avoid being stepped on.

I think this is dead on. Some impressive man-made chuckles too.

by **slim9300** » 05 30, 2013 • [Post 10]

cnelk wrote:I thinks its amazing that the bull took the EXACT path in his retreat as he did in his approach

Yep. Tells me he may be a herd bull headed back to his cows.

by **JohnFitzgerald** » 05 30, 2013 • [Post 11]

slim9300 wrote:
cnelk wrote:I thinks its amazing that the bull took the EXACT path in his retreat as he did in his approach

Yep. Tells me he may be a herd bull headed back to his cows.

To me, the bull ran in the opposite direction of his threat.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 05 30, 2013 • [Post 12]

Anyone else? From info provided/seen, do you think this was a lone bull or a cowed up bull. He certainly didn't have the wild eyes and mannerisms like an aggressed herd bull that has been challenged too close to his harem. Does everyone agree that the initial noise heard was a bull calling (chuckling) cows to him? Although it appeared to work, do you think the hunters provided the correct incentive for the bull to come in for a herd bull? For a lone bull? More feedback please

by **otcWill** » 05 31, 2013 • [Post 13]

It's WA and it takes 20+ years to draw the tag. They were just having some fun.[/quote]

Sure looks like fun but, though enjoyable, it's really not at all applicable to what the rest of us are trying to call in. I have the opp through my job to call to unpressured elk like this and it is typical to call 5-10 different bulls to close range within an hour. They'll come to anything it seems and that is on my lunch break so certainly not a great time to call in bulls. We could analyze this one all day but the fact is, in units like these bulls will come to a whistle, literally.

by **slim9300** » 05 31, 2013 • [Post 14]

otcWill wrote:Sure looks like fun but, though enjoyable, it's really not at all applicable to what the rest of us are trying to call in. I have the opp through my job to call to unpressured elk like this and it is typical to call 5-10 different bulls to close range within an hour. They'll come to anything it seems and that is on my lunch break so certainly not a great time to call in bulls. We could analyze this one all day but the fact is, in units like these bulls will come to a whistle, literally.

Sort of, but they actually allow cow and spike hunters in basically all Eastside special permit areas during archery (same dates as the special permit holders). These elk get a ton of hunting pressure unless you are getting way back (which is pretty typical everywhere).

by **Trophyhill** » 05 31, 2013 • [Post 15]

Phantom16 wrote:Anyone else? From info provided/seen, do you think this was a lone bull or a cowed up bull. He certainly didn't have the wild eyes and mannerisms like an aggressed herd bull that has been challenged too close to his harem. Does everyone agree that the initial noise heard was a bull calling (chuckling) cows to him? Although it appeared to work, do you think the hunters provided the correct incentive for the bull to come in for a herd bull? For a lone bull? More feedback please

obviously they were looking for a bigger bull. i'm leaning toward thinking that by calling the bull in they were hoping he was a bigger bull. I like Bills take on this.

by **>>>---WW---->** » 06 01, 2013 • [Post 16]

Someone mentioned that they were surprised that when the bull spooked, he went back in the same direction he had come from.

I'm not surprised by that reaction at all. After all, he had just come through there and it was a safe escape path with no bugers in the way. What we don't know is why did the bull chuckle in the first place. We have no idea of what went on or what sounds may have been used prior to what was filmed. But I think I'll stand by my guns about these guys just mocking the bull. And this particular bull possibly could have been called in with other sounds as well.