Cool Calling

[JGH]

I understand the concept of "Cold Calling", i.e. calling in an area elk are likely to be, but their presence is not certain.

What about "Cool Calling"? That is, calling in an area where their presence is known, but their exact location is not.

For example, there is an east-facing slope where I hunt. It is heavily timbered, but the valley floor has a nice creek and some small grazing areas, and the upper portion is steep and rocky. There are several small, open patches here and there, and I can glass the area from a near-by west-facing slope. At times, I've seen bulls walking across the openings in late morning, and heard them bugling at mid-day from the timber.

I've thought about going after them, but I'm not confident enough to know their location real well. All I know is that they are there somewhere, and the area is probably 1/2 mile across.

Could a guy go in, starting on the edge, and "Cold/Cool Call" moving through that 1/2 mile about 200 yards at a time, maybe moving every hour?

If so, how would you handle this situation?

[LarryBud]

Good question. I'm intested in what our Board experts have to say on this one.

[cnelk]

First off, there are reasons that the elk are there.
And that is the wind is ALWAYS in their favor, and they havent been disturbed.

You will need to go up there in the off season and check the wind currents and possible ambush spots.
Once the wind timing is known, then you can make a plan.

You may have to be above and to the side of them until the morning wind shifts, then work in.

This may be a classic example where stealth over-rules calling

[JohnFitzgerald]

When I cold call, I always assume elk are around. How proficient are you at a bugle and cow calls?

My advice is to get to the edge about 1/2 hour before light and locate bugle. Following tactic will determine if you get a response. If you do get a response go after him. If your not sure of location, stop every 100 yards and locate again. When pressuring a bull like this you have to use terrain and basic elk knowledge. Listen to his bugles and try to interpret herd or satellite bull, both need to be worked differently. Also try to get a read on weather he's still moving or if he's stopped. Usually, the last place he bugled is his bed.

If you don't get a response work the cold calling setups as you would normally do will a few exceptions. My general rule of thumb for cold calling setup is if I'm in a proven elk area(audio or visual identification), the distance between calling setups will be closer and the time spent in setup is greater. Sometime my calling setups are no more than 50 yards apart. Just depends on terrain and timber thickness.

Bulls go quiet on me all the time before I can get close. Get in the general area and work the cold call setups. Start simple and if you don't get a response, ramp it up another level.

Good luck and remember the 7 golden elk calling rules. Paint that picture in the bulls mind and you will be successful.

My 2-cents!

[bnsafe]

ok, what are the 7 golden rules of elk calling

[JohnFitzgerald]

ok, what are the 7 golden rules of elk calling

viewtopic.php?p=27884#p27884

[welka]

Might sound obvious, but really think about why the elk are where you see or know they are. A natural tendency is to head in after them, but they have all the advantages and you really need to think about the wind, when it changes, time of day, where water might be, how close food is, etc and then make your best guess on an attack plan. They have a survival knack of figuring out where the wind collects and they can still see other ares for predators. Even with all things considered, your best guess will still often be wrong, but at least you made and attempt and might get lucky versus the low success rate of charging in. Good luck.

[JohnFitzgerald]

Might sound obvious, but really think about why the elk are where you see or know they are. A natural tendency is to head in after them, but they have all the advantages and you really need to think about the wind, when it changes, time of day, where water might be, how close food is, etc and then make your best guess on an attack plan. They have a survival knack of figuring out where the wind collects and they can still see other ares for predators. Even with all things considered, your best guess will still often be wrong, but at least you made and attempt and might get lucky versus the low success rate of charging in. Good luck.

I agree with this comment but I need to add that curiosity and an instinct to breed every cow gives hunters and edge over most bulls. Working the wind should always be a given....no exceptions!

[bnsafe]

thx john, I remembered the thread as soon as I clicked on it.

[JGH]

Thanks for the answers.

Cnelk, I plan on scouting it this weekend. There is one major "saddle" to the top that leads to good grazing. This might be a set up spot for mornings or evenings, depending on wind and thermals. I'm excited to check that out.

Here's another way to ask the question:

Suppose you send out a Location Bugle, and hear an answer, but can only localize it to within 400 yards or so. Can cold-calling through the area work?

[JohnFitzgerald]

If you can only pin point to 400 yards then your too far away. Chasing a vocal bull is a great opportunity, but if it's an elky area you might bump other elk as you push. I will always go hard and fast when chasing until the woods go quiet. The "possibility" of elk never out ways hunting a vocal bull.

So should cold call your way in? You can, but you have a high chance of loosing the bull that's answering you.