Buzz

[JGH]

When is this sound best used? What is its "meaning" or "content"?

I see it is referred to by ElkNut as an "Estrous Buzz". How much "estrous"-ness are we talking about here? Is it a sound specific to being in heat?

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

Buzz is a warning, It means back off or get bit. OOPS! Thats a buzz worm. LOL!

Honestly I have never seen any evidence that would indicate to me that the buzz you are talking about has anything to do with being in estrus. I have seen it used by younger animals that seemed anxious or lost and looking for companionship.

As a matter off fact, there is a video on Youtube that shows this exact thing. It shows a glimps of a bull in the sequence. If that cow had been in estrus, he would have been sniffing her up like herion. But instead of that he just went away after he saw what all the comotion was about.

Others may differ with me but this is JMHO! I'll see if I can find the video and post it here.

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrW-OAn8VA4

Here ya go! notice how this cow seems to be lost and looking or asking for help or companionship. The bull sure didn't show any interest in her. This is the same thing I have noticed in the wild myself.

[Swede]

I agree with WW's assessment. I think it would be better to refer to the sound as an "Excited Buzz". In the video the cow is lost and looking for her herd. That satellite bull is not her bull, and she is not hanging around for him. She reminds of a lady or two I used to date. She is not interested and is not looking back.

[ElkNut1]

John, please read this info I put together under the "ElkNut Tips" Forum, it will answer your question. Thanks!

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=30

The video depicts this young cow looking for the elk she heard from a distance as these two hunters imitated a small group of cows over there. The cow is not lost, she is looking for direction as to where this group is she just heard. The Estrus Buzz sound is looking for direction or giving a direction to other elk, it is used as an invite as well. -- I racked my brain 10 years ago when I 1st came upon this sound as to apply a name to it, I came up with nothing I liked to represent this Buzz, yes I thought of excited buzz as well but did not like it! (grin) I'm still searching! (grin)

It's a unique & effective sound, we use this as a Location sound at times & have also brought in several elk, both bulls & cows with it.

ElkNut1

[JGH]

Would it be useful as a mid-day blind-calling setup, perhaps near, but not in a bedding area?

Or, to gain the attention of moving elk seen by chance 150 yards away?

[Swede]

I agree with Paul on this. I should not have said the cow was "lost". As a matter of fact I don't know that elk ever "get lost". The word "separated" would have been better. Paul is also correct to observe that we see something and try to interpret the meaning. Paul must have heard this sound as lot more than I. When I have heard it, the cow never seemed to be in heat.
Paul I am still not sure why it is referred to as an "estrus" buzz? You make a perfect case for why it should not have that name and why it is misleading.

[ElkNut1]

swede, I knew what you meant! (grin) I explained the sound further for any of the lurkers out there so there was no confusion!

JGH, We've called in a variety of elk with the blind/cold calling setup with this sound so yes it can work very well with persistent use.

With a group elk 150 yds out I would most likely watch them & do my best to get a direction of their travels, I would not call to them at that point, if morning they are headed to bedding, if evening to feeding, midday they will not venture far from initial bedding, possibly re-bed in cooler spot. I like getting in their way instead of calling them over to an area they have no plans of going too. It is best to go to their destination area if you know where it is, this is where they are very callable. You must appreciate that once you are in their area they may call you over to where they're at, this means they most likely will not come over to you so you must do as they ask & go to them. This is possible as long as you have cover & wind for a close encounter approach so you sounds wisely here.

Whatever you do, do not try to call them to you if they are in a large opening & you are scantily obscured by timber/brush or a rock. They will stare your area down & your odds are not good, they will most likely move off because they see no elk representing your sounds. Be patient & try the above method!

ElkNut1

[Swede]

One time, I saw a doe squawking very much like the cow in the video does. After about a minute, I had a chance to see what had her excited and acting the way she did. She had a cougar after her. At first I did not see the cat, and thought she was just nuts. The doe did not leave the area right away but blew and squawked for quite awhile. I did not have a great view of the incident even though it took place only about 100 yards away. I do not know if the cougar got her fawn. I took a shot at the kitty soon, when it came by my tree stand for a drink. I put an arrow through it, but never found it dead.