Elk Barks

[>>>---WW---->]

Don't know if I mentioned it before or not, but, I want to do a series of various elk sounds. How you use them, what you think they may mean, and if you think they are useful or not at all in the elk woods. So moving on from cow sounds let's hear what you guys think about barks? I'll give you my honest opinion to kick it off. Let's hear yours!

Now a lot of guys will tell you there are two kinds of barks that elk make. Warning barks and nervous barks. Well, maybe so. But how can you tell the difference. Some say a nervous bark is much higher pitched and sharper and a warning bark is much deeper sounding. I don't know! But I do know that elk are no different than people or dogs. Some may be baritones while others may be sopranos. And as far as I'm concerned it doesn't make much difference which type of bark you use. They both demand the exact same thing. Stop, be on alert, look around! And I'll almost guarantee that when you bark an elk will slam on the breaks and look. Works 99.999% of the time. And it doesn't seem to matter how close or how far away they are. THEY WILL STOP!!!

An example: Back when I used to guide rifle hunters I would use this bark call to stop elk so my hunter could get a shot off. I remember one time we were sitting on one side of a canyon and we had spotted a bull over on the opposant rim about 300 or so yards away. He was moving and I could tell he wanted to come down and cross the bottom of the canyon and come up our side. My hunter wanted to take the shot. But, I convinced to wait because there was an old two track road in the bottom and I would stop the bull for a shot when he reached the road which was only 100 yards from us. That way, we would be able to drive the truck right up to him and load him up. Well, sure enough, just before the bull reached the road, I give out a good loud bark and he stopped right in his tracks. After the guy shot him, he gave me that wide eyed (Well I'll be darn) look. He couldn't believe what I had just done to stop that bull.

Try it! I'll bet you'll have the same results. Now lets hear what the rest of you think.

[Swede]

I have learned how to tell the "nervous" bark and the "alarm/warning" bark. If the elk sticks around after barking, he is nervous. They usually continue to bark unless they get wise to you and leave. If the critter takes off running and the other elk with it, it was an alarm/warning bark. Simple.
As WW says; elk have different voices, the vegetation and terrain make sounds differ too. There is your difference in the barks.

[WapitiTalk1]

Another really good thread WW. I may be wrong, I’ve been wrong before. But … in my experience, “ nervous” barks are normally only one perhaps two, followed by an identifiable pause by the critter signifying that the Elk is looking to see something or listening to hear something from what he believes “may” be an elk. If a hunter does not respond in a way (verbally or physically) satisfying the elk’s curiosity as to what is there, the bull will be gone. Alarm barks? Yes, sir, my experiences bag is full of those. I found that they are normally given sequentially several at a time up to many as the Elk slowly moves away…he or she is signifying that there’s definitely danger close (Predator/human) and is telling his/her patriots that it’s time to move on! I personally am a huge fan of using the nervous bark to stop big stinky and his tracks to potentially give my hunting buddy a shot… the time has to be right.

[Swede]

If a hunter does not respond in a way (verbally or physically) satisfying the elk’s curiosity as to what is there, the bull will be gone.

I agreed with you up to the point where I highlighted and quoted you above. When I was hunting with you several years ago, I had a bull barking above me on the hill off and on for several hours. (10:00AM -4:00PM.) I have had elk bark for multiple times on several occasions, but that critter was by far the longest barker I have experienced.
BTW that was at the same location the bear was shot by the fellow that went home a day or so later. I have forgotten his name.

[WapitiTalk1]

If a hunter does not respond in a way (verbally or physically) satisfying the elk’s curiosity as to what is there, the bull will be gone.

I agreed with you up to the point where I highlighted and quoted you above. When I was hunting with you several years ago, I had a bull barking above me on the hill off and on for several hours. (10:00AM -4:00PM.) I have had elk bark for multiple times on several occasions, but that critter was by far the longest barker I have experienced.
BTW that was at the same location the bear was shot by the fellow that went home a day or so later. I have forgotten his name.

Ha, I remember that chatty Cathy Bull. I’m not quite sure what his deal was. Maybe there is another type of bark somewhere between an alarm and nervous bark. A curiosity bark…? Ya the bear shooter was Larry. I haven’t heard from him in some time. I know they were looking to move to Idaho a few years back.

[Swede]

The bull was 60-70 yards off as best I could tell. I never saw him but was not sure he could not see me if I moved. I never called or stood up for fear of being busted. I always thought he was nervous, maybe incorrectly, so I tried to just wait him out. He finally walked downhill and away and out of my life forever. I think I would have enjoyed shooting him but that is hunting.

[>>>---WW---->]

Thanks a lot guys for your response and explanation of what you feel various different barks may mean. That's the main reason for my series of elk sound post so others may learn or simply start thinking about what elk are saying or doing based on different sounds they make. But the main thing I want to point out is regardless of what type of bark they make, it will make them throw on the brakes for a shot.

[Lefty]

I have learned how to tell the "nervous" bark and the "alarm/warning" bark. If the elk sticks around after barking, he is nervous. They usually continue to bark unless they get wise to you and leave. If the critter takes off running and the other elk with it, it was an alarm/warning bark. Simple.
.

Swede you nailed it,, again