Lets talk cows

[Steve G]

Most of the discussions on this forum and nearly all forms of media focus on hunting bulls. Being new to hunting elk, I am eager for my first success and would be just as happy taking a cow as I would a bull. So with that in mind does anybody suggest that a bow hunter adopt a different strategy (during the archery season) for increasing his odds of taking a cow elk, or is it a matter of using the same strategies for locating a bull and just taking whatever shot presents itself first?

[Toby]

This is a great topic. I always hunt bulls, but would take a cow under the right circumstances. To me, it is easier to kill a bull then it is a cow. They are easier to locate by their bugles and are frequently alone, less eyes to pick you off, and seem to come to calls more frequently. I am very interested in hearing some of our more experienced guys chime in on this.

[Ghost]

Moooo

[ElkNut1]

Steve, we've called in 100's of cows over the years by using bugling, cow talk-mom & junior, separated calf, blind/cold calling with cow sounds with 3-4 different sounding cows, estrus buzz with a strong mid volume range & last but not least (my favorite) Re-gathering cow whines & mews! This one has brought in more cows & quickly than any of the other sounds used! If I wanted to take a cow I'd consider a couple as favorites but the Re-gathering one tops the list!

ElkNut1

[easeup]

one of the good things about archery hunts are the either sex tags. that in itself allows one to maximize the opportunity at hand.
If you are able to spot some cows just out feeding, many times just cow talking a little every 5 min will steer that lead cow to sort of come in your direction. give them time to work your direction depending on how far out they are and you'll be packing meat out the next day.

[Steve G]

Thanks. Keep them coming.

[ElkNut1]

Of course in my above info it was directed at calling cows, it seems to be the funnest! (grin)

Other areas of consideration which can produce very good results is glassing elk early & late, get up high where glassing is best & where elk should be, check the cows direction & trails of travel, get them dialed in & ambush hem as they use these daily trails. Another, find their water sources & sit! Another, mineral licks - man-made or natural ones & ambush there. Of course I have a favorite of this too! (grin) Find trails that come up to dirt roads & where they go across the other side, look for the ones with the freshest elk tracks & set a trail camera on them 100yds back off the road so no one sees it. I choose areas that have heavy timber where these trails cross as this gives the elk concealment right up to the roads & they can quickly scamper across into fairly decent cover! Check out a couple photos here where these trails come up to the road or over it, they are easy to find once you start looking for them. You can even set the cameras up during your hunt if you live to far away to pre-scout with the cameras. The cameras will tell you what time of day the elk are crossing there, get the wind right & sit the best used one!

Check out these couple of photos where they are right next to the road, you'll see where a cow urinated in one of them, look for fresh sign on ones like these & place camera, bingo, you will find elk using them & could even have a bull in the group, your camera will tell! (grin) By the way I have 100's of photos of cows at these very crossings!

ElkNut1